An application to the court for an order shall be by motion that, unless made during a hearing or trial, shall be made in writing, shall state with particularity the grounds therefor, and shall set forth the relief or order sought. The provisions of other rules related to matters of form of pleading apply to all motions and other filings provided for by these Rules. The requirement of writing is fulfilled if the motion is stated in a written notice of the hearing of the motion.
Rule 55.26.Motions, Form of.
Part I · Rule 55: Pleadings, Motions and Hearing · Last amended July 1, 2024 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceRule 55.26 requires a request for a court order to be made by motion, ordinarily in writing and stating the grounds and relief sought with particularity, though a motion stated during a hearing or in a written hearing notice can also satisfy the rule.
Full Text of Rule 55.26
Amendment History
Adopted Jan. 19, 1973, eff. Sept. 1, 1973; Amended August 15, 2023, eff. July 1, 2024.
Official Comment
This is the same as prior Rule 55.30. Compare: Rule 7(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Plain-English Summary
An application to the court for an order takes the form of a motion. Unless it’s made during a hearing or trial, the motion must be in writing, must state the grounds for it with particularity, and must set forth the relief or order being sought — vague requests don’t satisfy the rule.
Rule 55.26 also extends the rest of Rule 55’s pleading-form provisions to motions and other filings, keeping formatting and content expectations consistent across the case file. And the writing requirement has a practical escape valve: if a motion is stated in a written notice of the hearing on that motion, that notice itself satisfies the writing requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a motion have to be in writing in Missouri courts?
Generally yes, unless it’s made during a hearing or trial, or the motion is stated in a written notice of hearing.
What must a Missouri motion state?
The grounds for the motion with particularity and the relief or order being sought.
Do the pleading form rules apply to motions too?
Yes, Rule 55.26 extends the other rules on the form of pleadings to motions and other filings.
Can a motion made during a hearing be oral?
Yes, the writing requirement doesn’t apply to a motion made during a hearing or trial.
What satisfies the writing requirement if there’s no separate written motion?
A written notice of the hearing on the motion can itself satisfy the writing requirement.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Missouri State & Federal Court Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Missouri. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: motion form requirements Missouriwritten motion rulemotion stated with particularityapplication to the court for an order