General Affidavit Format — Sample with Attestation India

# General Affidavit Format — Sample with Attestation India

An affidavit is a written sworn statement of fact made voluntarily by a person (the deponent) under an oath or affirmation, before a person authorised to administer oaths — such as an Oath Commissioner, Notary Public, or Executive Magistrate. It is a formal legal document that is used in court proceedings, government applications, and various official purposes.

Affidavits derive their legal validity from the Oaths Act, 1969 and are governed in court contexts by Order XIX of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. The key characteristic of an affidavit is that the deponent declares the statements to be true to the best of their knowledge and belief, and can be prosecuted for perjury under Section 191–193 IPC (now Sections 227–229 BNS) if they make a false statement.

This is for informational purposes only. Always have your affidavit reviewed by a qualified advocate for your specific situation.

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When to Use This Template

A general affidavit format is appropriate for:

- Declaring that a document is genuine or that a fact is true, when required by a government authority

- Supporting an application or petition where sworn verification is required

- Declaring your identity, address, relationship, or other personal facts

- Court proceedings where evidence by affidavit is permitted or required

- Support for passport applications, bank account changes, property mutation, school/college admissions, and other government processes

- Declaring that you are the legal heir of a deceased person (heirship affidavit)

- Income or residence declarations required by authorities

- Any situation where a sworn written statement is required and no specific prescribed format exists

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Sample Format

```

AFFIDAVIT

I, [YOUR FULL NAME], [Age: XX years], [Occupation: e.g., Business / Service / Homemaker / Student], [Religion: e.g., Hindu / Muslim / Christian / etc.], residing at [COMPLETE RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS INCLUDING PIN CODE], do hereby solemnly affirm and state as follows:

1. I am the deponent herein and am competent to swear this affidavit. The facts stated herein are true to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

2. [FIRST FACTUAL STATEMENT — E.g., "I am the natural born son/daughter of [FATHER'S FULL NAME] and [MOTHER'S FULL NAME], both residents of [ADDRESS]."]

3. [SECOND FACTUAL STATEMENT — E.g., "I have been permanently residing at the address mentioned above since [DATE / YEAR]."]

4. [THIRD FACTUAL STATEMENT — Add as many numbered paragraphs as required. Each paragraph should contain one clear, specific factual statement.]

5. [FOURTH FACTUAL STATEMENT — E.g., "I am making this affidavit for the purpose of [STATE PURPOSE — e.g., 'submitting to the Sub-Registrar's Office for mutation of property' / 'supporting my passport application' / 'proving my identity and address to [authority]']."]

6. I solemnly affirm that the contents of this affidavit are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and nothing material has been concealed therefrom.

DEPONENT

[SIGNATURE / THUMB IMPRESSION OF DEPONENT]

[FULL NAME OF DEPONENT]

[DATE AND PLACE]

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VERIFICATION

Solemnly affirmed / Sworn at [CITY / PLACE] on this [DATE IN DD/MM/YYYY] by the above-named deponent, [DEPONENT'S NAME], who is personally known to me / has been identified by [NAME OF IDENTIFIER] / produced [ID PROOF — Aadhaar Card / PAN Card / Passport No.].

I have satisfied myself that the deponent has understood the contents of this affidavit before making and signing/thumb-impressing it.

[SIGNATURE AND SEAL]

[NAME OF NOTARY PUBLIC / OATH COMMISSIONER / EXECUTIVE MAGISTRATE]

[REGISTRATION NUMBER (for Notary)]

[DATE]

[STAMP / SEAL OF AUTHORITY]

```

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Sample Heirship Affidavit (Variation)

```

AFFIDAVIT OF HEIRSHIP

I, [YOUR FULL NAME], [Age], [Occupation], residing at [ADDRESS], do hereby solemnly affirm and state as follows:

1. I am the [SON / DAUGHTER / SPOUSE / SIBLING] of the late [DECEASED'S FULL NAME], who died on [DATE OF DEATH] at [PLACE OF DEATH], as per the death certificate bearing Registration No. [NUMBER] dated [DATE], issued by [ISSUING AUTHORITY].

2. The deceased was [marital status — e.g., "married to [SPOUSE'S NAME]"] at the time of his/her death. He/she is survived by the following legal heirs:

a. [NAME OF HEIR 1] — [Relationship to deceased] — [Age] — [Address]

b. [NAME OF HEIR 2] — [Relationship to deceased] — [Age] — [Address]

c. [Add all legal heirs]

3. The deceased died without leaving any registered will.

4. There are no other legal heirs or claimants to the estate of the deceased other than those mentioned above.

5. I am making this affidavit for the purpose of [mutation of property / bank account claim / insurance claim / pension transfer / etc.] and to prove my status as a legal heir of the deceased.

6. I solemnly affirm that the above statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

DEPONENT: [SIGNATURE AND NAME]

DATE AND PLACE:

[ATTESTATION AS ABOVE]

```

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Key Elements Explained

**Heading**

The word "AFFIDAVIT" in bold or capital letters at the top. If filed in court, add the case title and case number above.

**Deponent's Details**

Full legal name, age, occupation, religion (sometimes required), and complete residential address including pin code. These details must match the deponent's official identity documents.

**Numbered Paragraphs**

Every factual statement is in a separate numbered paragraph. Courts and authorities require this for easy reference. Keep each paragraph to one clear fact or statement.

**Purpose Statement**

One paragraph clearly stating why the affidavit is being made. This helps the authority receiving it understand the context.

**Closing Declaration**

The closing statement ("I solemnly affirm...") is mandatory. It reinforces the sworn nature of the document.

**Deponent's Signature**

Must be signed (or thumb-impressed, for those who cannot write) in the presence of the attesting authority. Signing the affidavit before going to the Notary/Oath Commissioner renders it invalid — always sign in their presence.

**Attestation**

The Notary Public, Oath Commissioner, or Executive Magistrate signs and seals the affidavit. Their designation, registration number (for notaries), and official seal/stamp must appear. Without proper attestation, an affidavit has no legal value.

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Important Notes

**Stamp Paper**

Affidavits in many states must be executed on non-judicial stamp paper of a specified value (typically Rs. 20–100 depending on the state and purpose). The deponent's details, statements, and verification are all written or typed on this stamp paper. In some states, plain paper with appropriate court fee stamps is accepted. Check the requirements in your state.

**Who Can Attest**

In India, the following persons are authorised to administer oaths for affidavits:

- Notary Public (registered under the Notaries Act, 1952)

- Oath Commissioner (appointed by the High Court)

- Executive Magistrate (First Class)

- Special Executive Magistrate

Courts generally prefer affidavits attested by Notary Public or Oath Commissioner. Government offices may accept Notary Public attestation.

**No False Statements**

Making a false statement in an affidavit is perjury — a criminal offence under Sections 227–229 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (formerly Sections 191–193 IPC), punishable with imprisonment up to 7 years. Only state facts that are true and that you personally know or believe to be true.

**Court Affidavits (Order XIX CPC)**

For court affidavits under Order XIX of the CPC, there are additional requirements: the affidavit must distinguish between what the deponent knows from personal knowledge and what they believe based on information. Statements based on information must identify the source. Court affidavits also require a specific verification clause referencing the paragraph numbers.

**Do Not Leave Blanks**

All blanks must be filled before attestation. No blank spaces should remain in a signed affidavit, as they can be misused.

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FAQ

**Q1. Can I prepare an affidavit at home and then go to a Notary to get it stamped?**

Yes — you can type or handwrite the affidavit and take it to a Notary or Oath Commissioner for attestation. However, you must sign the affidavit (or place your thumb impression) only in the presence of the attesting authority, not before. Bring valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport) so the authority can verify your identity.

**Q2. What is the difference between an affidavit and a notarised declaration?**

Both are sworn statements. An "affidavit" typically refers to a document where the deponent takes an oath or affirmation before the attesting authority. A "notarised declaration" is sometimes used colloquially for a document that a Notary has verified and sealed, which may or may not be sworn. For legal purposes — courts, government offices — use the formal affidavit format with oath/affirmation and proper attestation.

**Q3. Is an affidavit valid across all states in India?**

Generally yes — an affidavit attested by a competent authority in one state is valid throughout India. However, some state government departments may require that the affidavit be attested by an authority within their jurisdiction. Check the specific requirements of the authority to whom you are submitting the affidavit.

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*This template is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. The specific format, stamp paper value, and attestation requirements for affidavits may vary by state and by the authority to whom the affidavit is being submitted. Consult a qualified advocate or Notary Public for your specific requirement.*