What Is an Affidavit?

Full Video Transcript

An affidavit is basically a written legal document detailing certain facts or events. The document sets forth a list of facts or descriptions of situations that the person swears to be true. The person signing it, called the declarant, swears to its truth, and it has the same effect as testifying under oath. Often, an affidavit must be signed in the presence of a notary public in order to be valid. Affidavits are often used to obtain testimony when a witness is unable to appear at court or elsewhere in a lawsuit. An affidavit and the information it contains often involve very important legal matters which can make or break a case. If you’re involved in a lawsuit and an affidavit may be an issue, please contact an attorney to determine how best to approach your legal rights.