The Ultimate Guide to Affidavits: Everything You Need to Know (With Ready-to-Use Templates)

The Law Gurukul
Jul 6
4 min read

What is an Affidavit?
When Do You Need an Affidavit?
Essential Components of a Valid Affidavit
Step-by-Step Process to Create & Notarize
Complete Affidavit Formats for All Purposes
Special Cases & Customizations
FAQs About Affidavits

1. What is an Affidavit?

An affidavit is a sworn written statement made under oath before an authorized officer (notary, magistrate, or oath commissioner). It serves as legal evidence in court and government procedures.

Key Characteristics:

✔ Signed under penalty of perjury

✔ Must be notarized to be legally valid

✔ Printed on judicial stamp paper (value varies by state)

✔ Requires witness signatures in some cases

2. When Do You Need an Affidavit?

Purpose	Common Uses
Name Change	Marriage/divorce, legal name change, religious conversion
Address Proof	Aadhaar update, bank KYC, passport address change
Date of Birth Correction	School certificates, PAN card, voter ID
Income Proof	Visa applications, loan approvals, court cases
Identity Verification	Lost documents, name discrepancies
Property Transfer	Gift deeds, inheritance declarations
Marriage Proof	Spouse visa, joint accounts
Legal Heirship	Claiming inheritance without will

3. Essential Components of a Valid Affidavit

Every affidavit MUST contain these 6 elements:

Title - "Affidavit for [Purpose]"
Deponent Details - Full name, age, address, occupation
Statement of Truth - "I solemnly affirm and declare that..."
Factual Declarations - Numbered points with clear facts
Verification - "I confirm this information is true to my knowledge"
Notarization Block - Space for notary stamp & signature

Pro Tip: Always add "This affidavit is made for [specific purpose]" to prevent misuse.

4. Step-by-Step Process to Create & Notarize

Step 1: Drafting the Affidavit

Use plain English (avoid legal jargon if possible)
Include all relevant details with dates
Keep copies of supporting documents

Step 2: Printing Requirements

Stamp Paper Value: ₹10 to ₹500 (varies by state and purpose)
Font: Times New Roman 12pt or Arial 11pt
Margins: 1 inch on all sides

Step 3: Notarization Process

Visit a notary public with:
- Original ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport)
- 2 passport-size photographs
- Two witnesses (for some affidavit types)
Pay notary fees (typically ₹50-₹500)
Sign in the notary's presence

Step 4: Submission

Submit to concerned authority (e.g., Gazette for name changes)
Always keep 3 attested copies

5. Complete Affidavit Formats

A. Standard Name Change Affidavit

AFFIDAVIT FOR NAME CHANGE

I, [Full Name], aged [XX] years, residing at [Complete Address], do solemnly affirm:

1. That I was born as [Birth Name] and currently use [Current Name] in all records.
2. That I wish to formally adopt [New Name] for all legal purposes.
3. That this change is not intended to defraud any person/authority.

Verification:
I confirm that the above facts are true and verifiable from my birth records.

Place: [City]  
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]  

DEPONENT  
(Signature)  
[Full Name]  

NOTARY ATTESTATION  
(Stamp & Signature)

B. Address Proof Affidavit

AFFIDAVIT FOR ADDRESS PROOF

I, [Full Name], aged [XX], currently residing at [New Address], declare:

1. My previous address was [Old Address] from [Date] to [Date].
2. I have permanently shifted to [New Address] since [Date].
3. This affidavit is submitted to [Organization Name] for address verification.

Verification:
I attest that this information matches my government-issued IDs.

Place: _______
Date: _______

(Signature)  
[Full Name]  

NOTARY ATTESTATION  
(Stamp & Signature)

C. Date of Birth Correction Affidavit

AFFIDAVIT FOR DOB CORRECTION

I, [Full Name], son/daughter of [Father's Name], state:

1. My date of birth was incorrectly recorded as [Wrong DOB] in [Document Name].
2. My correct date of birth is [Correct DOB] as per [Birth Certificate/School Records].
3. The error occurred due to [Reason if known].

Verification:
I declare this discrepancy is genuine and supported by documentary evidence.

Place: _______
Date: _______

(Signature)  
[Full Name]  

NOTARY ATTESTATION  
(Stamp & Signature)

D. Income Proof Affidavit

AFFIDAVIT FOR INCOME DECLARATION

I, [Full Name], employed as [Designation] at [Company], affirm:

1. My monthly salary is ₹[Amount] (in words: [Rupees ______ Only]).
2. Additional income sources: [Details if any].
3. This affidavit is being submitted to [Bank/Embassy Name] for [Purpose].

Verification:
I confirm these financial details match my official tax records.

Place: _______
Date: _______

(Signature)  
[Full Name]  

NOTARY ATTESTATION  
(Stamp & Signature)

6. Special Cases & Customizations

For Married Women (Name Change)

Add:"I further declare that my marriage certificate dated [DD/MM/YYYY] shows my name as [Maiden Name]."

For Minors

Add:"This affidavit is made on behalf of my minor son/daughter [Child's Name], and I am their legal guardian."

Bilingual Affidavits

For non-English affidavits:

Prepare in local language + English
Add: "This is a true translation of the vernacular affidavit"

7. FAQs About Affidavits

Q: How long is an affidavit valid?

A: Indefinitely, unless the declared facts change.

Q: Can I type an affidavit?

A: Yes, but must be printed on stamp paper before notarization.

Q: What if I make a mistake?

A: Prepare a new affidavit - alterations aren't permitted after notarization.

Q: Is witness mandatory?

A: Required only for certain types like property affidavits.

Free Downloadable Templates

Pro Tip: Customize templates by replacing [bracketed text] with your details. Always consult a lawyer for complex cases.

The Law Gurukul