Opinion
Case No.: 1:12-cv-00471-LJO-SKO
12-18-2012
DESIREE HODGENS, Plaintiff, v. MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
ORDER TO FILE DECLARATION
SUBSTANTIATING PLAINTIFF'S
PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND SHOW
CAUSE WHY THE CASE SHOULD NOT
BE TRANSFERRED
On March 28, 2012, Plaintiff filed the present action in this Court. Plaintiff seeks review of the Commissioner's denial of her application for benefits. In her complaint, Plaintiff asserts that venue is proper in this district because she is a resident of Fresno County. (Docs. 1, 2.) However, the Court finds nothing in the record that indicates Plaintiff currently resides in Fresno County or in a county that is within this district. For example, notice of the Appeals Council's January 31, 2012, denial of review was sent to Plaintiff in San Jose, California. (Administrative Record ("AR") 1.) The hearing before the Administrative Law Judge took place in San Jose, California. (AR 25.) The appointment of representative form that Plaintiff completed reflects that she resides in San Jose, California. (AR 128.)
Federal law is clear on the issue of venue; the claimant must file suit in the judicial district where he or she resides, or has a principal place of business. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). If the claimant files suit in the wrong district, the Court may transfer venue to the proper district. Because the evidence contained in the Administrative Record does not comport with the Civil Cover Sheet Plaintiff submitted as to her place of residence, Plaintiff shall file a declaration under penalty of perjury setting forth her address at the time she filed her complaint and her current address, to the extent it has changed since March 28, 2012. In support of her declaration, Plaintiff shall provide documentary evidence sufficient to establish her residential address at the time she filed her complaint, and her current address to the extent it has changed since March 28, 2012, such as a utility statement. To the extent Plaintiff's place of residence is not within this district, Plaintiff shall show cause why this case should not be transferred to the appropriate district court.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that on or before January 4, 2013:
1. Plaintiff shall file a declaration signed under penalty of perjury setting forth her place of residence at the time she filed her complaint in this matter and her current residential address, to the extent it has changed since March 28, 2012; andIT IS SO ORDERED.
2. To the extent Plaintiff's place of residence is not within this district, Plaintiff shall show cause why this case should not be transferred to the appropriate district court.
Sheila K. Oberto
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE