Opinion ID: 4524788
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: “[F]ederal courts have a duty to consider their subject matter jurisdiction in regard to every case and may raise the issue sua sponte.” Answers in Genesis of Ky., Inc. v. Creation Ministries Int’l, Ltd., 556 F.3d 459, 465 (6th Cir. 2009). Defendant’s Notice of Removal alleges that Defendant is a Rhode Island corporation and that Plaintiffs are residents of either Ohio or Michigan. Additionally, the Notice alleges that the amount in controversy exceeds the statutory -3- Case No. 19-1326, Kelly v. Metropolitan Group Prop. and Cas. Ins. Co. minimum of $75,000 because Kelly claimed over $125,000 in losses from the fire. The Notice, however, did not allege the location of Defendant’s principal place of business, nor did it allege the Plaintiffs’ state of domicile. The district court did not question its subject matter jurisdiction in this matter, finding that based upon the Notice of Removal, “[t]he case was properly removed to this Court on diversity jurisdiction grounds on March 26, 2018.” R. 27, PageID # 487. Because a corporation is a citizen of its state of incorporation and its principal place of business, 28 U.S.C. § 1332, a notice of removal must allege both locations. McGhee v. Hybrid Logistics, Inc., 599 F. App’x 259, 259 (6th Cir. 2015) (per curiam); see also Prime Rate Premium Fin. Corp. v. Larson, 930 F.3d 759, 765 (6th Cir. 2019) (reaffirming McGhee in a published opinion and holding that a complaint filed by a corporation must allege both the state of incorporation and location of its principal place of business). We have also held that an allegation of residence “does not aver citizenship.” Prime Rate, 930 F.3d at 765. Instead, to comply with § 1332, an individual must allege where she is domiciled to establish citizenship in that state, or else the court must dismiss the suit. E.g., id. In the present case, complete diversity cannot be established without confirmation of Defendant’s state of incorporation and principal place of business as well as the Kellys’ domicile. Fortunately, 28 U.S.C. § 1653 provides a simple cure for these otherwise serious jurisdictional issues. That statute provides: “Defective allegations of jurisdiction may be amended, upon terms, in the trial or appellate courts.” 28 U.S.C. § 1653. In light of this, we ordered the parties to show cause as to why this Court should not dismiss Plaintiffs’ appeal for want of jurisdiction. In its response, Metropolitan adequately alleged both its state of incorporation and principal place of business to cure its deficient pleading. Metropolitan has furnished business records and a sworn affidavit from Maura Travers—its Assistant General Counsel and Secretary— -4- Case No. 19-1326, Kelly v. Metropolitan Group Prop. and Cas. Ins. Co. establishing that Metropolitan is incorporated in Rhode Island and has its principal place of business in Rhode Island. Moreover, while the parties dispute in their submissions whether the Kellys are domiciled in Ohio or Michigan, they are diverse from Metropolitan in any event. Therefore, this Court has subject-matter jurisdiction over the instant matter and will proceed to address the merits of Plaintiffs’ appeal.