Affidavit Format in India: How to Write One and Get It Attested

What is an affidavit and when is it needed?

An affidavit (shapath patra) is a statement of facts written in the first person and sworn or affirmed as true before an officer authorised to administer oaths. It is used where an office needs your formal word on something that has no other document: a change of name, a lost document, your date of birth, a gap in studies, your family income, your address, or that two names refer to the same person.

Because you swear to it, an affidavit carries legal weight. A false affidavit is an offence, so state only what you know to be true, and say clearly when something is based on information or belief rather than your own knowledge.

Affidavit format: the parts every affidavit has

1. Title: “Affidavit”, and the purpose, for example “Affidavit for change of name”.
2. Deponent details: “I, [full name], son/daughter/wife of [name], aged [age] years, resident of [full address], do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:”.
3. Numbered paragraphs of facts: one fact per paragraph, simple and specific, with dates and document numbers where useful.
4. Purpose line: that the affidavit is made for submission to a named office or for a stated purpose.
5. Verification: “Verified at [place] on [date] that the contents of the above affidavit are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing material has been concealed.”
6. Signature of the deponent, then the attestation by the notary, oath commissioner or magistrate with their seal.

TipUse the exact spellings and numbers from your documents. A mismatch in a name or date is the most common reason an office sends an affidavit back.

Our maker has ready formats for the most common purposes: a general affidavit, name change, income, gap year, address proof, date of birth and lost documents. Each one fills in the deponent paragraph and verification for you, so you only write the facts.

Affidavit kis stamp paper par banta hai?

Affidavits are usually typed on non-judicial stamp paper. The value is set by each state, and many offices accept stamp paper of a modest value or an e-stamp certificate, but the right value depends on your state and the purpose. Ask the office that wants the affidavit, or check your state’s stamp or registration website, before you buy. Some courts and offices specify their own requirement.

An e-stamp certificate, where your state uses e-stamping, carries a unique number that can be verified online, which makes it harder to forge than pre-printed paper.

Affidavit attest kaun karta hai? Notary vs oath commissioner

1. Print the affidavit on the stamp paper and do not sign it in advance.
2. Go in person with the original ID (Aadhaar, PAN, passport or voter ID) and a photocopy.
3. Sign in front of the notary or oath commissioner, who checks your identity.
4. They sign, stamp and record the entry in their register. Keep a photocopy of the attested affidavit.

Watch outYou must be physically present. An affidavit “notarised” without you appearing, or bought ready-signed, can be rejected and can land you in trouble.

Can a self-declaration replace an affidavit?

Often, yes. Many central and state government offices accept a self-attested declaration in place of a sworn affidavit, following the government’s push for self-certification. That saves the stamp paper and the trip to a notary. But this is up to each office: a court, a bank, a passport office or a college may still insist on a sworn affidavit. Ask before you spend money.

A practical rule: if the office’s own form or notice says “affidavit on stamp paper”, “notarised affidavit” or “sworn before a magistrate”, follow that exactly. If it only says “declaration” or “undertaking”, a signed self-declaration is usually enough. When in doubt, ask for the requirement in writing or check the office’s website.

For a name change, the usual route is an affidavit, a notice in two newspapers (one English, one local language), and then publication in the Gazette of India through the Department of Publication, or in your state gazette. Passport, PAN and bank records generally accept the gazette notification. Start with our name change affidavit.