If you are ever involved in any sort of court action or legal proceeding, you may have to sign an affidavit and have it witnessed by a licensed notary. Because the law is often an arcane and intimidating institution, you may be nervous or have questions about the process. To help you get through the experience smoothly, below are answers to some of the most common questions about affidavits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Affidavits

What is an affidavit?

An affidavit is simply a statement in writing that you swear to be true. It is the written equivalent of an oral courtroom testimony in which you must swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

When is an affidavit necessary?

Affidavits are used in legal proceedings, for business purposes, and in financial transactions. For instance, you might need to swear to the soundness of your company when working with an investor or swear that your income meets a certain threshold when applying for a credit card. You may have to swear to what occurred during an auto accident during an insurance dispute.

How does the affidavit process work?

Once the affidavit is written and contains your version of the facts, you must sign it in the presence of a notary. The notary will verify that you are who you say you are by checking your identification, typically with a driver's license, state ID, or passport. A second piece of identification is also needed. The notary will verify that your name and address are correct and that you are not signing under duress. They will then affix their seal to the document to officially notarize it.

What is a notary?

A notary is a public official appointed by the state to act as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. The purpose of a notary is to act as a fraud deterrent in matters of estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and business.

If you need to have a notary seal and witness an affidavit for a legal proceeding, contact Guillory's Title & Notary Service in Ville Platte, LA. For your convenience, they maintain a library of online legal templates that you can download to make document preparation easier. These include pre-written affidavits, auto titles, and vehicle registrations. They even handle driver's license and state ID renewals. Visit their website to message them online or call (337) 506-3957 to arrange a consultation.