Affidavit
A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the person making it, used as formal evidence in legal proceedings.
An affidavit is a written statement of facts confirmed by the oath or pledge of the person making it, typically administered by a notary officer, judge, or other authorized official. It serves as a formal legal document used in courts to present evidence without the need for the witness to appear in person. Historically derived from the Latin 'affidare' meaning 'to pledge faith,' it is a cornerstone of procedural law in many jurisdictions, ensuring that testimony is given under penalty of perjury.
What this means in real life
A landlord writes a sworn statement describing unpaid rent and property damage, signs it before a notary, and submits it to court as evidence in an eviction case instead of testifying in person.
What it isn’t
It is not simply a signed letter or personal statement. An affidavit must be made under oath or affirmation before an authorized official, creating legal consequences for dishonesty—a casual written claim carries no such weight.
Commonly misused online
People often treat 'affidavit' as synonymous with any formal letter or declaration, but social media posts claiming 'I'm filing an affidavit' usually mean they're just making a public statement—not actually creating a legally binding sworn document.