Rule 206.3.Verification.

Adopted September 8, 1995 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 206.3 requires a petition or an answer to be verified whenever it contains an allegation of fact that does not already appear of record.

Full Text of Rule 206.3

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A petition or an answer containing an allegation of fact which does not appear of record shall be verified.

End

Plain-English Summary

This short rule sets the verification line for petition practice. If a petition or answer asserts a fact that is not already part of the record, the filing must be verified — backed by oath, affirmation, or the unsworn-falsification penalties.

The trigger is the off-record fact. A paper that argues only from what the record already shows need not be verified; one that introduces new factual matter must be.

Frequently Asked Questions

When must a petition or answer be verified?

Whenever it contains an allegation of fact that does not appear of record. New factual matter must be verified; a filing that relies only on the existing record need not be.

Official Note

Official Note: See Rule 76 for the definition of ‘‘verified.’’

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 206.3 adopted September 8, 1995, effective January 1, 1996, 25 Pa.B. 4092.

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. This rule has not been amended since its adoption. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: verification of petitionverified petition