For others wanting to utilize multiple selectors in their ignore parameter ala:
$validator = $('form.validate').validate({ ignore: '.ignore, .ignore :input, :hidden :input' }); Just one item must be changed in v1.5 to allow this, which will only add to the functionality and not detract anything. Line#421 Before: .not( this.settings.ignore ) Line#421 ---After: .not( $(this.settings.ignore) ) This: // select all valid inputs inside the form (no submit or reset buttons) // workaround $Query([]).add until http://dev.jquery.com/ticket/2114 is solved return $([]).add(this.currentForm.elements) .filter(":input") .not(":submit, :reset, :image, [disabled]") .not( this.settings.ignore ) .filter(function() { !this.name && validator.settings.debug && window.console && console.error( "%o has no name assigned", this); // select only the first element for each name, and only those with rules specified if ( this.name in rulesCache || !validator.objectLength($(this).rules ()) ) return false; rulesCache[this.name] = true; return true; }); Becomes This: // select all valid inputs inside the form (no submit or reset buttons) // workaround $Query([]).add until http://dev.jquery.com/ticket/2114 is solved return $([]).add(this.currentForm.elements) .filter(":input") .not(":submit, :reset, :image, [disabled]") .not( $(this.settings.ignore) ) .filter(function() { !this.name && validator.settings.debug && window.console && console.error( "%o has no name assigned", this); // select only the first element for each name, and only those with rules specified if ( this.name in rulesCache || !validator.objectLength($(this).rules ()) ) return false; rulesCache[this.name] = true; return true; });