A real federal jury summons envelope looks like government mail: the issuing court’s name and address sit in the upper left corner, the printed phrases “Official Business” and “Penalty for Private Use, $300” appear where postage would normally go, and many envelopes carry a court seal.1U.S. Government Accountability Office. Postal Service’s Method for Billing Federal Agencies for Penalty Mail Those three features together are the strongest signal that what you’re holding is an actual court order and not junk mail or a scam.
The Outside of the Envelope
The return address identifies the issuing court by its full name and usually names a specific office inside it, such as “Jury Administration” or “Clerk of Court.” Federal government mail is classified as penalty mail, so instead of a stamp or meter mark you’ll see the printed “Official Business” and “Penalty for Private Use, $300” language. A printed or embossed court seal often appears as well.
The envelope itself has no required color or size. Some are standard white security envelopes, some are manila, and some run slightly oversized to fit the questionnaire inside. Don’t try to judge authenticity by the envelope’s look. Judge it by the return address and the penalty mail markings, which are hard to fake convincingly.
Delivery method isn’t a reliable tell either. Federal law allows jury summonses to go out by first-class, registered, or certified mail.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1866 – Selection and Summoning of Jury Panels Most courts default to first-class because they mail thousands of summonses at a time, so a plain envelope with no signature required is normal. If a court doesn’t hear back, it may escalate to certified mail or have a U.S. Marshal deliver the summons in person.3U.S. Marshals Service. Juror Summons
What You’ll Find Inside
Open a real summons and you’ll find two documents. The first is the summons itself, printed on court letterhead, giving the reporting date, time, and location, usually down to the specific jury assembly room in the courthouse. It carries a unique juror participant number you’ll use for check-in and any follow-up contact.
The second is a Juror Qualification Questionnaire, which the court uses to confirm you’re eligible to serve.4United States Courts. Juror Qualifications, Exemptions and Excuses Many federal courts now let you complete it through the eJuror online portal rather than by mail. Logging in takes the nine-digit participant number from your form, the first three letters of your last name, and your date of birth. The package includes instructions for both the paper and online options.
How to Tell a Scam From the Real Thing
One rule covers most cases: real jury summonses arrive by mail. If someone contacts you by phone, email, or text saying you missed jury duty and owe a fine, it’s a scam. Courts don’t operate that way. A real court will never call to demand immediate payment or threaten you with arrest unless you pay on the spot, and it will never ask for your Social Security number, bank details, or other financial information over the phone.
Scam calls can sound convincing. The caller may know your name, claim to be from a specific courthouse, and say a warrant has been issued. The giveaway is usually the payment method: scammers insist on gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps because those are untraceable. Real courts handle noncompliance through a formal show-cause process in writing, not a phone call demanding a credit card number.
If a summons looks off, verify it. Look up the court’s phone number yourself through uscourts.gov or your state court system’s website, call the Clerk of Court’s office directly, and ask them to confirm. Don’t use a phone number printed on the suspicious letter or given to you by a caller.
What to Do Once You’ve Confirmed It’s Real
Complete and return the Juror Qualification Questionnaire by the deadline printed on the summons, which typically falls within five to ten days of receipt.5United States District Court. Am I Required to Complete and Return the Juror Qualification Questionnaire Return it even if you think you qualify for an exemption; the form is how you tell the court that.
Before your reporting date, follow the court’s instructions for confirming you’re still needed. Most courts have you call an automated line or check a website the evening before. Dockets shift as cases settle or get continued, and the recording will tell you whether your group is still expected.6United States District Court Southern District of New York. Why Must I Call the Evening Before I Appear for Jury Duty Skip the check and you may show up on a day your group was excused, or miss a day you were needed. When you do report, bring the summons and a valid photo ID; staff need your participant number for check-in.
Deferrals and Moves
The summons package explains how to request a deferral when the scheduled date creates a genuine hardship, such as being the sole caregiver for someone who can’t care for themselves, a medical condition that makes service risky, serious financial hardship from missing work, or recent prior jury service. Judges often ask for documentation like a doctor’s note or an employer letter, so include it with the request. A deferral moves your service; it doesn’t cancel it.
If you’ve moved out of the judicial district since the summons was mailed, call the Clerk of Court’s office. You generally can’t serve in a district where you no longer live, but you still need to tell the court rather than ignore the mailing.
Why It’s Worth Verifying Quickly
Ignoring a real summons has teeth. Federal law allows a court to fine you up to $1,000, jail you for up to three days, order community service, or impose some combination of the three if you fail to appear and can’t show good cause.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1866 – Selection and Summoning of Jury Panels Courts usually send a warning letter before escalating, but that isn’t guaranteed. Treating the envelope as junk because you weren’t sure is the exact mistake the enforcement rules are built to catch.