Affidavit

An affidavit is a type of verified statement or showing, or containing a verification, meaning it is made under oath on penalty of perjury.

An affidavit is typically defined as a written declaration or statement that is sworn or affirmed before a person who has authority to administer an oath.

[1] An affidavit may include, In some cases, an introductory clause, called a preamble, is added attesting that the affiant personally appeared before the authenticating authority.

An affidavit that is prepared for use within the context of litigation may also include a caption that identifies the venue and parties to the relevant judicial proceedings.

According to the UK government website, "The affidavit can be sworn or affirmed by a solicitor, notary or commissioner for oaths (for a charge) or by an authorised member of court staff.

This is designed to replace affidavits and statutory declarations in situations where the electronic means of lodgement or filing of documents with the Court provided for in Section 20 is utilised.

In American jurisprudence, under the rules for hearsay, admission of an unsupported affidavit as evidence is unusual (especially if the affiant is not available for cross-examination) with regard to material facts which may be dispositive of the matter at bar.

Affidavits from persons who are dead or otherwise incapacitated, or who cannot be located or made to appear, may be accepted by the court, but usually only in the presence of corroborating evidence.

An affidavit which reflected a better grasp of the facts close in time to the actual events may be used to refresh a witness's recollection.

In federal courts and about 20 states as of 2006, unsworn declarations under penalty of perjury are authorized by statute as acceptable in lieu of affidavits.