(A) Parties Represented by Attorney. Every pleading or motion of a party represented by an attorney shall be signed by at least one [1] attorney of record in his individual name, whose address, telephone number, and attorney number shall be stated, except that this provision shall not apply to pleadings and motions made and transcribed at the trial or a hearing before the judge and received by him in such form. A party who is not represented by an attorney shall sign his pleading and state his address. Except when specifically required by rule, pleadings or motions need not be veri- fied or accompanied by affidavit. The rule in equity that the averments of an answer under oath must be overcome by the testimony of two [2] witnesses or of one [1] witness sustained by corroborating circumstances is abolished. The signature of an attorney constitutes a cer- tificate by him that he has read the pleadings; that to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief, there is good ground to support it; and that it is not interposed for delay. If a pleading or motion is not signed or is signed with intent to defeat the purpose of the rule, it may be stricken as sham and false and the action may proceed as though the pleading had not been served. For a willful violation of this rule an attorney may be subjected to appro- priate disciplinary action. Similar action may be taken if scandalous or indecent matter is inserted.
Rule 11.Signing and verification of pleadings
Current through July 1, 2026 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceTrial Rule 11 requires every pleading and motion to be signed — by an attorney individually or by a self-represented party — treats that signature as a certification of good grounds and good faith, and sets Indiana’s affirmation format for verified documents.
Full Text of Rule 11
(B) Verification by affirmation or representation. When in connection with any civil or special statutory proceeding it is required that any plead- ing, motion, petition, supporting affidavit, or other document of any kind, be verified, or that an oath be taken, it shall be 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 shall be subject to the same penalties as are prescribed by law for the making of a false affidavit.
(C) 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 shall 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 evid- ence, 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 shall 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 shall be made upon per- sonal knowledge.
Amendment History
This rule’s current text took effect January 1, 1993. 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 gets filed in court. Section (A) requires a represented party’s pleadings and motions to be signed by at least one attorney of record, individually, with that attorney’s address, phone number, and attorney number listed — a firm name alone is not enough. A self-represented party must sign personally and list an address. Pleadings and motions do not have to be verified or supported by an affidavit unless some other rule specifically requires it, and an old equity-court rule that required a sworn answer to be overcome by two witnesses, or by one witness plus corroborating circumstances, is abolished.
The signature itself carries legal weight. By signing, an attorney certifies that they read the pleading, that to the best of their knowledge, information, and belief there are good grounds to support it, and that it is not filed to cause delay. An unsigned filing, or one signed with the intent to defeat that purpose, can be struck as sham and false, with the case proceeding as though it had never been filed. A willful violation can expose an attorney to discipline, and the same is true for inserting scandalous or indecent material into a filing.
Sections (B) and (C) cover verification. When some other rule, statute, or proceeding requires a pleading, motion, or affidavit to be verified or sworn, Indiana does not require a formal notarized oath — a written affirmation, made under penalties of perjury, in the language the rule specifies, is enough. Falsifying that affirmation carries the same penalties as making a false affidavit. A verified pleading or affidavit is treated as a representation that the signer had personal knowledge or reasonable cause to believe the facts stated, and it can be used as evidence only to the extent some rule, statute, or the writing itself allows; verification does not, by itself, force the other side to come forward with more proof than usual. Affidavits supporting a summary judgment motion or denying execution of a written instrument must specifically be based on personal knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every pleading need to be signed by an attorney?
If a party is represented, yes — at least one attorney of record must sign individually, with an address, phone number, and attorney number listed. A self-represented party signs personally and lists an address.
What does an attorney’s signature on a pleading certify?
That the attorney read the pleading, believes in good faith that there are good grounds to support it, and is not filing it to cause delay.
What happens if a pleading is not signed?
It can be struck as sham and false, and the case proceeds as though it was never filed. This is usually a correctable problem rather than a fatal one.
Can an attorney get in trouble for filing a bad-faith pleading?
Yes. A willful violation of the signing requirement can lead to disciplinary action, and inserting scandalous or indecent material into a filing can bring the same consequence.
Do I need a notary to verify a pleading in Indiana?
No. Rule 11(B) lets you use a written affirmation made under penalties of perjury, in the language the rule specifies, in place of a formal notarized oath.
Does a verified pleading count as evidence at trial?
Only to the extent a rule, statute, or the writing itself says so. Verification is a representation of personal knowledge or reasonable belief, but it does not automatically prove the facts stated, and it does not require the opposing party to produce more proof than usual.
Does Indiana’s Rule 11 include the same detailed sanctions process as the federal rule?
No. Indiana’s rule is shorter — striking a sham or false pleading and referring an attorney for discipline are the tools built into the rule itself, without the multi-step motion and notice procedure found in the federal sanctions rule.
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 July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
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