Verification is mandatory for which pleadings?

• A. A matrimonial action complaint and an Article 78 petition
• B. Any civil action complaint
• C. A cross-claim only
• D. A bill of particulars only

Answer: (A)

Verification is required for certain NY pleadings to ensure the factual claims are sworn to and can be relied upon by the court. Specifically, matrimonial action complaints and Article 78 petitions must be verified. In a matrimonial action, verification helps confirm the truth of the allegations affecting family and related rights. In an Article 78 petition, verification ensures the petition’s factual bases for challenging a government decision are sworn to, giving the court a solid basis to proceed. Other pleadings don’t carry this mandatory requirement: a civil action complaint can be filed with or without verification, cross-claims are internal pleadings within a civil action and are not required to be verified, and a bill of particulars is a supplementary document that elaborates on a verified complaint rather than a standalone pleading that must be verified.