What to Know About Requests for Admission in Oregon

Requests for admission are key tools used during a lawsuit to gather information. This article explains what they are and how you can respond to them correctly.

What is a request for admission?  

A request for admission is a written list of statements that you must either admit or deny. Only the plaintiff or defendant in a lawsuit can receive these requests. 

For example, these requests force you to take a position on facts or documents:  

• "Admit that the accident occurred on Main Street."
• "Admit that you received the email dated January 1, 2026."
• "Admit that your signature on the attached document is genuine."  

Once you admit a fact, it is settled for the rest of the case. The other side does not have to prove it at trial. 

Warning! If you do not respond correctly or on time, the law may treat the facts in the requests as admitted, even if they harm your case. 

Why requests for admission matter  

Requests for admission are powerful discovery tools for several reasons:  

• They help narrow the issues. Admitted facts do not need to be proven at trial with witnesses or documents. This saves time and keeps the case focused on what is actually disputed.
• They can even end your case. If you admit the wrong facts, you might help prove the other side’s case.
• Not responding is risky. If you miss the deadline, the law treats all requests as admitted.
• They are hard to change. Once you admit something, it is very difficult to undo it.
• They can affect costs. If you deny a fact and the other side proves it, you may have to pay their costs for doing so. 

How long do I have to respond to a request for admission?  

The deadline to respond is 30 days after the request is sent by hand-delivery or 33 days if the request is sent by mail or email.

Your deadline may be different depending on your case. Ask your lawyer about your exact deadline. If you do not have a lawyer, check with the other side’s lawyer to confirm. 

Warning: If you miss the deadline, every request is automatically considered admitted. 

How to respond to a request for admission

Step 1: Read everything carefully  

Read each request more than once. Requests for admission can be tricky. They may: 

• Contain multiple facts in one sentence.
• Use confusing language.
• Include documents you need to review.
• Reference other parts of the case.  

Do not rush. Take your time to fully understand what you are being asked to admit. If you have a lawyer, talk to them about the requests. 

Step 2: Calculate your deadline  

Figure out when your response is due:  

1. Find the date the requests were sent (usually on the first page).
2. Calculate your time to respond: 30 days if you are handed the request in person, or 33 days if you get it by mail, email, or another method.
3. If that date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.  

Missing this deadline can destroy your case.

Tip: Set a reminder for at least five days before the deadline. This gives you time to fix any problems if they come up. 

Step 3: Gather information  

Before you answer, gather the information you need: 

• Review the documents mentioned in the requests.
• Check your records, emails, and files.
• Talk to witnesses if you need to.
• Look at earlier discovery responses you have given. 

Make sure your answers match what you have said before in the case. 

You can deny based on lack of knowledge, but only if you have made a reasonable effort to find the information. Oregon law requires you to try to find the information first. 

Step 4: Decide how to respond to each request  

For each request, you have four options:

• Option 1: Admit – Use this when the statement is completely true. Example response: "Admitted."
• Option 2: Deny – Use this when the statement is false or you have a good reason to deny it. Example response: "Denied." (Warning: If you deny something and it turns out to be true, you may have to pay the other side's costs for proving it at trial. Only deny if you really dispute the fact.)
• Option 3: Admit in part, deny in part – Use this when part of the request is true and part is false. Example: Request says, "Admit that you were driving 50 mph on Main Street." Response: "Admitted that responding party was driving on Main Street. Denied that the responding party was driving 50 mph."
• Option 4: Object – Use this for improper requests. Example response: "Objection: vague and ambiguous as to the term 'immediate vicinity.' Without waiving said objection, denied." Common objections:
  • The request is unclear.
  • It asks for a legal conclusion (for example, “admit you’re negligent”).
  • It asks about privileged information (for example, doctor-patient information).
  • It's not relevant to the case.
  • It's too expensive or time-consuming to answer. 

Important reminder about objections: Just saying "objection" isn’t enough. You must explain why you’re objecting. After stating your objection, you usually still need to answer the request "without waiving the objection." 

Step 5: Have someone review your responses  

Before you file your response:  

• Have your lawyer review it (if you have one).
• Read it out loud to catch any mistakes.
• Check that every request has a response.
• Make sure your signature and date are correct (signed under oath). 

Step 6: File and serve your response  

In Oregon state court:  

1. Make two copies of your response.
2. Mail one copy to the other party by regular USPS mail.
3. File the original copy with the court.  

In federal court:  

1. Make one copy of your response.
2. Serve the copy on the other party.
3. Keep the original for your records, along with proof that you served it on time (like a certificate of service). In federal court, you do not file your response with the court unless there is a dispute. 

What happens if you don't respond  

This is critical: If you do not respond within 30 days, every request is automatically considered admitted. 

This means:  

• You admitted to everything they asked.
• You can't easily take it back.
• These admissions can be used against you at trial.
• You might lose your case based on these admissions alone.  

If you realize you have missed the deadline, contact a lawyer right away. You may be able to file a motion to withdraw the admissions, but it is difficult and not guaranteed. 

Can you change your answers?  

Yes, but it's not easy. You can only change your response:  

• If you find new information or make a mistake.   
• With permission from the court. You should ask for permission to withdraw or change an admission as soon as you find the error. 

By: Kristin Asai, JD, Holland & Knight