Form 4-204 NMRA
Form 4-204. Civil summons.
[For use with Rules 2-202 and 3-202 NMRA]
STATE OF NEW MEXICO
________________ COURT
________________ COUNTY
_______________________________, Plaintiff,
v.
No. __________
Judge assigned: ___________________
_______________________________, Defendant.
CIVIL SUMMONS
TO: ________________________________________________________, Defendant1
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________
GREETINGS: THIS IS A COURT-ISSUED SUMMONS.
A LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST YOU. A copy of the lawsuit (complaint) and
a response form (answer form)2 are attached.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT
WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS AFTER THE SUMMONS HAS BEEN SERVED ON YOU.
You must file (in person or by mail) your written response with the court. When you file
your response, you must give or mail a copy to the person who signed the complaint.
IF YOU DO NOT FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE WITH THE COURT WITHIN THE
TWENTY (20) DAY PERIOD, NO COURT DATE WILL BE SET, AND THE COURT
MAY ENTER A DEFAULT JUDGMENT AGAINST YOU FOR THE MONEY OR OTHER
RELIEF REQUESTED IN THE COMPLAINT. A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MEANS YOU
LOSE THE CASE AND YOU OWE THE PLAINTIFF.
IF YOU DO NOT FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE WITH THE COURT YOU MAY BE
GIVING UP ANY DEFENSES YOU MAY HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT YOU DO NOT
OWE THE PLAINTIFF OR THAT TOO MUCH TIME HAS PASSED.
You may wish to consult a lawyer. For help finding a lawyer, you may consult the online
bar directory on the State Bar of New Mexico’s website at https://www.sbnm.org/For-
Public/I-Need-a-Lawyer/Online-Bar-Directory.
You are entitled to a jury trial in most types of lawsuits. To get a jury trial, you must
request one in your written response, and you must pay a jury fee when you file your
response.
If you need an interpreter, you must ask the court for one in writing.
Your answer must be filed with the court, which is located at:
____________________________________________________ (street address of
court)
A copy of your answer or responsive pleading must be mailed to: (name and address of
plaintiff or plaintiff's attorney)
Name: ________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________
_______________________
Clerk
RETURN
STATE OF NEW MEXICO
)
) ss
COUNTY OF _____________
)
(complete the following, unless service by sheriff or deputy)3
I, being sworn, state that I am over the age of eighteen (18) years and not a party to this
lawsuit, and that I served this summons in __________________ county on the
________ day of ______________, ________, by delivering a copy of this summons, a
copy of the complaint, and an answer (indicate below how served):
(complete if service by sheriff or deputy)3
I certify that I served this summons in __________________ county on the ________
day of ______________, ________, by delivering a copy of this summons, a copy of
the complaint, and an answer form in the following manner:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
(person serving summons must check one box and fill in appropriate blanks)
[ ]
by delivering a copy of this summons, a copy of the complaint, and an answer
form to the defendant, __________________ (used when defendant receives copy of
summons or refuses to receive summons).
[ ]
by delivering a copy of this summons, a copy of the complaint, and an answer
form to __________________, a person over fifteen (15) years of age and residing at
the usual home of the defendant, __________________, located at
______________________________ (address) (used when defendant is not presently
at the home).
[ ]
by posting a copy of the summons, complaint, and an answer form in the most
public part of the usual home of __________________ (name of defendant) located at
_______________________ (address) (used if no person found at home or usual place
of residence).
(If service is by posting, a copy of the summons, complaint, and an answer form must
also be mailed to the person served. The person serving by posting and the person
serving by mail must each sign a return. The person mailing must check and complete
the certificate of mailing at the end of this summons.)
[ ]
by delivering a copy of this summons, a copy of the complaint, and an answer
form to __________________, an agent authorized to receive service of process for
defendant.
[ ]
by delivering a copy of this summons, a copy of the complaint, and an answer
form to __________________, (parent) (guardian) (custodian) of defendant (used when
defendant is a minor or an incompetent person).
[ ]
by delivering a copy of this summons, a copy of the complaint, and an answer
form to __________________ (name of person), __________________, (title of person
authorized to receive service) (used when defendant is a corporation or an association
subject to a suit under a common name, a land grant board of trustees, the State of
New Mexico or any political subdivision).
[ ]
by service by mail.
Fees: __________________
________________________________
Signature of person making service
________________________________
Title
Subscribed and sworn to
before me this ________
day of ______________, ________
______________________________
Judge, notary, or other officer authorized to administer oaths3
______________________________
Official title
(To be completed if service is made by posting)4
I, being sworn, state that I am over the age of eighteen (18) years and not a party to this
lawsuit, and that I served a copy of this summons on the ________ day of
______________, ________, by mailing first class mail, postage prepaid, a copy of this
summons, a copy of the complaint, and an answer form to:
_______________________________________________ (name of person served)
_______________________________________________ (address where mailed)
_______________________________________________ (county)
_______________________________________________ (city, state, and zip code)
_____________________________________
Signature of person making service
_____________________________________
Title
_____________________________________
Place of mailing
_____________________________________
Date
Subscribed and sworn to
before me this ________
day of ______________, ________
______________________________
Judge, notary, or other officer authorized to administer oaths3
______________________________
Official title
(To be completed if service is made by mail)5
I, being sworn, state that I am over the age of eighteen (18) years, and that I served a
copy of this summons on the ________ day of ______________, ________, by mailing
first class mail, postage prepaid, a copy of this summons, a copy of the complaint, an
answer form, and two (2) copies of the notice and acknowledgment and a return
envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to:
____________________________________________ (name of person served)
____________________________________________ (address where mailed)
____________________________________________ (county)
____________________________________________ (city, state, and zip code)
____________________________________
Signature of person making service
____________________________________
Title
____________________________________
Place of mailing
____________________________________
Date
Subscribed and sworn to
before me this ________
day of ______________, ______
______________________________
Judge, notary, or other officer
authorized to administer oaths3
______________________________
Official title