an affidavit is a legal document that is very similar to a witness’s sworn testimony in a court of law. making any statement that is not true in an affidavit is technically a violation of the law and you can be fined or even imprisoned for committing perjury (the crime of being willfully untruthful under oath). it is particularly relevant in the transfer of stocks or securities.some insurance companies or banks may also require an affidavit of domicile before they will release assets to a beneficiary or an heir. an affidavit of heirship may also be a necessary document in relation to an estate.

you can use an affidavit for many reasons, such as to swear someone was born, to state an item was given as a gift, or as evidence in court. an affidavit of service is used to attest to the delivery of important documents by a process server, including the date, time, and manner the documents were served to the recipient. when you write an affidavit and sign it, you’re swearing under the law that the information contained in the document is true. an affidavit is used when someone is required or asked to make a statement of fact under oath.