Where does a file number come from?

• A. The plaintiff assigns a file number
• B. The clerk selects a random number
• C. The file number is created automatically after filing
• D. The court assigns a file number to a case when it is first filed

Answer: (D)

In civil procedure, a case is given its official identifier at the moment it is filed. The court, usually through the clerk in the filing system, assigns a unique file or docket number to the case. This number is used on every document and record for the life of the case, ensuring consistent tracking and retrieval. The plaintiff does not choose this number, and it isn’t created after filing or chosen randomly; it’s established by the court’s system right when the case is filed to keep the docket organized and unique.