Rule 11.1.Parties not represented by an attorney: Signing, certification, and verification

Current through August 1, 2026 · Last verified September 28, 2026

In one sentenceTrial Rule 11.1 sets the signing and certification duties for parties without a lawyer: sign every filing, give a mailing address, telephone number, and available email address unless that information is protected, and certify that the filing is grounded in fact and law and cites only authentic authority.

Full Text of Rule 11.1

Text sizeJump to: (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

(A) Scope. This rule applies to all pleadings, motions, and other submissions to the court by parties not represented by an attorney, including without limitation those prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence, the internet, or other resources.

(B) Signing. A party not represented by an attorney who files a pleading, motion, or other submission must sign it and provide the party’s mailing address, telephone number, and email address, if available, except to the extent the information is protected from public access under the Rules on Access to Court Records or is permitted to be withheld or replaced by a public mailing address under these rules.

(C) Certification. The signature certifies that the signer has read the pleading, motion, or other submission; that to the best of the signer’s knowledge, information, and belief, the factual contentions have evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, will likely have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for investigation or discovery, and denials of factual contentions are warranted on the evidence or reasonably based on belief or lack of information; that the claims, defenses, and other legal contentions are warranted by existing law or a nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing existing law or for establishing new law; that any cited legal authority is authentic; and that it is not presented to delay or harass.

(D) Noncompliant filings. A court may strike any filing not in compliance with this rule. The court may take similar action on any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter.

(E) Other requirements. Rules 11(D) and 11(E) apply to parties not represented by an attorney.

End

Amendment History

This rule’s current text took effect August 1, 2026. The Indiana Supreme Court adopted this rule by order of July 14, 2026 (Cause No. 26S-MS-8), effective August 1, 2026. For the full history of earlier amendments and adoption orders, see the Indiana Office of Court Services.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 11.1 is the companion to Rule 11 for people who represent themselves. Before August 1, 2026, one rule covered both lawyers and self-represented parties; now Rule 11 speaks to parties with an attorney and Rule 11.1 to parties without one. Section (A) makes the reach plain: the rule applies to every pleading, motion, and other submission to the court by a party not represented by an attorney, including anything prepared with the help of artificial intelligence, the internet, or other resources.

Section (B) sets the signing duty. A self-represented party who files anything must sign it and give a mailing address, telephone number, and email address, if one is available. The rule makes an exception for information protected from public access under the Rules on Access to Court Records, and for information these rules allow to be withheld or replaced by a public mailing address.

Section (C) gives the signature its weight. By signing, the filer certifies that they read the filing; that, to the best of their knowledge, information, and belief, its factual contentions have evidentiary support (or are identified as likely to have it after investigation or discovery) and its denials are warranted or reasonably based on belief or lack of information; that its legal contentions are warranted by existing law or a nonfrivolous argument to change it or make new law; that any legal authority it cites is authentic; and that it is not presented to delay or harass. It is the same promise Rule 11 asks of a lawyer.

Section (D) lets the court strike any filing that does not comply, and take similar action on redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter. Section (E) carries over Rule 11(D), the affirmation that can stand in for a sworn oath, and Rule 11(E), which governs verified pleadings, motions, and affidavits as evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rule 11.1 apply to me if I don’t have a lawyer?

Yes. It applies to every pleading, motion, and other submission to the court by a party not represented by an attorney. Parties with a lawyer follow Rule 11 instead.

What information do I have to put on my filings?

Your signature, plus your mailing address, telephone number, and email address if you have one. The rule excuses information that is protected from public access under the Rules on Access to Court Records, or that the Trial Rules let you withhold or replace with a public mailing address.

What am I promising when I sign a filing as a self-represented party?

That you read it; that its facts have evidentiary support or, if you say so, likely will after investigation or discovery; that your denials are warranted or reasonably based on belief or lack of information; that your legal arguments rest on existing law or a nonfrivolous argument to change it; that every legal authority you cite is authentic; and that you are not filing it to delay or harass.

Can I use AI or the internet to help write my court filings?

The rule expressly covers filings prepared with the help of artificial intelligence, the internet, or other resources, so the same duties apply. Your signature still certifies that every legal authority you cite is authentic, so check each case and statute before you file.

What happens if my filing doesn’t follow Rule 11.1?

The court may strike it, and it may take similar action on redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter. A pattern of problems, such as repetitive claims or fictitious citations, can also lead to an abusive-litigant finding under Rule 11.2.

Can I verify a filing without a notary?

Yes. Rule 11.1(E) applies Rule 11(D) to self-represented parties, so where a filing must be verified you can use the written affirmation under the penalties for perjury that Rule 11(D) sets out.

How does Rule 11.1 differ from Rule 11?

Mostly in the signing details. Rule 11 requires a lawyer to sign in the lawyer’s individual name and list an address, telephone number, and attorney number. Rule 11.1 requires the party’s own signature with a mailing address, telephone number, and email address if available, while protecting confidential information. The certification is the same, and under both rules the court may strike a filing that does not comply.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure (T.R. 11.1). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Indiana, under its inherent constitutional rulemaking power (reaffirmed by Ind. Code 34-8-1-1 and 34-8-2-1); originally enacted by the Indiana General Assembly in 1969. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 28, 2026. · Official source

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