An Affidavit is a statement of facts made under oath.

"Under oath" means to make a formal promise to be used in a court or by another official institution (such as a bank) that confirms the information included in your statement is true and based on personal knowledge or belief.

This document is also known as a:

• Sworn Statement
• Statement Under Oath
• Notarized Statement

Typically, an Affidavit is used by an affiant (the person whose statement is being submitted within an Affidavit) to:

• Verify something they know is true (such as their identity)
• Formally present evidence in a court case (for example, detailing the events that led to a motor vehicle accident)

A Statutory Declaration is similar to an Affidavit in that it allows a declarant (the person who signs a Statutory Declaration) to submit facts they know to be true. However, Statutory Declarations are typically used outside of court to submit statements or facts to specific government agencies, whereas an Affidavit is used most often in court.

A Statutory Declaration is also known as a/an:

• Statutory Declaration Form
• Stat Dec
• Declaration
• Affirmation

Affidavits are used to verify facts. For instance, they can be used to:

• Notify a third party of a death before a formal Death Certificate is received
• Confirm your residency (the place where you live) or residential address
• Certify that you use a name that is different than the one on your birth certificate (or to confirm that your name has changed)
• Verify your identity in the event that your personal information is compromised
• Formally record aspects of your finances (such as assets and debts) for yourself or your business
• Establish that you are the owner of a deceased kin's property
• Prove that you or a third party served another person with documents (for example, divorce documents)

To create an Affidavit, you should include information such as:

• Your name, address, and signature
• The statement of facts you wish to verify for a third party or submit as evidence for a court case
• Information about the court where the document will be used or filed
• A signature from the notary public or commissioner for oaths who witnessed you sign your document

Yes, if you have documents, statements, photographs, or something else that help prove the information included in your Affidavit (which are then referred to as "exhibits"), you can attach them to the end of your document.

The standard method for attaching documents includes labeling each attachment for easy reference (i.e. Exhibit A, Exhibit B, etc.).

To sign an Affidavit, a person must be of sound mind, which means they have the mental capability (or capacity) to understand the statement itself and the implications, such as perjury, of swearing the document.

Typically, Affidavits are signed by a person who is over the age of 18. However, there is no minimum age requirement, and in some instances a minor could be required to swear an Affidavit, for example, to submit evidence in a family law proceeding.

Affidavits hinge on a person submitting true statements as facts, which is why the court takes lying under oath very seriously.

Lying in an Affidavit is punishable by law. The severity of the charge may depend on jurisdiction, but in some cases, it is considered perjury, which is a criminal offence. The possible repercussions for swearing a false statement ranges from fines to jail time.