How Is An Affidavit Used, And When Would You Need One?

An affidavit is a written statement that is sworn to be true. These documents are usually used in court proceedings and negotiations. They are often used in cases related to family law, bankruptcy, as well as civil and criminal cases.

What Is An Affidavit?

An affidavit is a written statement that is sworn to be true. The statement is an oath, stating that the individual making the statement is being honest and truthful. The affidavit is presented with other witness statements to help prove that a certain statement made in court is true.  

The person making the sworn statement is referred to as an affiant. Before giving their statement, the affiant is required to swear that what they are about to convey is the truth under penalty of perjury. 

Perjury is when an individual makes misleading or false statements under oath. This is a crime that is taken very seriously as the legal system relies on trust and honesty.

When Is An Affidavit Valid?

An affidavit is valid only when it is written voluntarily and without coercion. An affidavit can be verified by a Judicial or Executive Magistrate, a Notary Public, or a Commissioner of Oath, depending on the type of affidavit at hand. Our Vancouver notary can help you validate your affidavit.

When Would You Need An Affidavit?

An affidavit is required for any type of dispute case. Some of the reasons an affidavit can be used include:

• Divorce proceedings – when both parties have decided to dissolve the marriage.
• Property disputes – when there is disagreement or uncertainty about how someone has purchased property or inherited the property.
• Debt cases – when an individual is in debt and the debt is outstanding.

How A Qualified Notary Can Help

If you want to write an affidavit but don’t know where to start or need help with validating it, know that this is a great responsibility and needs to be done truthfully and correctly. Our notary services at Morris Notary have helped hundreds of clients create affidavits, as well as validate affidavits. If you have questions or would like legal assistance in preparing an affidavit, contact our office today to set up an appointment.