AO 85A

Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Dispositive Motion to a Magistrate Judge

Agency
U.S. Courts
Revision
Rev. 02/17
Fillable fields
22
Pages
1
Official source
U.S. Courts form page
Checked
October 20, 2026
Fill AO 85A online
Page 1 of form AO 85A

AO 85A: Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Dispositive Motion to a Magistrate Judge

AO 85A, Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Dispositive Motion to a Magistrate Judge, is a one-page United States District Court form for a civil action. The U.S. Courts list it under Civil Forms. The current version is Rev. 02/17, and the U.S. Courts page lists it as effective on February 1, 2017.

The form has three parts. A notice says a United States magistrate judge of the court is available to conduct all proceedings and enter a final order dispositive of each motion. A consent block lists the motions by document number and title and holds the printed names, signatures and dates of the parties or attorneys who consent. A reference order, signed by the district judge, refers the motions under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). The form says a magistrate judge may exercise this authority only if all parties voluntarily consent.

This page explains the form in plain words and is not legal advice. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.

Top of page 1 of AO 85A: Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Dispositive Motion to a Magistrate Judge, as printed by COURTS

What's on AO 85A

Caption

The district, the plaintiff, the defendant and the civil action number.

Notice of a magistrate judge's availability

A magistrate judge is available to conduct all proceedings and enter a final order dispositive of each motion, only if all parties voluntarily consent.

Withholding consent

The form says consent may be withheld without adverse substantive consequences, and the name of any party withholding consent will not be revealed to any judge who may otherwise be involved with the case.

Motions and consent

The Motions lines identify each motion by document number and title. The parties listed consent to have a magistrate judge conduct any and all proceedings and enter a final order as to each motion, with printed names, signatures and dates.

Reference Order

IT IS ORDERED that the motions are referred to a magistrate judge in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), with the date and the district judge's signature, printed name and title.

How AO 85A is filled out

  1. 1

    Fill in the caption

    Enter the district, the plaintiff, the defendant and the civil action number.

  2. 2

    Identify each motion

    The form asks for each motion to be identified by document number and title on the Motions lines.

    Identify each motion on page 1 of AO 85A: Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Dispositive Motion to a Magistrate Judge, as printed by COURTS
  3. 3

    Parties or attorneys sign

    Each consenting party or attorney prints a name, signs and dates the consent block.

  4. 4

    Return it to the clerk

    The note says to return the form to the clerk of court only if consenting, and not to return it to a judge.

  5. 5

    District judge signs the order

    The Reference Order is dated and signed by the district judge, with a printed name and title.

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Where it goes, fees and formats

Where it goes

The note says: "Return this form to the clerk of court only if you are consenting to the exercise of jurisdiction by a United States magistrate judge. Do not return this form to a judge."

All parties

The form says a magistrate judge may exercise this authority only if all parties voluntarily consent.

Fees

The form does not print a fee.

Format

The U.S. Courts page offers AO 85A as a PDF.

Related forms

Who uses AO 85A?

  • Parties and their attorneys

    The consent block has columns for printed names of parties and attorneys, their signatures and dates. The form says a party may consent or withhold consent without adverse substantive consequences.

  • The district judge

    The Reference Order is dated and signed by the district judge, with a printed name and title.

  • The magistrate judge

    The order refers the motions to a United States magistrate judge to conduct all proceedings and enter a final order on the motions identified.

  • The clerk of court

    The note at the bottom says to return the form to the clerk of court only if consenting to the exercise of jurisdiction by a United States magistrate judge, and not to return it to a judge.

The form names who signs the consent, who signs the order and where the form goes.

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Questions about Form AO 85A

What does AO 85A do?

It gives notice that a United States magistrate judge is available, records the consent of the parties to have a magistrate judge conduct all proceedings and enter a final order on the motions listed, and holds the district judge's reference order.

How are the motions listed?

The form asks for each motion to be identified by document number and title on the Motions lines.

Do all parties have to consent?

The form says a magistrate judge may exercise this authority only if all parties voluntarily consent.

Where is AO 85A returned?

To the clerk of court, and only if the party is consenting. The form says not to return it to a judge.

How is AO 85A different from AO 85?

AO 85A covers the dispositive motions it lists. AO 85 covers all proceedings in a civil action, including trial and final judgment.

Is this page legal advice?

No. This page explains what the printed form says in plain words and does not say whether anyone should consent.