(a) Any pleading, although not required to be sworn to, may be verified by the oath of the party filing it or of any other person or persons having knowledge of the facts pleaded. Corporations may verify by the oath of any officer or agent having knowledge of the facts. If any pleading is so verified, every subsequent pleading must also be verified, unless verification is excused by the court. In pleadings which are so verified, the several matters stated shall be stated positively or upon information and belief only, according to the fact. Verified allegations do not constitute evidence except by way of admission.
2-605.Verification of pleadings.
Article II. Civil Practice · Part 6. Pleading · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceA pleading in an Illinois case may be verified by oath, and once one pleading is verified, every later pleading in the case must be too unless the court excuses it.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/2-605
(b) The allegation of the execution or assignment of any written instrument is admitted unless denied in a pleading verified by oath, except in cases in which verification is excused by the court. If the party making the denial is not the person alleged to have executed or assigned the instrument, the denial may be made on the information and belief of that party.
Plain-English Summary
Verification is optional until a party invokes it -- but once invoked, it becomes the standard for the rest of the case. Subsection (a) lets any pleading, though not required to be sworn, be verified by the filing party, a corporate officer or agent with knowledge of the facts, or anyone else with personal knowledge. After that first verified pleading, every subsequent pleading in the case must be verified too, unless the court excuses it. Verified statements must be made positively or on information and belief, matching the underlying facts, and verified allegations are not themselves evidence except as admissions.
Subsection (b) attaches a real consequence to verification in one specific context: an allegation that a written instrument was executed or assigned is treated as admitted unless a party denies it in a pleading verified by oath. A party who did not sign or assign the instrument can still deny it on information and belief.
Verification matters most where it interacts with other sections in this Part -- the bill-of-particulars admission rule in 2-607(c), for instance, and the exhibit rule in 2-606, both of which turn in part on whether a pleading has been sworn to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is verification required for every Illinois pleading?
No. A pleading need not be sworn to. But once a party verifies one pleading in the case, every later pleading must be verified too, unless the court excuses it.
Who can verify a pleading on behalf of a corporation?
Any officer or agent of the corporation who has knowledge of the facts pleaded.
Does a verified allegation count as evidence at trial?
Generally no. Verified allegations do not constitute evidence except by way of admission.
What happens if a party doesn't deny execution of a written instrument under oath?
The allegation that the instrument was executed or assigned is admitted, unless the party denies it in a pleading verified by oath -- or, if the court excuses verification, in the ordinary pleading.
Can a party deny an instrument they didn't personally sign?
Yes. If the party making the denial isn't the person alleged to have executed or assigned the instrument, the denial may rest on that party's information and belief.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 82-280.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: verification of pleadings illinoisverified complaint illinoissworn pleading illinois