# Dist.R.Civ.P. 3: Rule 3. Commencement of Action

> Rhode Island · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R3

## Section

- **Citation:** Dist.R.Civ.P. 3
- **Heading:** Rule 3. Commencement of Action
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Rhode Island Court Rules / District Court / District Court Civil Rules / Dist.R.Civ.P. 3

## Text

A civil action is commenced by the filing of a
complaint and all other required documents together with the fees prescribed by law.
Incarcerated individuals, attorneys who are granted a waiver pursuant to Art. X, Rule
3(c) of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules Governing Electronic Filing, and self-
represented litigants who do not elect to electronically file pursuant to Art. X, Rule
3(b) may deposit the complaint and all other required documents with said fee in the
mail addressed to the clerk or file the documents at the clerk's office.

## Nearby sections

- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 1 Rule 1. Scope of Rules and Mandatory Electronic Filing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R1.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 2 Rule 2. One Form of Action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R2.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 3 Rule 3. Commencement of Action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R3.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 4 Rule 4. Process, Attachment, Trustee Process, Arrest](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R4.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 5 Rule 5. Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R5.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 6 Rule 6. Time](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R6.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 7 Rule 7. Pleadings Allowed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R7.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 8 Rule 8. General Rules of Pleading](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R8.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 9 Rule 9. Pleading Special Matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R9.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 10 Rule 10. Form of Pleadings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R10.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 11 Rule 11. Signing of Pleadings, Motions, and other papers; Sanctions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R11.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 12 Rule 12. Defenses and Objections](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R12.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 13 Rule 13. Counterclaim and Cross-claim](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R13.md)
- [Dist.R.Civ.P. 14 Rule 14. Third-party Practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_DISTCIV_R3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.