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Most courts would prefer to accept a notarized affidavit rather than a simple sworn statement.

So in a court case where a statement of facts is required, an affidavit can be seen as more reliable. When a document is notarized, there is less chance that someone coerced a person into signing it. One major difference between the two documents is that an affidavit is notarized by a notary public, which can give it greater credence in court. Both affidavits and sworn statements can be entered as evidence in a court proceeding. In either circumstance, the signer may be found guilty of perjury if the statement is relied upon and later found to be untrue.

Since there are many types of affidavits with different purposes, it’s important to understand what an affidavit is and what situations you might need to use one.įor your reference, a general affidavit may also be referred to as any of the following:ĭifference Between an Affidavit and Sworn StatementĪ sworn statement, also known as a sworn declaration, is similar to an affidavit in the sense that it contains a statement a person swears is true. Meeting these requirements makes affidavits legally binding and the signer risks the penalty of perjury if they lie. When you write an affidavit and sign it, you’re swearing under the law that the information contained in the document is true.Īffidavits are signed voluntarily in the presence of witnesses and notarized by a public official. Affidavits are often used in court proceedings, where a statement of the facts of a matter is required.
