Unless a rule or statute specifically states otherwise, a pleading need not be verified or accompanied by an affidavit.
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.
(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 filing a lawsuit in California, the original complaint may be either verified or unverified. If it is verified, the plaintiff makes assertions under the pains and penalties of perjury. A verified complaint also forces the defendant to respond to the lawsuit with a verified answer.
Unless a rule or statute specifically states otherwise, a pleading need not be verified or accompanied by an affidavit.
A pleading must be in writing and must be signed by all persons joining in it. All pleadings filed in proceedings under the Probate Code must be verified. If two or more persons join in a pleading, it may be verified by any of them.
If the party is a corporation, then the verification must be made by an officer. CPLR § 3020(d)(1); Smart Code. If the party is a foreign corporation, then the verification may be made by an authorized agent or attorney with personal knowledge of the material allegations of the pleading.
Verification of complaints is largely optional under the CPLR. There are some statutes, however, that require a verified complaint in certain circumstances. See New York Statute Search; see also Overview – Initiating a Special Proceeding.
Verification. (a) Generally. A verification is a statement under oath that the pleading is true to the knowledge of the deponent, except as to matters alleged on information and belief, and that as to those matters he believes it to be true.