Last amended July 15, 1995 · Last verified July 6, 2026
In one sentenceRule 36 lets a party ask another party to formally admit specific facts or the genuineness of documents, and any matter not properly denied within the deadline is treated as conclusively established for the case.
(a)Request for Admission. A party may serve upon any other party a written request for the admission, for purposes of the pending action only, of the truth of any matters within the scope of Rule 26(b)(1) set forth in the request that relate to statements or opinions of fact or of the application of law to fact, including the genuineness of any documents described in the request. Copies of documents shall be served with the request unless they have been or are otherwise furnished or made available for inspection and copying. Without leave of court or written stipulation, requests for admission may not be served before the time specified in Rule 26(d).
Each matter of which an admission is requested shall be separately set forth. The matter is admitted unless, within 30 days after service of the request, or within such shorter or longer time as the court may allow or as the parties may agree to in writing, subject to Rule 29, the party to whom the request is directed serves upon the party requesting the admission a written answer or objection addressed to the matter, signed by the party or by the party’s attorney. If objection is made, the reasons therefor shall be stated. The answer shall specifically deny the matter or set forth in detail the reasons why the answering party cannot truthfully admit or deny the matter. A denial shall fairly meet the substance of the requested admission, and when good faith requires that a party qualify an answer or deny only a part of the matter of which an admission is requested, the party shall specify so much of it as is true and qualify or deny the remainder. An answering party may not give lack of information or knowledge as a reason for failure to admit or deny unless the party states that the party has made reasonable inquiry and that the information known or readily obtainable by the party is insufficient to enable the party to admit or deny. A party who considers that a matter of which an admission has been requested presents a genuine issue for trial may not, on that ground alone, object to the request; the party may, subject to the provisions of Rule 37(c), deny the matter or set forth reasons why the party cannot admit or deny it.
The party who has requested the admissions may move to determine the sufficiency of the answers or objections. Unless the court determines that an objection is justified, it shall order that an answer be served. If the court determines that an answer does not comply with the requirements of this rule, it may order either that the matter is admitted or that an amended answer be served. The court may, in lieu of these orders, determine that final disposition of the request be made at a pretrial conference or at a designated time prior to trial. The provisions of Rule 37(a)(4) apply to the award of expenses incurred in relation to the motion.
(b)Effect of Admission. Any matter admitted under this rule is conclusively established unless the court on motion permits withdrawal or amendment of the admission. Subject to the provisions of Rule 16 governing amendment of a pretrial order, the court may permit withdrawal or amendment when the presentation of the merits of the action will be subserved thereby and the party who obtained the admission fails to satisfy the court that withdrawal or amendment will prejudice the party in maintaining the action or defense on the merits. Any admission made by a party under this rule is for the purpose of the pending action only and is not an admission for any other purpose nor may it be used against the party in any other proceeding.
Amendment History
(Adopted by SCO 5 October 9, 1959; amended by SCO 98 effective September 16, 1968; amended by SCO 158 effective February 15, 1973; by SCO 1153 effective July 15, 1994; and by SCO 1172 effective July 15, 1995)
Plain-English Summary
A party may serve a written request asking another party to admit the truth of specific facts, opinions of fact, or applications of law to fact — including whether a document is genuine — with copies of any referenced documents attached unless already available. Each matter must be listed separately, and it's deemed admitted unless the responding party serves a written answer or objection within 30 days (or a different time set by the court or a written agreement). A denial must specifically address the substance of what's asked and admit or deny as much of it as is true; a party can't claim ignorance as an excuse without showing it made a reasonable inquiry and still couldn't get enough information to answer, and the fact that a matter is disputed isn't by itself a valid objection. If the requesting party thinks an answer or objection is inadequate, it can ask the court to rule on it, and the court can order a proper answer served, deem the matter admitted, or put off a final decision until closer to trial.
Anything admitted under this rule is conclusively established in the case unless the court allows it to be withdrawn or amended, which it will do when doing so serves the merits and the party who obtained the admission can't show it would be prejudiced. An admission made under this rule counts only in the pending case and can't be used against the admitting party in any other proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don't respond to a request for admission?
The matter is deemed admitted if you don't serve a written answer or objection within 30 days, or another deadline set by the court or agreement.
Can I object to a request for admission just because the fact is disputed?
No — a genuine dispute over the fact isn't by itself a valid ground to object; you must either deny it or explain in detail why you can't admit or deny it.
Can an admission be used against me in a different lawsuit?
No, an admission made under Rule 36 applies only to the pending action and can't be used against you in any other proceeding.
Source & verification. The rule text, Amendment History, and Notes are reproduced verbatim from the
official Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure (Alaska R. Civ. P. 36). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Alaska (Alaska Const. art. IV, § 15). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:RFARFAsrequest for admission Alaska civil ruledeemed admitted discovery Alaskawithdrawing an admission Alaska caseAlaska R. Civ. P. 36