Do I need a lawyer to prepare an affidavit?

No, you do not need a lawyer to prepare a general affidavit. You can fill out this template yourself. However, for affidavits to be used in complex litigation or high-stakes matters, consulting an attorney is advisable to ensure the content is legally sufficient and admissible.

Does an affidavit need to be notarized?

Yes, in most situations an affidavit must be notarized to be legally valid. A notary public administers your oath, witnesses your signature, and applies their official seal. Some federal proceedings accept an unsworn declaration signed under penalty of perjury in lieu of a notarized affidavit (28 U.S.C. § 1746).

Can I sign an affidavit before seeing a notary?

No. You must sign the affidavit in the presence of the notary public after they administer your oath or affirmation. Signing beforehand defeats the purpose of notarization and may render the document invalid.

What happens if the statements in my affidavit are false?

Making a false statement in a sworn affidavit constitutes perjury, which is a criminal offense. Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1621), perjury can result in up to 5 years in prison. State laws impose similar or even harsher penalties. Always ensure every statement in your affidavit is true and accurate.

How many statements can I include in an affidavit?

This template provides three statement fields, but an affidavit can contain as many numbered statements as needed. If you need more than three statements, you can use the third field to continue or attach additional sheets clearly labeled 'Continuation of Affidavit — Page 2' and reference them in the body.

Free Affidavit Template — Sworn Statement Ready to Sign

Free — No Sign-Up RequiredPDF & WordUpdated April 10, 2026

An affidavit is a written sworn statement of fact made voluntarily under oath or affirmation, used as evidence in legal and administrative proceedings. This general affidavit template allows the affiant (the person making the statement) to declare facts under penalty of perjury.

⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This template is attorney-reviewed and built to US legal standards. It does not substitute for professional legal advice. For complex situations, we recommend consulting a licensed attorney.

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State and county where notarization will occur

State*

State where this affidavit will be notarized

County*

County (or parish/borough) where notarization takes place

Personal details of the person making the sworn statement

Affiant Full Legal Name*

Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued ID

Affiant Address*

Affiant Date of Birth*

MM/DD/YYYY

Used to confirm identity of the affiant

The facts you are swearing to under penalty of perjury

Subject of Affidavit*

Brief description of what this affidavit pertains to

Statement 1 (First Sworn Fact)*

State your first sworn fact clearly and in first person

Statement 2 (Second Sworn Fact)

Additional fact (optional)

Statement 3 (Third Sworn Fact)

Additional fact (optional)

Date of Signing*

MM/DD/YYYY

Must be the date you appear before the notary

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AFFIDAVIT

STATE OF [State]

COUNTY OF [County]

RE: [Subject of Affidavit]

I, [Affiant Full Legal Name], being duly sworn, depose and state as follows:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Full Legal Name: [Affiant Full Legal Name]

Address: [Affiant Address]

Date of Birth: [Affiant Date of Birth]

SWORN STATEMENT

I, [Affiant Full Legal Name], do hereby solemnly swear (or affirm) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of [State] that the following statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief:

1. [Statement 1 (First Sworn Fact)]

DECLARATION

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. I understand that a false statement made in this affidavit may subject me to criminal prosecution for perjury under the laws of the State of [State] and the laws of the United States.

Executed on [Date of Signing] in [County], [State].

_________________________________

[Affiant Full Legal Name]

Affiant Signature

Printed Name: [Affiant Full Legal Name]

Date: [Date of Signing]

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF [State]

COUNTY OF [County]

Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this ______ day of _____________, 20_____, by [Affiant Full Legal Name], personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is subscribed to this instrument.

_________________________________

Notary Public Signature

Printed Name: _____________________

Notary Public, State of [State]

My Commission Expires: _______________

[NOTARY SEAL]

Document Completeness0%

State and county where notarization will occur

State*

State where this affidavit will be notarized

County*

County (or parish/borough) where notarization takes place

Personal details of the person making the sworn statement

Affiant Full Legal Name*

Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued ID

Affiant Address*

Affiant Date of Birth*

MM/DD/YYYY

Used to confirm identity of the affiant

The facts you are swearing to under penalty of perjury

Subject of Affidavit*

Brief description of what this affidavit pertains to

Statement 1 (First Sworn Fact)*

State your first sworn fact clearly and in first person

Statement 2 (Second Sworn Fact)

Additional fact (optional)

Statement 3 (Third Sworn Fact)

Additional fact (optional)

Date of Signing*

MM/DD/YYYY

Must be the date you appear before the notary

What Is a Affidavit Template?

When Do You Need It?

You need an affidavit when you must provide a verified, sworn written statement in a legal or administrative matter. Common uses include: supporting a court motion or filing, verifying identity or residence, declaring financial facts for benefits or legal proceedings, serving as a witness statement for an incident, correcting errors in public records, or providing proof of facts for immigration, estate, or business matters..

What's Included in This Template

State and county jurisdiction header
Affiant personal information (name, address, date of birth)
Subject/purpose of the affidavit
Up to three numbered sworn statements of fact
Declaration clause (sworn under penalty of perjury)
Signature line with date
Notarization block (notary signature, seal, commission expiration)

How to Fill It Out

Select State and County — Choose the state and enter the county where the affidavit will be notarized. This establishes proper jurisdiction and is required on the document header.

Enter Affiant Information — Provide the full legal name, current address, and date of birth of the person making the sworn statement (the affiant). Use the name exactly as it appears on government ID.

Describe the Subject — Enter a brief, clear title for the subject of this affidavit (e.g., 'Proof of Residence', 'Witness Statement Regarding Motor Vehicle Accident of January 5, 2026').

Write Your Sworn Statements — Enter each fact you are swearing to be true in the numbered statement fields. Be specific, factual, and use first-person language ('I witnessed...', 'I am the owner of...'). Each statement should be a distinct, verifiable fact.

Sign Before a Notary — Do NOT sign the affidavit before appearing before a notary public. Bring government-issued photo ID to the notarization appointment. The notary will administer your oath, witness your signature, and complete the notarization block with their seal and commission expiration date.

Legal Requirements & Notes

An affidavit is a sworn written statement that carries the same legal weight as oral testimony given under oath in court. Key legal considerations:

Penalty of Perjury: Making a false statement in a sworn affidavit is a criminal offense (perjury) punishable by fines and imprisonment under both state and federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1621).

Notarization Required: Most courts and government agencies require affidavits to be notarized by a licensed notary public. Do not sign until you appear before the notary.

Unsworn Declarations: In some federal proceedings (28 U.S.C. § 1746) and certain state proceedings, an unsworn declaration under penalty of perjury may substitute for a notarized affidavit. Check the specific requirements for your proceeding.

Admissibility: Affidavits are not universally admissible in all court proceedings—in some contexts (especially trials), live testimony is required. Consult an attorney to confirm an affidavit is appropriate for your specific legal matter.

Content Requirements: Statements should be based on personal knowledge (what you have directly seen, heard, or done), not speculation or hearsay.

Frequently Asked Questions

An affidavit is a written sworn statement used as evidence in legal, government, and administrative proceedings. Common uses include supporting court motions, proving identity or residence, making financial declarations, providing witness statements, and supporting applications for benefits, licenses, or immigration status.

Free Affidavit Template — Sworn Statement Ready to Sign

AFFIDAVIT

PERSONAL INFORMATION

SWORN STATEMENT

DECLARATION

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

[NOTARY SEAL]

What Is a Affidavit Template?

When Do You Need It?

What's Included in This Template

How to Fill It Out

Legal Requirements & Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

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