Which element must appear in the caption of every pleading?

• A. The court's name, a title, a file number, and a Rule 7(a) designation
• B. The attorney's bar number and email address
• C. The case's filing date and the judge's name
• D. The docket code only

Answer: (A)

In a pleading, the caption must clearly identify the court, the case, and what kind of document is being filed. That means including the court’s name, the title of the action (the parties), the docket or file number, and a designation that shows the pleading type under Rule 7(a) (for example, “Complaint” or another pleading type). This combination allows the clerk and the judge to immediately recognize where the case is and what document is being submitted.

For example, a typical federal caption would look like: United States District Court for the District of Example; Plaintiff v. Defendant; Case No. 2:24-cv-01234; Complaint.

Attorneys’ bar numbers and email addresses aren’t part of the caption. The filing date and the judge’s name aren’t required in the caption either, and a docket code alone doesn’t convey the necessary court and case identity.