Rule 11.Parties represented by an attorney: Signing, certification, and verification

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

In one sentenceTrial Rule 11 requires every pleading, motion, or other submission by a party with a lawyer to be signed by an attorney of record, treats that signature as a certification that the filing is grounded in fact and law and cites only authentic authority, lets the court strike filings that do not comply, and sets Indiana’s affirmation form for verified documents.

Full Text of Rule 11

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

(A) Signature. Every pleading, motion, or other submission to the court by a party represented by an attorney must be signed by at least one attorney of record in the attorney's individual name, whose address, telephone number, and attorney number must be stated, except that this provision does not apply to pleadings, motions, and other submissions made and transcribed at the trial or a hearing before the judge and received by the judge in such form. Except when specifically required by rule, pleadings, motions, or other submissions need not be verified or accompanied by affidavit.

(B) Certification. The signature of an attorney certifies that the attorney has read the pleading, motion, or other submission; that to the best of the attorney’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.

(C) 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.

(D) Verification by affirmation or representation. When in connection with any civil or special statutory proceeding it is required that any pleading, motion, petition, supporting affidavit, or other document be verified, or that an oath be taken, it is sufficient if the subscriber simply affirms the truth of the matter to be verified by an affirmation or representation in substantially the following language: “I (we) affirm, under the penalties for perjury, that the foregoing representation(s) is (are) true. (Signed) ____________” Any person who falsifies an affirmation or representation of fact is subject to the same penalties as are prescribed by law for the making of a false affidavit.

(E) Verified pleadings, motions, and affidavits as evidence. Pleadings, motions and affidavits accompanying or in support of such pleadings or motions when required to be verified or under oath must be accepted as a representation that the signer had personal knowledge thereof or reasonable cause to believe the existence of the facts or matters stated or alleged therein; and, if otherwise competent or acceptable as evidence, may be admitted as evidence of the facts or matters stated or alleged therein when it is so provided in these rules, by statute or other law, or to the extent the writing or signature expressly purports to be made upon the signer’s personal knowledge. When such pleadings, motions and affidavits are verified or under oath they must not require other or greater proof on the part of the adverse party than if not verified or not under oath unless expressly provided otherwise by these rules, statute or other law. Affidavits upon motions for summary judgment under Rule 56 and in denial of execution under Rule 9.2 must be made upon personal knowledge.

(F) Scope. This rule applies to all pleadings, motions, and other submissions to the court by parties represented by an attorney, including without limitation those prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence, the internet, or other resources.

End

Amendment History

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

Plain-English Summary

Rule 11 is about accountability for what a lawyer files. Since August 1, 2026 it governs parties represented by an attorney; parties without one follow Rule 11.1. Section (F) makes the reach plain: the rule applies to every pleading, motion, and other submission by a represented party, including anything prepared with the help of artificial intelligence, the internet, or other resources.

Section (A) sets the signing duty. At least one attorney of record must sign in the attorney’s individual name and list an address, telephone number, and attorney number. The one exception covers pleadings, motions, and other submissions made and transcribed at trial or at a hearing and received by the judge in that form. Unless a rule specifically requires it, nothing filed needs to be verified or backed by an affidavit.

Section (B) gives the signature its weight. By signing, the attorney certifies having read the filing; that, to the best of the attorney’s 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 extend, modify, or reverse it or to make new law; that any cited legal authority is authentic; and that it is not presented to delay or harass. Section (C) backs that up: the court may strike any filing that does not comply, and may take similar action on redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter.

Sections (D) and (E) cover verification. When a pleading, motion, petition, affidavit, or other document must be verified, or an oath taken, a written affirmation under the penalties for perjury, in substantially the language the rule gives, is enough; falsifying it carries the same penalties as a false affidavit. A verified filing is accepted as a representation that the signer had personal knowledge or reasonable cause to believe the facts stated, may come in as evidence only where a rule, statute, or the writing itself allows, and does not force the other side to produce more proof than usual. Affidavits on summary judgment and affidavits denying execution under Rule 9.2 must rest on personal knowledge. Rule 11.2 adds a separate procedure for abusive litigants, and Rule 11.2(E) leaves the court’s power under Rule 11(C) in place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has to sign a filing when a party has a lawyer?

At least one attorney of record, signing in the attorney’s individual name and listing an address, telephone number, and attorney number. The requirement does not apply to pleadings, motions, and other submissions made and transcribed at trial or at a hearing and received by the judge in that form.

What does an attorney’s signature certify under Indiana’s Rule 11?

That the attorney read the filing; that its facts have evidentiary support (or likely will after investigation or discovery, if identified that way); that its denials are warranted or reasonably based on belief or lack of information; that its legal arguments rest on existing law or a nonfrivolous argument to change it; that every cited legal authority is authentic; and that it is not presented to delay or harass.

Does Rule 11 apply to filings drafted with artificial intelligence?

Yes. Rule 11(F) says the rule applies to all submissions by represented parties, including those prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence, the internet, or other resources. The signing attorney still certifies that every legal authority cited is authentic.

What can a court do with a filing that violates Rule 11?

Rule 11(C) lets the court strike any filing that does not comply with the rule, and take similar action on redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter. A filer whose conduct rises to the level of an abusive litigant can face broader restrictions and sanctions under Rule 11.2.

Do I need a notary to verify a pleading in Indiana?

No. Rule 11(D) lets you use a written affirmation under the penalties for perjury, in substantially the language the rule sets out, in place of a formal oath. Falsifying it carries the same penalties as a false affidavit.

Does a verified pleading count as evidence at trial?

Only where a rule, statute, or other law provides for it, or where the writing expressly says it is made on the signer’s personal knowledge, and only if it is otherwise competent evidence. Verification does not require the other side to produce more proof than it would against an unverified pleading, unless a rule or statute says otherwise.

What if the party filing doesn’t have a lawyer?

Rule 11.1 governs instead. It has its own signing requirements and the same certification, and Rule 11.1(E) applies Rule 11(D) and 11(E) to parties without an attorney.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure (T.R. 11). 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

Also known as: trial rule 11 indianawho must sign a pleading in indianaattorney certification of pleading indianaverification of pleading indianaaffirmation under penalty of perjury indiananotarized affidavit alternative indiana courtai generated court filing indiana attorney