Affidavits

Notaries can notarize affidavits, which are sworn statements than can be used in court proceedings.

An affidavit is a sworn or affirmed statement made before a notary public or any public official who has the authority to administer oaths. It is made under penalty of perjury. The notary must administer an oath or affirmation to the signer(s), witness the signing of the document, and certify the document with an official signature and seal.

The notary must also complete a notarial certificate called a jurat, which is added to an affidavit to document when, where, and before whom the sworn or affirmed statement was made.

Affidavits are often used when a witness who has personal knowledge relevant to an ongoing legal case cannot come to court to testify. A notarized affidavit is one in which you swear the content is true before a notary public.