Rule 1.301 - Commencement of actions; tolling; cover sheet1. 301(1) For all purposes, a civil action is commenced by filing a petition with the court. The date of filing shall determine whether an action has been commenced within the time allowed by statutes for limitation of actions, even though the limitation may inhere in the statute creating the remedy.1. 301(2) A cover sheet available from the clerk of court or from the judicial branch web site (www.iowacourts.gov) must be completed and accompany every civil petition except in small claims, probate, and mental health commitment actions. This requirement is solely for administrative purposes, and matters appearing on the civil cover sheet have no legal effect in the action. The clerk may assist pro se litigants in completing the cover sheet. The cover sheet may be modified from time to time as deemed necessary by the supreme court.Report 1943; amendment 1975; October 31,1997, effective January 24, 1998; December 21, 1999, effective February 1, 2000; October 18, 2000, effective January 2, 2001; November 9, 2001, effective February 15, 2002.