Service on the defendant must be made within 120 days of filing and obtaining an index number from the County Clerk. Intheblanks form required for any matter originating and electronically filed in Supreme or Surrogate's Courts in Richmond County.A summons must be served with a copy of the complaint. Summons in a Civil Case. Category Forms Required to Start an Action. The Reply must be served at least 10 days before the court date on the summons. Answer: Read your summons carefully and be sure to fill out the "Juror Qualification Questionnaire" at the bottom of the Summons. Defendants must file a written answer to the complaint within 35 days of the date shown on the summons. Identifying the defendants who have been served, the date service was made and any defendants who remain unserved. If you are unable to serve the defendant at least 30 days before the court date, you must advise the court.