An affidavit is a written statement of facts that you sign under oath, typically in front of a notary public. It carries the same legal weight as testimony given in a courtroom, which means lying in one can result in up to five years in federal prison for perjury.
What Is an Affidavit Letter and How Does It Work? - LegalClarity
What Is an Affidavit? An affidavit is a written statement where someone swears that what they say is true, under oath. It’s often used in legal situations when a person can’t testify in person. Once signed and notarized, an affidavit holds the same legal weight as speaking under oath in court.
Affidavit refers to a written promise, and its Latin roots connect it to another kind of promise in English. It comes from a past tense form of the Latin verb affidare, meaning “to pledge”; in Latin, affidavit translates to “he or she has made a pledge.”
In the common law courts, an affidavit is considered to be a written statement of facts given under oath. It’s used as a means of providing evidence in court, to law enforcement agencies and authorities.
In short, an Affidavit is a written legal document that’s made under oath. The person who writes and signs it—called the affiant—swears that the facts in the document are accurate to the best of their knowledge. A notary public or another authorized officer must witness and verify the affiant’s signature.
Simply put, an affidavit is a sworn statement of fact that can be used in a variety of legal proceedings, from bankruptcy cases to family and civil litigation matters such as divorce proceedings. It's one of the most common legal documents used as evidence when live sworn testimony isn’t possible.