Okuzeka
Law vocabulary · Evidence & Proof

Affidavit

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˌæfɪˈdeɪvɪt/nounCommon term

In law, affidavit means: A written statement of facts that a person signs and swears or affirms is true, usually in front of an authorised official, so that it can be used as evidence.

In Turkish: yeminli beyan, yeminli ifade

How it is used

Used in court applications and many official procedures. A person 'swears', 'makes' or 'files' an affidavit, which is signed before a notary or a commissioner for oaths. In England, witness statements with a statement of truth have replaced affidavits in many situations.

Example sentences

  1. The application must be supported by an affidavit from the company's finance director.

  2. She swore an affidavit confirming that she had never received the notice.

Common collocations

  • swear an affidavit
  • sworn affidavit
  • file an affidavit
  • affidavit of service
  • evidenceDocuments, objects, statements and other information that a court uses to decide which facts are true.
  • testimonyA formal statement that a witness makes in court or in writing, usually under oath, about facts they know.
  • witnessA person who tells a court what they saw, heard or know about a case; also someone who watches a document being signed and then signs it too.
  • admissibleAllowed to be used in court as evidence, or accepted for examination by a court, because it meets the legal rules.

More terms: Evidence & Proof

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.