Verified complaints are required for certain causes of action. It is good practice for the attorney to have the complaint verified in order to insulate the attorney from improper or untrue allegations by his or her client. See Hillsborough County – 13th Circuit Court SmartRules™ procedural guide: MOTION FOR SANCTIONS.
Unless a rule or statute specifically states otherwise, a pleading need not be verified or accompanied by an affidavit.
(c) A defendant shall file a verified answer within 30 days after the service of the summons and complaint. If service is made by publication and personal service has not been made, a defendant shall file such answer within 30 days of the date of final publication.
When a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, an official state or federal holiday, or a day when the Clerk's Office has been closed per an order posted on the Court's website, the time for filing is extended to the next business day. This rule applies to all filings, including motions for reconsideration.
(c) A defendant shall file a verified answer within 30 days after the service of the summons and complaint. If service is made by publication and personal service has not been made, a defendant shall file such answer within 30 days of the date of final publication.
Typically, a plaintiff verifies a complaint by attaching a page at the end containing a statement made under oath that: The plaintiff has reviewed the complaint. The plaintiff knows or believes that all allegations that the plaintiff has personal knowledge of to be true.
When verification of a document is required, the document filed shall include an oath, affirmation, or the following statement: "Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing, and the facts alleged are true, to the best of my knowledge and belief."
A complaint is considered verified if, in the complaint, the plaintiff swears under penalty of perjury that everything is true and correct. Sometimes the verification will be separate from the complaint; other times it will be included at the end of the Complaint itself.