Using JQuery Validate Plugin to validate multiple form fields with identical names

Instead of changing the source file jquery.validation you can simply override the function you need to edit only in the pages that requires it.

An example would be:

$.validator.prototype.checkForm = function() {
    //overriden in a specific page
    this.prepareForm();
    for (var i = 0, elements = (this.currentElements = this.elements()); elements[i]; i++) {
        if (this.findByName(elements[i].name).length !== undefined && this.findByName(elements[i].name).length > 1) {
            for (var cnt = 0; cnt < this.findByName(elements[i].name).length; cnt++) {
                this.check(this.findByName(elements[i].name)[cnt]);
            }
        } else {
            this.check(elements[i]);
        }
    }
    return this.valid();
};

This might not be the best solution, but at least it avoids editing source files, that could be replaced later, when a new version releases. Where your overridden function might or might not break.

Old thread I know but I came across it in search of the fix to the same problem.

A more elegant solution has been posted here: http://web-funda.blogspot.com/2009/05/jquery-validation-for-array-of-input.html

You simply edit jquery.validate.js and change the checkForm to

    checkForm: function() {
    this.prepareForm();
    for ( var i = 0, elements = (this.currentElements = this.elements()); elements[i]; i++ ) {
        if (this.findByName( elements[i].name ).length != undefined && this.findByName( elements[i].name ).length > 1) {
            for (var cnt = 0; cnt < this.findByName( elements[i].name ).length; cnt++) {
                    this.check( this.findByName( elements[i].name )[cnt] );
            }
        } else {
            this.check( elements[i] );
        }
    }
    return this.valid();
}

I spent some time searching and trying different things when finally I tried the most trivial way of doing validation on multiple fields. Each field and it's clones share a class unique to each set. I just looped through the inputs with that class and added my validation rules as usual. I hope this might help someone else.

    $("#submit").click(function(){
    $("input.years").each(function(){
        $(this).rules("add", {
            required: true,
            messages: {
                required: "Specify the years you worked"
            }
        } );            
    });

    $("input.employerName").each(function(){
        $(this).rules("add", {
            required: true,
            messages: {
                required: "Specify the employer name"
            }
        } );            
    }); 

    $("input.employerPhone").each(function(){
        $(this).rules("add", {
            required: true,
            minlength: 10,
            messages: {
                required: "Specify the employer phone number",
                minlength: "Not long enough"
            }
        } );            
    }); 

    $("input.position").each(function(){
        $(this).rules("add", {
            required: true,
            messages: {
                required: "Specify your position"
            }
        } );            
    });             

    $("input.referenceName").each(function(){
        $(this).rules("add", {
            required: true,
            messages: {
                required: "Specify the reference name"
            }
        } );            
    });         

    $("input.referencePhone").each(function(){
        $(this).rules("add", {
            required: true,
            minlength: 10,
            messages: {
                required: "Specify your reference phone number",
                minlength: "Not long enough"
            }
        } );            
    });

// Now do your normal validation here, but don't assign rules/messages for the fields we just set them for





});