General Affidavit
Sworn written statement of facts under oath — used in court, for government applications, or contractual disputes.
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AFFIDAVIT OF JANE MARIE DOE State of California County of San Francisco I, Jane Marie Doe, being first duly sworn upon oath, depose and state as follows: 1. I am 42 years of age, of sound mind, and competent to testify to the matters set forth in this affidavit. I have personal knowledge of the facts stated below. 2. My address is 123 Main St, San Francisco, CA 94103. 3. This affidavit concerns: Witness statement regarding vehicle accident on March 1, 2026. 4. The facts about which I am attesting are as follows: 1. On March 1, 2026, at approximately 3:15 PM, I was driving northbound on Main Street in San Francisco. 2. I observed a blue Honda Civic, license plate ABC-1234, run a red light at the intersection of Main and Oak. 3. The Civic struck a white Toyota that was lawfully proceeding through the intersection on a green light. 4. I stopped my vehicle, called 911, and waited at the scene to give my statement to police. 5. I have no relationship to either driver and no financial interest in the outcome of any related claim. 5. I make this affidavit voluntarily and without coercion, for the purpose stated above. I understand that this affidavit is sworn under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, and that knowingly making a false statement is a criminal offense. FURTHER, AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT. _____________________________ Date: May 4, 2026 Jane Marie Doe, Affiant NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT: State of California County of San Francisco Subscribed and sworn to before me on this date by Jane Marie Doe, who is personally known to me OR who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is subscribed to this instrument and acknowledged that they executed it for the purposes stated. _____________________________ [Seal] Notary Public My commission expires: ____________
About this template
An affidavit is your sworn testimony in writing — what you would say under oath if asked the same questions in court. It's used as evidence in court proceedings, for government applications (immigration, name change, property claims), in insurance disputes, and to support legal motions. The critical features: (1) **Personal knowledge** — you can only swear to facts you directly observed or experienced, never hearsay; (2) **Numbered factual statements** — courts and notaries expect a clear, verifiable structure; (3) **Notarization** — the document only has legal weight when sworn before a notary public, who confirms your identity and witnesses your signature. Lying in an affidavit is perjury, a felony in every state. Keep the language plain and factual — avoid speculation, opinions, or characterizations like "obviously" or "clearly." Stick to what, when, where, and who; let the reader draw conclusions.
When to use it
- Court proceedings where you can't appear in person but need to testify.
- Immigration cases (proof of relationship, residence, or employment).
- Insurance claims as a witness statement.
- Property transfers when one party is unavailable to sign.
- Lost-document affidavits (lost titles, lost stock certificates).
What to include
- Identification of Affiant — full legal name, address, age.
- Numbered factual statements based on personal knowledge only.
- Date, location (state and county) of execution.
- Penalty-of-perjury statement.
- Notary acknowledgment block.