What requirement must be fulfilled for interrogatories to be valid?

Interrogatories are a crucial part of the discovery process in civil litigation, designed to obtain written answers to specific questions from the opposing party. For interrogatories to be valid, it is essential that they be answered under oath. This requirement ensures that the responses are given truthfully and can be relied upon as factual statements made under penalty of perjury. The oath emphasizes the seriousness of the responses, as providing false information can lead to legal consequences.

The significance of answering under oath cannot be understated; it adds weight to the evidence presented and aligns with the principles of honesty and integrity within the judicial process. This practice not only seeks to uncover the truth but also serves to maintain the integrity of the legal proceedings.

Other potential requirements, such as needing the judge's signature or being submitted in person, do not pertain to the validity of interrogatories themselves. The essence of interrogatories lies in the accuracy and truthfulness of the answers provided, which is why the requirement for an oath is fundamental.