# Minn. R. Civ. P. 3: Commencement of the Action; Service of the Complaint; Filing of the Action

> Minnesota · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R3

## Section

- **Citation:** Minn. R. Civ. P. 3
- **Heading:** Commencement of the Action; Service of the Complaint; Filing of the Action
- **Jurisdiction:** Minnesota
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Minnesota Court Rules / Rules of Civil Procedure / Rule 3

## Text

3.01 Commencement of the Action A civil action is commenced against each defendant: (a) when the summons is served upon that defendant; or (b) at the date of signing a waiver of service pursuant to Rule 4.05 ; or (c) when the summons is delivered for service to the sheriff in the county where the defendant resides personally, by U.S. Mail (postage prepaid), by commercial courier with proof of delivery, or by electronic means consented to by the sheriff's office either in writing or electronically; but such delivery shall be ineffectual unless within 60 days thereafter the summons is actually served on that defendant or the first publication thereof is made. Filing requirements are set forth in Rule 5.04 , which requires filing with the court within one year after commencement for non-family cases. (Amended effective July 1, 2013; amended effective July 1, 2015; amended effective July 1, 2018; amended effective September 1, 2020.) 3.02 Service of Complaint A copy of the complaint shall be served with the summons, except when the service is by publication as provided in Rule 4.04 .

## Nearby sections

- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 1 Scope of Rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R1.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 2 One Form of Action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R2.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 3 Commencement of the Action; Service of the Complaint; Filing of the Action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R3.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 4 Service](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R4.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 5 Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Documents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R5.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 5A Notice of Constitutional Challenge to a Statute](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R5A.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 6 Time](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R6.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 7 Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R7.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 8 General Rules of Pleading](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R8.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 9 Pleading Special Matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R9.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 10 Form of Pleadings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R10.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 11 Signing of Pleadings, Motions, and Other Documents; Representations to Court; Sanctions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R11.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 12 Defenses and Objections; When and How Presented; By Pleading or Motion; Motion for Judgment on Pleadings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R12.md)
- [Minn. R. Civ. P. 13 Counterclaim and Cross-Claim](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MN_CP_R3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.