---
kind: "section"
citation: "Fed. R. Civ. P. Supp. Soc. Sec. R. 4"
title: "28a"
title_heading: "Judicial Personnel Financial Disclosure Requirements"
number: "ss-4"
heading: "Answer; Motions; Time"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/28a/ss-4"
units:
  - "Court Rules — Federal Rules of Civil Procedure"
---

# Rule 4. Answer; Motions; Time

- (a) **Serving the Answer.** An answer must be served on the plaintiff within 60 days after notice of the action is given under Rule 3.
- (b) **The Answer.** An answer may be limited to a certified copy of the administrative record, and to any affirmative defenses under Civil [Rule 8(c)](/usc/28a/ss-8.md). Civil [Rule 8(b)](/usc/28a/ss-8.md) does not apply.
- (c) **Motions Under Civil Rule 12.** A motion under Civil [Rule 12](/usc/28a/app-12.md) must be made within 60 days after notice of the action is given under Rule 3.
- (d) **Time to Answer After a Motion Under Rule 4(c).** Unless the court sets a different time, serving a motion under [Rule 4(c)](#c) alters the time to answer as provided by Civil [Rule 12(a)(4)](/usc/28a/app-12.md).

## Source credit

(As added Apr. 11, 2022, eff. Dec. 1, 2022.)

## Notes

### References in Text

Civil Rules, referred to in subds. (b) to (d), probably means the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which are set out in this Appendix.

### Codification

For discussion of establishment and application of procedure under these supplemental rules, see Committee Notes on Rules—2022, set out as a note under Rule 8.