Rule 57.Signing of Pleadings

Last amended January 1, 2014 · Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 57 requires every pleading to be signed — by at least one attorney of record, with bar number and contact details, or by a self-represented party with the same contact information.

Full Text of Rule 57

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Every pleading of a party represented by an attorney shall be signed by at least one attorney of record in his individual name, with his State Bar of Texas identification number, address, telephone number, email address, and if available, fax number. A party not represented by an attorney shall sign his pleadings, state his address, telephone number, email address, and, if available, fax number.

End

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1990 change: To supply attorney telecopier information with other identifying information on pleadings. Documents telephonically transferred are permitted to be filed under changes in Rule 45.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 57 says who signs a pleading and what they include. A pleading filed by a represented party must be signed by at least one attorney of record, in that attorney's own name, with the State Bar number, address, telephone number, email address, and, if available, fax number. A party without an attorney signs the pleading and gives the same contact information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who must sign a Texas pleading?

At least one attorney of record for a represented party, with bar number and contact details, or the party personally if self-represented. Rule 57 requires the signer's address, phone, email, and fax if available.

What contact information must go on a signed pleading?

For an attorney: the State Bar number, address, telephone number, email address, and fax number if available. Rule 57 requires that same address, phone, email, and fax detail from a self-represented party.

Can more than one attorney sign a Texas pleading?

Rule 57 requires at least one attorney of record to sign in that attorney's own name. It does not bar additional attorneys from also signing.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 57), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: signing of pleadingssignatureattorney signaturepro se signatureTRCP 57