Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure

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

Effective August 1, 2026

(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.