How to Write an Affidavit

Do you need to swear an affidavit regarding a legal matter but you don’t know how to go about it? Are you worried that you might not do it properly and it won’t be accepted? Here a few pointers on how to write an affidavit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Form of affidavit
• Facts of information

1. Get forms of affidavits from the courthouse. The forms are simply set out so you can just start at the top and work down. You might want to fill it out at the courthouse so that if you have any questions, you can ask the court office clerk for help.
2. Fill in the date and all your personal information such as name, address, phone number and your relationship to the issue of concern, i.e., "I am the person who sold him the car."
3. List all your points of fact in chronological order that relate to the issue; they will be things you witnessed or did personally. If you are not sure of a certain point, don’t mention it because you are only swearing to facts that you have firsthand knowledge of, not things that you assume.
4. Sign the affidavit in front of a commissioner, who will also witness your statement. This is what transforms the paper into a legal document.

Tips & Warnings

• Since an affidavit is a sworn statement of facts, you must state only things that are true. An opposing lawyer will thoroughly examine what you have written and if it is determined that you have lied, you could be exposed in court as committing a legal offense.