28 USC § 3012 - Joinder of additional defendant

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t28/s3012"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "28 USC § 3012 - Joinder of additional defendant"
title_number: 28
title_name: "JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "3012"
section_name: "Joinder of additional defendant"
chapter_number: 176
chapter_name: "FEDERAL DEBT COLLECTION PROCEDURE"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS"
part_number: "VI"
part_name: "PARTICULAR PROCEEDINGS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXVI, § 3611, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4938.)"
---


# § 3012. Joinder of additional defendant

The United States or the debtor may join as an additional defendant in an action or proceeding under this chapter any person reasonably believed to owe money (including money owed on account of a requirement to provide goods or services pursuant to a loan or loan guarantee extended under Federal law) to the debtor arising out of the transaction or occurrence giving rise to a debt.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXVI, § 3611, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4938.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective 180 days after , and applicable with respect to certain actions for debts owed the United States pending in court on that effective date, see , set out as a note under .