Updated August 07, 2023
An affidavit of identity is a document used to formally verify a person’s identity and signature. Commonly required by financial institutions and courts, the affidavit is signed by the person proving their identity (the “affiant”) under penalty of perjury. To be valid, the affiant must sign the affidavit of identity in the presence of a notary public.
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What is an Affidavit of Identity?
An affidavit of identity is a legal document that confirms the authenticity of a person’s identity and signature. It is typically used when an institution, such as a bank or a court, is unable to verify the affiant’s identity in person due to remote services or missing identification documents.
For example, a financial institution may require someone to sign an affidavit of identity before remotely opening an account under their provided name. Similarly, a court may ask for an affidavit of identity when a person is signing an important document.
Signing Requirements
The affiant must sign the affidavit of identity in the presence of a notary public, who will verify the affiant’s identity with a valid photo ID.
What to Include
At a minimum, an affidavit of identity must include the following information:
- The affiant’s legal name
- The affiant’s date of birth
- The affiant’s current address
- The affiant’s phone number
- The affiant’s proof of identity provided to notary public
- Oath under penalty of perjury
- The affiant’s signature
- Date of signing
- Notary acknowledgment
How to Get an Affidavit of Identity (3 steps)
1. Fill Out the Affidavit Form
Download and complete the affidavit of identity form. Double-check the provided information to make sure there are no mistakes or typos.
2. Find a Notary Public
Notary services can commonly be found in local directories or at banks, UPS stores, or accounting offices. Virtual notary services are available as well. Be sure to bring a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, identity card, or another accepted form of ID.
3. Sign the Affidavit
After verifying your identity to the notary public by providing a valid form of identification, sign the form in the presence of the notary public.
Sample Affidavit of Identity
Download: PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument
AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY
I, the Affiant, being duly sworn, hereby affirm on [DATE] that:
- My legal name is [NAME].
- My date of birth is [DATE OF BIRTH].
- I currently reside at the following address: [ADDRESS].
- My telephone number is: [PHONE NUMBER].
- I have presented to the notary public:
☐ – Driver’s License
☐ – Passport
☐ – Identity Card
☐ – Other: [DESCRIBE]
- I understand that false statements on this Affidavit may be punishable by the fullest extent of the law.
Under penalty of perjury, I hereby declare and affirm that the Affidavit is signed by me and all its contents, to the best of my knowledge, are true and correct.
Affiant’s Signature: _____________________________ Date: [DATE]
NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.
State of [STATE]
County of [COUNTY]
On [DATE] before me, [NOTARY’S NAME], personally appeared [AFFIANT’S NAME] who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that they executed the same in their authorized capacity, and that by their signature on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of [STATE] that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature ________________________ (Seal)