An affidavit is a written statement made under oath or affirmation, typically used as evidence in court. It's a formal declaration of facts where you swear that the contents are true to the best of your knowledge and belief. A notary public or other authorized official must witness your signature.
A statutory declaration is a written statement that allows a person to declare something to be true. It is similar to an affidavit, but it is made under a statutory provision rather than an oath. A statutory declaration is commonly used for various legal and administrative purposes outside of court.
| Feature | Affidavit | Statutory Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Oath/Affirmation | Made under oath or affirmation | Made under a statutory provision |
| Witnessing | Must be witnessed by a notary public or authorized official | Must be witnessed by a person authorized to take statutory declarations (e.g., lawyer, commissioner of oaths) |
| Use | Primarily used as evidence in court proceedings | Commonly used for legal and administrative purposes outside of court |
| Legal Basis | Governed by rules of evidence and court procedures | Governed by specific statutes or legislation |
| Consequences of False Statement | Perjury (criminal offense) | Making a false statutory declaration is a criminal offense under the relevant statute |
Please log in to post your answer.
Log InEarn 2 Points for answering. If your answer is selected as the best, you'll get +20 Points! 🚀