Received
Received: Has two court meanings. First, a "received" stamp shows the date the clerk took delivery of a paper, which is not always the same as filing it: some papers are received or lodged but not filed, for example a complaint waiting for a fee or a fee-waiver ruling, a proposed order or a document submitted for possible sealing. Practices differ, so check the local rules and the docket to confirm whether and when a paper was filed. Second, at a hearing or trial, an exhibit "received in evidence" has been admitted.
What received means
Put simply, received is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.
Where received comes up
For example, the term appears in these procedures:
- Complaint (Fed. R. Civ. P. 3, 8(a)): the pleading that starts a civil action. Under Rule 3, a civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court.
- Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1)): a request to start a case without prepaying the filing fee because the person cannot afford it.
How to research the term
To research received, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.
You can read the official rule text online for free.
Related legal terms
- Plaintiff: the person or entity that starts a civil lawsuit by filing a complaint.
- Pleading: a formal written statement of a party's claims or defenses. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 7(a), the pleadings are the complaint, the answer, and certain other listed documents. Motions are not pleadings.
- Complaint: the pleading that starts a civil case by stating the plaintiff's claims and the relief requested.
- Caption: the heading of a court document identifying the court, the parties, the case number and the document title.
- Legal name: the name that identifies a person for legal purposes. For an individual, it is generally the name recorded at birth unless lawfully changed, for example by marriage or court order. For a business entity, it is the name in its formation documents.
Why precise terms matter
Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.