How to Do an Affidavit of Law in California
An affidavit is a written statement of facts that the person writing the affidavit -- the affiant -- swears to be true. If the content of the affidavit is proven false, law enforcement officials can prosecute the affiant for perjury. Preparing an affidavit for a legal matter in California is a straightforward process.
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Instructions
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Write the facts that you need to include in the affidavit. Number each fact as a separate paragraph. In the first paragraph, state your name and the purpose for the affidavit.
Example: "I, John Doe, write this affidavit in support of my petition to change my name."
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2
Write additional facts in the second and subsequent numbered paragraphs. Write concisely and precisely. Do not include information in your affidavit unless you are certain that the information is true. If you include opinions in your affidavit, preface those statements with the phrase, "in my opinion."
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3
Prepare a signature line for you to sign as the affiant, with a separate line that contains your printed name.
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Write a jurat -- a certificate that proves that you signed the statement under oath. A notary public will administer the oath and complete the jurat.
This example is a sample jurat provided by the California State courts:
"State of California, County of ____________
"Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this ___ day of _______, 201_, by ______________, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me."
____________________________
Signature of Notary Public
____________________________
Print name of Notary Public
(NOTARY SEAL)"
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Take the affidavit to a California Notary Public. Show the Notary Public proof of your identity, such as a California drivers license. Sign the affidavit in front of the Notary Public, and ask the Notary to complete the jurat.
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References
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