What is an affidavit? It is defined in Wikipedia as "a formal sworn statement of fact, signed by the declarant (who is also called the affiant or deponent) and witnessed (as to the veracity of the declarant's signature) by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public.
" In other words, an affidavit is a written declaration of the facts of a particular subject, signed as true by the declarant and certified by a person having legal authority.
Such authority, depending on the country where the document originates from, could be a Commissioner of Oaths, lawyer or Justice of the Peace.
How are affidavits written? Affidavits are often written in the first person by the person making the declaration.
The declaration itself is in the form of numbered paragraphs.
Though there are no specific rules, an affidavit is based on a certain format.
One such format is as follows: 1.
Header or Title.
This is made up of the declarant's name or the subject of the document.
For example: Affidavit of Aaren Azhar Victor or Contract Affidavit.
2.
Statement Of Facts or Deed.
The first paragraph should be on the personal particulars or details of the declarant.
Such details would include full name, age, residential address and where applicable, identification card and passport number.
3.
The paragraphs that follow will be on the main facts on the subject of the document.
These are also referred to as the affidavit deed.
4.
Footer or Signature.
Affidavits have to be signed by both the declarant and the person before whom it was sworn.
The names of the persons signing affidavits must be legibly printed directly beneath the signature.
As the date the declaration was sworn is a requirement, an example of a footer would be: Gerard Surin, being first duly sworn on oath according to law, deposes and says that he has read the foregoing AFFIDAVIT OF CONSENT by his subscribed, that the matters stated herein are true to the best of his information, knowledge and belief.
Signature Gerard Surin SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 24th day of October, 2009.
Signature Patricia Lee Commissioner of Oaths Expiry date of commission: 5.
Where documents are attached as references to affidavits, they also need to be signed by the declarant and dated the same date.
In addition to the above, an affidavit should be written with correct spelling, punctuation, grammar and follow all the requirements of good writing.
Though there are templates and forms available, all affidavits should be proofread and checked for overall quality.
Have the words been used correctly? Could the statement of facts be improved with better usage of words? These and several other elements of good writing need to be carefully reviewed and amended where necessary.
Find out how this can be effectively and easily done.
Writing in general and writing an affidavit in particular, need not be difficult anymore.
" In other words, an affidavit is a written declaration of the facts of a particular subject, signed as true by the declarant and certified by a person having legal authority.
Such authority, depending on the country where the document originates from, could be a Commissioner of Oaths, lawyer or Justice of the Peace.
How are affidavits written? Affidavits are often written in the first person by the person making the declaration.
The declaration itself is in the form of numbered paragraphs.
Though there are no specific rules, an affidavit is based on a certain format.
One such format is as follows: 1.
Header or Title.
This is made up of the declarant's name or the subject of the document.
For example: Affidavit of Aaren Azhar Victor or Contract Affidavit.
2.
Statement Of Facts or Deed.
The first paragraph should be on the personal particulars or details of the declarant.
Such details would include full name, age, residential address and where applicable, identification card and passport number.
3.
The paragraphs that follow will be on the main facts on the subject of the document.
These are also referred to as the affidavit deed.
4.
Footer or Signature.
Affidavits have to be signed by both the declarant and the person before whom it was sworn.
The names of the persons signing affidavits must be legibly printed directly beneath the signature.
As the date the declaration was sworn is a requirement, an example of a footer would be: Gerard Surin, being first duly sworn on oath according to law, deposes and says that he has read the foregoing AFFIDAVIT OF CONSENT by his subscribed, that the matters stated herein are true to the best of his information, knowledge and belief.
Signature Gerard Surin SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 24th day of October, 2009.
Signature Patricia Lee Commissioner of Oaths Expiry date of commission: 5.
Where documents are attached as references to affidavits, they also need to be signed by the declarant and dated the same date.
In addition to the above, an affidavit should be written with correct spelling, punctuation, grammar and follow all the requirements of good writing.
Though there are templates and forms available, all affidavits should be proofread and checked for overall quality.
Have the words been used correctly? Could the statement of facts be improved with better usage of words? These and several other elements of good writing need to be carefully reviewed and amended where necessary.
Find out how this can be effectively and easily done.
Writing in general and writing an affidavit in particular, need not be difficult anymore.