# N.C. R. Civ. P. 3: Rule 3. Commencement of action

> North Carolina · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R3

## Section

- **Citation:** N.C. R. Civ. P. 3
- **Heading:** Rule 3. Commencement of action
- **Jurisdiction:** North Carolina
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** North Carolina Court Rules / North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure / N.C. R. Civ. P. 3

## Text

(a) A civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court. The clerk shall enter the date of filing on the original complaint, and such entry shall be prima facie evidence of the date of filing.
A civil action may also be commenced by the issuance of a summons when
(1) A person makes application to the court stating the nature and purpose of his action and requesting permission to file his complaint within 20 days and
(2) The court makes an order stating the nature and purpose of the action and granting the requested permission.
The summons and the court's order shall be served in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4. When the complaint is filed it shall be served in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4 or by registered mail if the plaintiff so elects. If the complaint is not filed within the period specified in the clerk's order, the action shall abate. If electronic filing is available in the county of filing, attorneys shall file in accordance with Rule 5 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts. If electronic filing is available in the county of filing, self-represented litigants who are appropriately registered in the electronic filing system may file electronically in accordance with Rule 5 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts.
(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2017-158, s. 20, effective July 21, 2017. (1967, c. 954, s. 1; 1987, c. 859, s. 2; 2017-158, s. 20; 2020-46, s. 1.)

## Nearby sections

- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 1 Rule 1. Scope of rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R1.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 2 Rule 2. One form of action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R2.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 3 Rule 3. Commencement of action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R3.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 4 Rule 4. Process](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R4.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 5 Rule 5. Service and filing of pleadings and other papers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R5.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 6 Rule 6. Time](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R6.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 7 Rule 7. Pleadings allowed; motions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R7.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 8 Rule 8. General rules of pleadings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R8.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 9 Rule 9. Pleading special matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R9.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 10 Rule 10. Form of pleadings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R10.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 11 Rule 11. Signing and verification of pleadings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R11.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 12 Rule 12. Defenses and objections; when and how presented; by pleading or motion; motion for judgment on pleading](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R12.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 13 Rule 13. Counterclaim and crossclaim](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R13.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 14 Rule 14. Third-party practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.