The affidavit meaning is a written statement of facts that a person signs and swears, or solemnly affirms, to be true in front of an official who is allowed to take oaths. Because it is made under oath, lying in an affidavit can be punished by law.
Courts, banks, passport offices, colleges and government departments all ask for affidavits. They are used when someone needs your word on record, in a form the law takes seriously.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
A sworn written statement of factsPart of speech
Noun; plural affidavitsPronunciation
af-uh-DAY-vitThe person who makes it
affiant (US) or deponent (common in India and the UK)Origin
Medieval Latin, "he has stated on oath"Close words
sworn statement, declaration, depositionRegister
Legal and official
Affidavit meaning and the definition of affidavit
If you need to define affidavit quickly, think of a document in which you write down facts, sign it, and swear that every word is true. An authorised person then confirms that you made the oath. Three things make a paper an affidavit:
- Facts, not arguments. It states what you know, such as your name, address, date of birth, or what you saw.
- An oath or affirmation. You swear on your faith or affirm without religion that it is true.
- An official witness. A notary public, oath commissioner, magistrate or similar officer signs and stamps it.
How an affidavit works, step by step
The word fits because Meera is not just saying the names match. She is putting it on record under oath, and the official stamp proves she did.
Most affidavits follow the same shape: a title, the deponent's details, numbered paragraphs of facts, a closing line confirming the facts are true (often called the verification), the signature, and the official's attestation.
Where affidavits are used
- Courts: evidence in civil cases, bail applications and family disputes is often given by affidavit instead of, or before, spoken testimony.
- Name or address changes: after marriage, for spelling errors, or when moving house. A woman adopting her husband's surname may need one, and our page on maiden name explains the related term.
- Lost documents: a lost-document affidavit for a missing certificate, ID or share certificate.
- Admissions and jobs: gap-year, income or anti-ragging affidavits for colleges in India; proof of domicile for state quotas.
- Elections and public posts: candidates in some countries file affidavits listing their assets or background.
- Money and property: heirship, gift and support affidavits in banking and immigration.
India and the US: what differs
| India | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Usually sworn before | Notary, oath commissioner or magistrate | Notary public or court clerk |
| Paper | Often on non-judicial stamp paper, depending on state and purpose | Plain paper with a notary seal |
| Maker called | Deponent | Affiant |
| If false | Can be treated as giving false evidence | Can be treated as perjury |
Affidavit or something close to it?
- Affidavit vs deposition: a deposition is spoken testimony under oath, recorded and later written up, often with lawyers asking questions. An affidavit is written by or for the person and signed, with no cross-examination at that stage.
- Affidavit vs declaration: some systems accept a signed declaration "under penalty of perjury" without a notary. It does a similar job, but it is not sworn before an officer.
- Affidavit vs undertaking: an undertaking is a promise about what you will do. An affidavit states what is true.
Related court words such as indicted and habeas corpus come from the same world of formal legal process.
Sample sentences
- The landlord asked each tenant to submit an affidavit confirming the date they moved in.
- She swore an affidavit stating that she had witnessed the accident from the bus stop.
- My father had to file an affidavit at the bank because his name was misspelt on the account.
- The judge read the affidavits from both neighbours before deciding the boundary dispute.
- Before the counselling session, every first-year student signed an anti-ragging affidavit.
Latin roots: a sworn opening word
The term is Medieval Latin for "he has stated on oath," a form of affidare, to pledge or trust, built from ad (to) and fidare (to trust), which comes from fidus (faithful). Such sworn statements once opened with this very word, and English legal writing was using it by the 1590s. Fidelity and confide share the same root of trust; see our fidelity page.
Frequently asked questions
What does affidavit mean for an ordinary person?
For most people it is a written statement that you swear is true in front of an official. Once signed and attested, it can be used as evidence or as proof for an application.
Who can make an affidavit?
Generally any adult of sound mind who knows the facts can make one. A parent or guardian usually makes it on behalf of a child.
What happens if an affidavit is false?
Knowingly stating something false in an affidavit is a serious offence in most countries, often treated as perjury or giving false evidence. Fines or jail may follow, and the document may be rejected.
How do you pronounce affidavit?
Say af-uh-DAY-vit, leaning on DAY. A common mistake is spelling it "affadavit."
Does an affidavit need a notary?
In most places it must be sworn before someone authorised to take oaths, such as a notary public or oath commissioner. Some offices accept self-attested declarations instead, so check what is required.
Is an affidavit the same as a legal agreement?
No. An agreement is a deal between two or more people. An affidavit is one person's sworn account of facts, and no one else needs to sign it apart from the officer.