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[ Affidavits format ]

General Affidavit Format with Verification and Notary Attestation

Section 8, Notaries Act, 1952; Section 139 and Order XIX, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 333 BNSS [Section 297 CrPC]; state stamp laws

Free sample · Word, print and copy · Updated

Sample format, not legal advice. This is a sample format for general information. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Facts, court practice, court fees and stamp duty differ by state and by case. Check the current law and your local court rules, or speak to an advocate, before you file, send or sign it.

An affidavit is a written statement of facts that the person making it (the deponent) swears or affirms to be true before an authorised officer — usually a notary public or an oath commissioner. Government offices, banks, universities, employers and courts accept affidavits as formal proof of facts such as identity, address, date of birth, relationship, income or loss of a document.

This general format can be adapted for most non-court purposes. Affidavits filed in a court case follow the court's own format and rules: under Order XIX CPC, they must be confined to facts within the deponent's knowledge (statements of belief are allowed on interlocutory applications if the grounds are given). For common purposes, use our specific formats, such as the name change affidavit or lost document affidavit.

Made by
The deponent — the person who knows the facts (must be an adult of sound mind)
Sworn before
Notary public, oath commissioner, or Magistrate / court officer as the case requires
Law
Notaries Act, 1952; Section 139 CPC; Section 333 BNSS
Stamp paper
Non-judicial stamp paper of the value fixed by the state (often Rs. 10–100); some purposes are exempt
Notary fee
Fixed by rules; check locally
False statement
Punishable as false evidence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

When to use this format

  • An office, bank or institution asks you for an affidavit declaring a fact.
  • You need to explain a discrepancy, such as a different spelling of your name or a different date of birth in two documents.
  • You need to declare a relationship, residence, income or that a document is lost.
  • You need to give an undertaking to an authority in a sworn form.
  • For evidence in a civil suit, use the evidence affidavit format instead.

General affidavit with verification and attestation

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Replace everything in [square brackets] with your own details. Delete lines that do not apply.

[TO BE TYPED OR PRINTED ON NON-JUDICIAL STAMP PAPER OF RS. [VALUE AS PER STATE RULES], PURCHASED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPONENT]

AFFIDAVIT

[OPTIONAL: BEFORE THE [NAME OF AUTHORITY / OFFICE] — FOR SUBMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH [PURPOSE]]

I, [FULL NAME OF DEPONENT], S/o / D/o / W/o [FATHER'S OR SPOUSE'S NAME], aged about [AGE] years, by occupation [OCCUPATION], resident of [FULL ADDRESS WITH PIN CODE], holder of [AADHAAR / PAN / PASSPORT / VOTER ID] no. [LAST FOUR DIGITS OR NUMBER AS REQUIRED], do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:

1. That I am a citizen of India and the deponent of this affidavit, and I am fully aware of the facts stated below.

2. That [FIRST FACT — stated clearly, with dates, names and document numbers, e.g. my name is recorded as "[NAME A]" in my Class 10 certificate no. [NUMBER] issued by [BOARD] in [YEAR]].

3. That [SECOND FACT — e.g. my name is recorded as "[NAME B]" in my passport no. [NUMBER] issued on [DATE]].

4. That [THIRD FACT — e.g. "[NAME A]" and "[NAME B]" are the names of one and the same person, namely myself].

5. That [ADD FURTHER FACTS IN SEPARATE NUMBERED PARAGRAPHS, ONE FACT PER PARAGRAPH].

6. That this affidavit is made for the purpose of [PURPOSE — e.g. submission to [AUTHORITY / BANK / UNIVERSITY] for [REASON]] and for any other lawful purpose.

DEPONENT
[SIGNATURE OF DEPONENT]

VERIFICATION

I, the above-named deponent, verify that the contents of paragraphs 1 to [LAST PARAGRAPH NUMBER] of this affidavit are true and correct to my own knowledge [OR: paragraphs [NUMBERS] are true to my knowledge and paragraphs [NUMBERS] are true to my belief based on [SOURCE, e.g. records of [OFFICE]]], no part of it is false, and nothing material has been concealed.

Verified at [PLACE] on this [DAY] day of [MONTH], [YEAR].

DEPONENT
[SIGNATURE OF DEPONENT]

ATTESTATION

Solemnly affirmed / sworn before me at [PLACE] on [DATE] by the deponent named above, who has signed in my presence and who is identified [BY [IDENTITY DOCUMENT AND NUMBER] PRODUCED BEFORE ME / BY [NAME OF ADVOCATE], ADVOCATE, WHO IS KNOWN TO ME]. The contents were read over and explained to the deponent, who admitted them to be correct.

[SIGNATURE AND SEAL]
Notary Public / Oath Commissioner
[NAME]
Registration No.: [NUMBER]
Notarial Register Entry No.: [NUMBER]
[ADDRESS]

How to fill it in

  1. Check what the office wantsAsk the office, bank or institution whether it needs stamp paper, its value, and whether it has its own format. Many offices prescribe a format or accept a self-declaration instead.
  2. Buy stamp paper in the deponent's nameBuy non-judicial stamp paper (or an e-stamp certificate where available) of the value fixed by your state, in the deponent's name. The value varies by state and purpose.
  3. Write one fact per paragraphKeep each paragraph to one fact with dates and document numbers. Avoid opinions and arguments; an affidavit states facts.
  4. Separate knowledge from beliefIn the verification, say which paragraphs are true to your own knowledge and which are based on records or information. Courts treat this distinction seriously.
  5. Sign before the notary, not beforeSign the affidavit in the presence of the notary or oath commissioner, carrying original photo ID. The notary records the entry in the notarial register and puts the seal and register number.
  6. Keep copiesKeep a photocopy of the attested affidavit before submitting the original. Some offices ask for the original only; others accept a self-attested copy.

Documents to attach

  • Non-judicial stamp paper or e-stamp certificate of the required value
  • Original photo identity proof of the deponent (Aadhaar, PAN, passport or voter ID)
  • Copies of documents referred to in the affidavit (certificates, IDs, records)
  • Passport-size photograph, if the office requires one on the affidavit
  • Identifying advocate or witness, if the notary requires identification

Stamp paper, notary and validity

Stamp duty on affidavits is fixed by each state's stamp law, and some states exempt affidavits made for specified purposes, such as those filed in court or for educational use. An affidavit has no fixed expiry, but many offices accept only a recently made one (commonly within a few months), so make it close to the date of use.

A false statement in an affidavit can be punished as giving false evidence under Section 229 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita [Section 193 IPC], and a false statement in a declaration receivable as evidence under Section 236 BNS [Section 199 IPC].

Common mistakes

  • Signing the affidavit at home and taking it to the notary already signed.
  • Mixing several unrelated facts in one paragraph, or adding opinions.
  • Using stamp paper bought in someone else's name.
  • Leaving blanks or making handwritten changes without initials of the deponent and the notary.
  • Getting the verification paragraph numbers wrong.
  • Stating facts you do not personally know as if they were within your knowledge.

Frequently asked questions

Is stamp paper necessary for an affidavit?
It depends on the state and the purpose. Most states charge stamp duty on affidavits, usually a small fixed amount, but some exempt affidavits for court proceedings or specified purposes. Ask the office receiving the affidavit and check your state's stamp schedule.
Who can attest an affidavit?
A notary public appointed under the Notaries Act, 1952, an oath commissioner appointed by the High Court or district court, or a Magistrate or court officer for affidavits used in proceedings. Section 139 CPC and Section 333 BNSS list who can administer the oath for affidavits under those codes.
Can I make an affidavit on plain paper?
Some offices accept a self-declaration or an affidavit on plain paper, and affidavits filed in many courts do not need stamp paper. Where the receiving office or your state's stamp law requires stamp paper, a plain-paper affidavit will be rejected.
Is an online or e-notarised affidavit valid?
Many states issue e-stamp certificates that can replace physical stamp paper. Whether a remotely notarised affidavit is accepted depends on the receiving office and current notarial rules; personal attestation before the notary remains the norm.
What happens if an affidavit contains a false statement?
The deponent can be prosecuted for false evidence or a false declaration under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and any benefit obtained through it can be withdrawn. Courts may also initiate proceedings on their own.

Reminder: This is a sample format for general information. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Facts, court practice, court fees and stamp duty differ by state and by case. Check the current law and your local court rules, or speak to an advocate, before you file, send or sign it. Spotted an error? Tell us.