CM-010 is the Civil Case Cover Sheet, a Mandatory Form of the Judicial Council of California that a plaintiff files with the first paper in a civil case in a California superior court. It tells the court the case type, whether the case is complex, the remedies sought, the number of causes of action and whether it is a class action. On FillingPDF you can fill out Form CM-010 online and download or print the completed PDF; the court's filing rules, not this page, govern how it is filed.
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What is CM-010?
Civil Case Cover Sheet (CM-010) is the Judicial Council of California form that tells the superior court basic information about a civil case being filed, and that is filed at the beginning of all civil cases except family law cases.
The form is a three-page Mandatory Form. Page 1 holds the caption and the case-type checkboxes of item 1, page 2 the notice and instructions, and page 3 a list of case types with examples, which the form marks as for information purposes only. Items 1 through 6 must be completed: the case type, whether the case is complex under rule 3.400 of the California Rules of Court, the remedies sought, the number of causes of action, whether it is a class action, and a reminder about related cases.
Unless the case is a collections case under rule 3.740 or a complex case, the court uses the cover sheet for statistical purposes only. In complex cases the sheet also carries the complex case designation, and a defendant may answer it with a joinder or a counter-designation.
The form refers to Form CM-015 as the notice of related case you may use when there are known related cases. The form cites Cal. Rules of Court, rules 2.30, 3.220, 3.400–3.403 and 3.740, and Cal. Stds. Jud. Admin., std. 3.10.
Who needs to file CM-010?
Plaintiffs and others filing first papers in a civil case must complete and file CM-010 with that first paper, for example a complaint. The form says it must be filed with the first paper in the action or proceeding, and only with that initial paper.
Other groups use it in specific ways:
- Plaintiffs in complex cases who believe the case is complex under rule 3.400 mark the complex designation in items 1 and 2.
- Parties in rule 3.740 collections cases identify the case as a collections case in item 1. The instructions define it as an action to recover money owed in a sum stated to be certain that is not more than $35,000, exclusive of interest and attorney's fees, arising from a transaction in which property, services, or money was acquired on credit.
- Defendants may file a joinder in the plaintiff's designation, a counter-designation that the case is not complex or, if the plaintiff made no designation, a designation that the case is complex.
Exclusions: the form says it is not filed in small claims cases or in cases filed under the Probate Code, Family Code, or Welfare and Institutions Code. A collections case does not include an action seeking tort damages, punitive damages, recovery of real property, recovery of personal property, or a prejudgment writ of attachment.
When to file CM-010
File CM-010 together with the first paper filed in the action or proceeding, such as the complaint. The form says a cover sheet must be filed only with your initial paper, and that failure to file it with the first paper may result in sanctions under rules 2.30 and 3.220 of the California Rules of Court.
A defendant has its own window: a joinder in the plaintiff's designation, a counter-designation that the case is not complex, or a designation that the case is complex may be filed and served no later than the time of the defendant's first appearance. The form's caption shows this as "Filed with first appearance by defendant."
If the case is complex, or a collections case under rule 3.740, a copy must be served on all other parties. For a complex case designated by the plaintiff, the cover sheet must be served with the complaint. The agency page lists July 1, 2026 as the effective date of this revision.
Documents you need
- Form CM-015 or another notice of related case: file and serve it when there are any known related cases; the form says you may use CM-015.
- Any cover sheet required by local court rule: file it in addition to CM-010 when your court requires one.
- Your first paper in the case, such as the complaint: CM-010 is filed with it, and it is the filing the cover sheet must accompany.
How to fill out CM-010
Enter attorney or party information
At the top left, enter the name, State Bar number, firm name, street address, city, state, ZIP code, telephone, fax, email and the party you represent in "Attorney for (name)". Self-represented parties complete the same block as party without attorney.
Identify the superior court
Enter the county after Superior Court of California, County of, then the court's street address, mailing address, city and ZIP code, and branch name.
Enter the case name
Write the case name in the Case Name box. Leave the For Court Use Only area blank.
Mark the case designation
Check Unlimited (amount demanded exceeds $35,000) or Limited (amount demanded $35,000 or less). Check Complex Case Designation, Counter or Joinder only where they apply, and add the case number, judge and department if known.
Check one case type in item 1
Check one box for the case type that best describes the case. If it fits both a general and a more specific type, check the more specific one; with several causes of action, check the primary one. Page 3 gives examples.
Answer item 2 on complexity
Mark Yes or No for whether the case is complex under rule 3.400. If Yes, mark the factors a through f that require exceptional judicial management.
Check the remedies in item 3
Check all that apply: a. monetary, b. nonmonetary; declaratory or injunctive relief, c. punitive.
Specify causes of action in item 4
In item 4, enter the number of causes of action in the space provided.
Answer item 5 on class actions
Mark Yes or No for whether the case is a class action suit.
Note related cases from item 6
If you know of related cases, file and serve a notice of related case; you may use form CM-015.
Date, sign and download
Enter the date, type or print your name, and sign as party or attorney for party. Review items 1–6, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and file it with your first paper as described under How to submit.
How to submit CM-010
CM-010 is filed with the superior court along with the first paper in the case; the form itself prints no separate address, portal or fee information.
- With the first paper: the plaintiff files the cover sheet with the complaint or other first paper in the Superior Court of California for the county named in the caption.
- Local requirements: the form says to file it in addition to any cover sheet required by local court rule, so check your court's rules.
- Service: if the case is complex under rule 3.400 et seq. or a collections case under rule 3.740, serve a copy of the cover sheet on all other parties to the action or proceeding. A plaintiff's complex designation requires service with the complaint.
- Defendants: a joinder or counter-designation is filed and served no later than the defendant's first appearance.
The printed form advises pressing the Clear button after printing, for your protection and privacy. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the court's channels described above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing the case's first paper without the cover sheet; the form warns that failure to file may result in sanctions under rules 2.30 and 3.220.
- Checking more than one box in item 1. The instructions say to check one box for the case type that best describes the case.
- Choosing a general case type when a more specific one fits; the instructions say to check the more specific box.
- In a case with several causes of action, checking a box that is not the primary cause of action.
- Leaving any of items 1 through 6 blank; the form states these items must be completed.
- Not serving a copy on all other parties when the case is complex or a rule 3.740 collections case.
- Treating a case as a rule 3.740 collections case when it seeks tort damages, punitive damages, recovery of real or personal property, or a prejudgment writ of attachment.
- Submitting the sheet without the date, printed name and signature of the party or attorney.
- Relying on the court's cover sheet requirement being met by CM-010 alone when local court rules require another cover sheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form CM-010 used for?
CM-010 is the Civil Case Cover Sheet that gives a California superior court basic information about a new civil case. It records the case type, complexity, remedies sought, number of causes of action and class action status, and is filed with the first paper in the case.
Who has to file the CM-010 cover sheet?
The plaintiff or other party filing the first paper in a civil case, such as a complaint. The form excludes small claims cases and cases filed under the Probate Code, Family Code, or Welfare and Institutions Code.
When do I file the Civil Case Cover Sheet?
File it with the first paper filed in the action. The form says to file it only with the initial paper, and that failure to file may result in sanctions under rules 2.30 and 3.220 of the California Rules of Court.
Do I have to serve the CM-010 on the other parties?
Only in two situations: if the case is complex under rule 3.400 et seq., or a collections case under rule 3.740, you must serve a copy on all other parties. A plaintiff's complex designation is served with the complaint.
What is a rule 3.740 collections case on the cover sheet?
It is an action to recover money owed in a sum stated to be certain, not more than $35,000 exclusive of interest and attorney's fees, from a transaction in which property, services, or money was acquired on credit. Tort or punitive damages, property recovery and prejudgment attachment actions are not included.
Which box do I check in item 1 if my case fits two case types?
Check the more specific one. The instructions also say to check only one box, and, if the case has multiple causes of action, the box that best indicates the primary cause of action. Page 3 of the form lists examples.
What can a defendant do with the cover sheet?
A defendant may file and serve a joinder in the plaintiff's complex designation, a counter-designation that the case is not complex or, if the plaintiff made no designation, a designation that the case is complex. This must be done no later than its first appearance.
Can I fill out CM-010 online?
You can fill out the CM-010 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not the Judicial Council or a court, and it does not file the form; you file it with the superior court.
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