An affidavit is a written statement used in a court of law. There are many reasons you may find yourself needing to prove some aspect of your identity, property ownership, or relationships to others with an affidavit.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The stress of undergoing court proceedings and dealing with the other parties involved in any legal situation may make the affidavit-writing process seem more difficult than it needs to be.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about drafting an affidavit for your legal needs, and explain the role of a notary public in finalizing the affidavit after it is written.
The basics
Affidavits can be hand-written or typed, but all information included must be first-person and verifiable – mere speculation into the details of a legal circumstance is not valid for an affidavit.
While affidavits are relatively easy to put together, they require time and planning to assure that all requirements are met.
Steps to writing an affidavit
- Title: In titling your affidavit, you are telling the reader the subject of your sworn statement. Include: your name, the topic of the affidavit, and the case caption (which can be located on any related court documents).
- Statement of identity: This section includes other important personal information – your name, age, residence, occupation, and possibly more depending on the purpose of the affidavit (for example, an affidavit of divorce would require you to affirm the timetable of your marriage to the other party).
- Statement of truth: Here, you have the opportunity to swear or affirm, in the first person, that you are telling the truth to the best of your knowledge about the situation. This section is important from a legal perspective because it is equivalent to swearing under oath.
- Other important information: This is the longest section of the affidavit, in which you state the facts of the situation. Assure that all of the information included in this section is accurate, and that none of the statements are opinion-based. Keep each statement short and to the point so that nothing is left up to interpretation beyond what is necessary in court. Be sure to provide specific details, such as names and dates.
- Confirm the statement of truth: Finally, close out your affidavit by including a quick summary of the information presented and reiterating the statement of truth at the beginning of the document.
The final step: notarization
Your affidavit will not be considered valid until it is signed in the presence of a notary public as witness. To make this process as easy as possible (for yourself and for the notary), be sure to bring the following:
- Both the affidavit and any related documents, all of which will need to be reviewed and signed;
- A formal means of identification, such as a driver’s license.
By preparing yourself ahead of time, and choosing a reliable notary public, you can assure that the process is completed quickly and easily.
Licensed notary publics can be found at many legal facilities – but other options are available to acquire these necessary services. Skip the line or a long trip by utilizing an auto tags service provider. Many of these services are licensed to notarize affidavits and other legal documents, and can do so quickly and easily.
PA Auto Insurance Outlet is an auto tags service provider and licensed notary public situated in Philadelphia. We will assure that your affidavits or other legal documents are correctly formatted and ready to use in record time. Along with our auto tags services, PA Auto Insurance Outlet has affordable options for life, home, and vehicle insurance. Give yourself and your family peace of mind by partnering with a provider you can trust. Call us today, or visit our website to set up a consultation.