Zuniga v. United States Secretary of State Department of Homeland Security et al

Filing 32

ORDER denying 31 Motion for free copies of documents. Signed by District Judge Louise Wood Flanagan on 2/24/2023. A copy of this Order has been sent via US mail to Carlos Ruben Zuniga, 34086-177 at Allenwood Low - F.C.I., P.O. Box 1000, White Deer, PA 17887 (Collins, S.)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
NORTHERN DIVISION
NO. 2:17-CV-11-FL-1
CARLOS RUBEN ZUNIGA
v.
UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF
STATE, DIRECTOR OF THE VISA
NATIONAL CENTER, and
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY,
Defendants.

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ORDER

This matter is before the court on plaintiff’s motion for free copies (DE 31). Plaintiff states
that he seeks a copy of the first five pages of his complaint, without exhibits, and he has no funds
to pay for such copies.
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1914(b), the “clerk shall collect from the parties such . . . fees only as
are prescribed by the Judicial Conference of the United States.” The Judicial Conference Schedule
of Fees, District Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, appended to the statute, provides that the
following “fees in the District Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule are to be charged for services
provided by the district courts”: “For reproducing any record and providing a copy in paper form,
$.50 per page.” 28 U.S.C. § 1914, District Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, n. 4.
Defendant has not shown good cause for the court’s provision of free copies. The Judicial
Conference Schedule of Fees reflects the expense required for generating paper copies of
documents by the court. Accordingly, the court DENIES defendant’s motion for free copies. (DE
31). If defendant seeks copies of his complaint, without exhibits, he may obtain such copies from

the court by making a check or money order in the amount of $3.50,1 payable to Clerk, U.S. District
Court and mailed to the address below:
Attention: Copy Request System
United States Clerk’s Office
P.O. Box 25670
Raleigh, NC 27611
SO ORDERED, this the 24th day of February, 2023.

_____________________________
LOUISE W. FLANAGAN
United States District Judge

1

Plaintiff’s complaint, without exhibits, comprises seven pages. (See DE 1-1 at 1-7). In the event plaintiff
seeks copies of only the first five pages of his complaint, then the amount to be remitted for copies is $2.50.

2