An
affidavit ( ) is a written
sworn statement of fact voluntarily made by an
affiant or
deponent under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law. Such statement is witnessed as to the authenticity of the affiant's
signature by a taker of oaths, such as a
notary public or commissioner of oaths. The name is
Medieval Latin for
he/she has declared upon oath. An affidavit is a type of verified statement or showing, or in other words, it contains a verification, meaning it is under oath or penalty of perjury, and this serves as evidence to its veracity and is required for court proceedings. It is done with the help of court, with a stamp paper Affidavits may be written in the first or third person, depending on who drafted the document. If in the first person, the document's component parts are typically as follows:
- A commencement which identifies the "affiant of truth", generally stating that everything is true, under penalty of perjury, fine, or imprisonment
- An attestation clause, usually a jurat, at the end certifying the affiant made oath and the date
- Signatures of the author and witness
