Minnesota Pleading Paper Template
Minnesota requires every page to carry a top margin of not less than one inch, free from all written matter, under Gen. R. Prac. 6. Paper filings must be double spaced on one side of plain, unglazed 8.5 by 11 inch paper. The caption follows RCP 10.01.
Introduction
Minnesota's distinctive format requirement is a clean top margin: under Minnesota General Rules of Practice Rule 6, every page must have a top margin of not less than one inch, free from all typewritten, printed, or other written matter. Minnesota does not use numbered-line pleading paper. Rule 6 also requires that all pleadings or documents that are not filed electronically be double spaced and legibly handwritten, typewritten, or printed on one side on plain, unglazed paper of good texture, in the standard 8 1/2 by 11 inch size. The caption itself is governed not by Rule 6 but by Minn. R. Civ. P. 10.01: every pleading must have a caption setting forth the name of the court and the county in which the action is brought, the title of the action, the court file number if one has been assigned, and a designation as in Rule 7. Because most attorneys now file electronically, the paper-format details in Rule 6 apply mainly to documents that are not e-filed, while electronic filings must meet the state court administrator's format requirements. A document with a crowded top margin or a caption missing the county can be rejected. This page separates what Rule 6 fixes for paper filings from what Rule 10.01 requires in the caption, so you do not guess. DocDraft drafts your document on properly formatted Minnesota court format from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
Key Things to Know
- 1
Minnesota does not use numbered-line pleading paper. Physical format is governed by Minnesota General Rules of Practice Rule 6, and the caption by Minn. R. Civ. P. 10.01.
- 2
Every page must have a top margin of not less than one inch, free from all typewritten, printed, or other written matter (Gen. R. Prac. 6).
- 3
Non-electronically-filed pleadings or documents must be double spaced (Gen. R. Prac. 6).
- 4
Paper filings must be legibly handwritten, typewritten, or printed on one side on plain, unglazed paper of good texture, standard 8 1/2 by 11 inch size (Gen. R. Prac. 6).
- 5
Under Minn. R. Civ. P. 10.01, the caption must set forth the name of the court and the county in which the action is brought, the title of the action, the court file number if one has been assigned, and a designation as in Rule 7.
- 6
Electronic filing through the eFS system has been statewide-mandatory for attorneys, government agencies, guardians ad litem, and sheriffs in all 87 counties since July 1, 2016. Self-represented litigants may use eFS but are not required to.
- 7
Electronic filings must comply with the state court administrator's format requirements; the Rule 6 paper-format details apply to documents that are not filed electronically.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a Pleading Paper in Minnesota, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Pleading Paper guide walks through them.
Open the Pleading Paper guideCustomize your Pleading Paper Template with DocDraft
Minnesota Requirements for Pleading Paper
Every page must have a top margin of not less than one inch, free from all typewritten, printed, or other written matter (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 6). Left, right, and bottom dimensions are not separately stated.
Pleadings or documents not filed electronically must be double spaced (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 6).
Non-electronic filings must be legibly handwritten, typewritten, or printed on one side on plain, unglazed paper of good texture, standard 8 1/2 by 11 inch size (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 6).
Under Minn. R. Civ. P. 10.01, the caption must set forth the name of the court and the county in which the action is brought, the title of the action, the court file number if one has been assigned, and a designation as in Rule 7.
Electronic filings must comply with the state court administrator's format requirements. E-filing through eFS is mandatory for attorneys, government agencies, guardians ad litem, and sheriffs in all 87 counties since July 1, 2016; self-represented litigants may opt in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under Minnesota General Rules of Practice Rule 6, every page must have a top margin of not less than one inch, free from all typewritten, printed, or other written matter. Rule 6 does not separately state a left, right, or bottom margin dimension, so those are not fixed statewide.
Yes, for paper filings. Minnesota General Rules of Practice Rule 6 requires that pleadings or documents not filed electronically be double spaced and printed on one side on plain, unglazed 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. Electronic filings must instead meet the state court administrator's format requirements.
Under Minn. R. Civ. P. 10.01, every pleading must have a caption setting forth the name of the court and the county in which the action is brought, the title of the action, the court file number if one has been assigned, and a designation as in Rule 7. The caption is governed by Rule 10.01, not by Gen. R. Prac. 6.
Electronic filing through the eFS system has been mandatory for attorneys, government agencies, guardians ad litem, and sheriffs in all 87 Minnesota counties since July 1, 2016. Self-represented litigants may use eFS but are not required to file electronically.