A declaration swearing that statements made in a document are true. Depending on the jurisdiction, verifications are either made under oath or in the presence of a notary public or similarly authorized person. Verifications are traditionally attached to the end of all pleadings that are required to be sworn. Also called affidavit of verification.
See, e.g. Business Guides, Inc. v. Chromatic Commc'ns Enterprises, Inc., 498 U.S. 533 (1991).
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:26 pm
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Fictionland, that I have read the above complaint and know it to be true of my own knowledge, except as to those portions stated upon information and belief, and as to those I believe it to be true.
Executed March 15, 2010, at New City, Fictionland.
(signed) Edith Ericsson, Declarant.
"Defendant has moved that the complaint in this case be stricken on the ground that it is not properly verified."
"The verification reads as follows: 'Tom Mauzay, being first duly sworn, on oath deposes and says: I am the agent of the plaintiff Salina Degree. I have heard read the above and foregoing complaint, and the same is true as I verily believe. I make this verification because the facts therein alleged are within my own knowledge.'"
"Counsel for the defendant contends that an agent is not authorized to make a verification unless his principal is absent from the territory, or unless the action is founded upon a written instrument, but that contention cannot be sustained."
"The verification, however, needs amending in this particular, to wit: Said verification states: 'I make this verification because the facts therein alleged are within my own knowledge.' What facts are within his own knowledge? The answer is, the facts alleged in the verification. The statement of such knowledge is not a compliance with the [governing] statute. The statute requires that the person making the verification must have knowledge of the facts stated in the pleading, not in the verification."
