Adopted June 25, 1946 · Last amended April 12, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1024 requires a pleading that contains an averment of fact not appearing of record, or a denial of fact, to be verified as true upon the signer’s personal knowledge or information and belief, with the verification ordinarily made by a party.
(a)Every pleading containing an averment of fact not appearing of record in the action or containing a denial of fact shall state that the averment or denial is true upon the signer’s personal knowledge or information and belief and shall be verified. The signer need not aver the source of the information or expectation of ability to prove the averment or denial at the trial. A pleading may be verified upon personal knowledge as to a part and upon information and belief as to the remainder.
(b)If a pleading contains averments which are inconsistent in fact, the verification shall state that the signer has been unable after reasonable investigation to ascertain which of the inconsistent averments, specifying them, are true but that the signer has knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief that one of them is true.
(c)The verification shall be made by one or more of the parties filing the pleading unless all the parties (1) lack sufficient knowledge or information, or (2) are outside the jurisdiction of the court and the verification of none of them can be obtained within the time allowed for filing the pleading. In such cases, the verification may be made by any person having sufficient knowledge or information and belief and shall set forth the source of the person’s information as to matters not stated upon his or her own knowledge and the reason why the verification is not made by a party.
End
Plain-English Summary
This rule sets when a pleading must be sworn to. A pleading that contains an averment of fact not appearing of record, or a denial of fact, must state that the averment or denial is true upon the signer’s personal knowledge or information and belief.
The verification ordinarily comes from a party. It is made by one or more of the parties filing the pleading, unless all the parties lack sufficient knowledge or information or are outside the jurisdiction, in which case another person with knowledge may verify, explaining why a party did not.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a pleading have to be verified?
When it contains an averment of fact not of record or a denial of fact. The verification states that the matter is true on personal knowledge or information and belief, and is ordinarily made by a party.
Official Note
Official Note: See Definition Rule 76 for definition of ‘‘verified.’’
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 1024 adopted June 25, 1946, effective January 1, 1947; amended October 16, 1981, effective October 16, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 3687; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2266. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (234004) and (246959).
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as:verificationverified pleadingsworn pleading