Free Affidavit Template

An affidavit is a sworn written statement of facts that the signer (the affiant) confirms is true under oath or affirmation. An authorized official, such as a notary public, witnesses the signature.

Because an affidavit is sworn, knowingly making false statements may lead to perjury penalties under federal or state law.

You may need an affidavit when a person or organization asks you to confirm facts in writing, under oath. For example, an affidavit can support a court filing, verify identity, or confirm details for a financial or property matter.

• Court matters: Provide written testimony when a court allows or requests it.
• Identity and residency: Confirm who someone is or where they live.
• Financial disclosures: Report income, assets, and debts for certain proceedings.
• Real estate and ownership: Confirm details tied to a transfer, title, or estate.
• Service of documents: Confirm that paperwork was delivered to another party.

Some courts treat affidavits as evidence, although a judge may still require live testimony depending on the case and local rules.

Most affidavits follow a simple structure. However, the exact format can vary by state and use case. If a court or agency gave you a required format, follow that version first.

Writing an affidavit means clearly stating facts you swear are true. Follow the sections in the template below to complete your affidavit correctly.

Step 1 – Add the State and County

At the top of the affidavit, enter the state and county where the affidavit is signed. This identifies the jurisdiction where the sworn statement is made.

Example:

State of California

County of Los Angeles

Step 2 – Identify the Affiant

Next, write your full legal name and address. The person making the sworn statement is called the affiant.

Include:

• Full legal name
• Street address
• City
• State and ZIP code

Example: I, Jordan Lee, of 1200 Maple Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, do hereby swear under oath that:

Step 3 – Write the Statement of Facts

List the facts you are confirming in numbered paragraphs. Each paragraph should contain one clear statement based on your personal knowledge.

Good affidavits use short, direct sentences.

Example:

1. I have lived at the above address since June 2020.
2. I personally witnessed the event described above.
3. The statements in this affidavit are based on my personal knowledge.

Step 4 – Add the Perjury Statement

The affidavit must confirm that the information is truthful. Our template includes a penalty of perjury statement that does this automatically.

The statement reads: Under penalty of perjury, I hereby declare and affirm that the above stated facts, to the best of my knowledge, are true and correct.

This statement gives the affidavit legal weight because you are confirming the facts under oath.

Step 5 – Add the Date and Sign

Enter the date the affidavit is signed. Then sign the document and print your name below the signature line.

Example:

DATED this 12th day of March, 2026

Signature: ___________________

Printed Name: Jordan Lee

Step 6 – Complete the Notary Section

Do not fill out the notary section yourself. The notary public completes this section after verifying your identity and witnessing your signature.

The notary acknowledgment confirms:

• Your identity
• The date the affidavit was signed
• The notary’s commission and seal

In many situations, yes. A traditional affidavit is usually signed before a notary public (or another authorized official).

However, some organizations accept a signed declaration under penalty of perjury instead of notarization. Requirements vary by state, court, and agency, so check the instructions you received.

Use a ready-to-fill affidavit template, or create one with a guided form.

Document Genius helps you create an affidavit quickly with a step-by-step questionnaire. Once completed, you can:

• Download your affidavit template as PDF or Word.
• Print it for notarization and filing.
• E-sign when appropriate for your situation.
• Store and manage your documents in one place.

If you already know the affidavit type you need, start with a focused form like an affidavit of identity template or an affidavit of service template.