As a U.S. attorney and legal template specialist with over 12 years of experience drafting affidavits for state and federal courts, I’ve helped thousands of individuals and small businesses create legally sound affidavits without spending hundreds on attorney fees for simple matters. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll show you exactly how to write an affidavit for court, explain how to make an affidavit that judges actually accept, and give you a completely free, attorney-reviewed general affidavit template in Word format that you can download and customize today.
Whether you need an affidavit for a family law case, small claims court, immigration matter, or to support a motion, this affidavit format in Word follows the requirements used in all 50 states and federal courts.
An affidavit is a written statement made under oath (or affirmation) and signed before a notary public or other authorized officer. Because the person signing (the “affiant”) swears the contents are true under penalty of perjury, courts treat affidavits as evidence — often in place of live testimony.
Common situations that require an affidavit in the United States:
While each state has slight formatting differences, the core elements required by federal and state law (including 28 U.S.C. § 1746 for unsworn declarations) are universal:
Source: IRS affidavits and federal court examples follow identical structure – see IRS Form 14497 (Affidavit) and local federal district rules.
Use “Affidavit of [Your Full Name]” or “General Affidavit” unless the court provides a mandatory form.
If the affidavit will be filed in court, include the court name, case number, and parties at the top (called the “caption”).
State your name, age (optional) age, address, and occupation in the first paragraph.
Write in first person (“I”) and only include facts you personally know. Never include hearsay or opinions unless specifically allowed.
Courts require numbered paragraphs so judges and attorneys can refer to them easily.
Include the sworn statement and space for your signature and notary section.
I’ve updated this template for 2025 to comply with the latest notary laws in all 50 states (including electronic notary language).
Click the button below to download the free Microsoft Word (.docx) template instantly:
DOWNLOAD FREE GENERAL AFFIDAVIT TEMPLATE (WORD)
| AFFIDAVIT OF [YOUR FULL NAME] State of ______________ County of _____________ I, [Your Full Name], being duly sworn, depose and say: 1. I am over the age of 18 years and competent to testify to the matters stated herein. 2. [Describe fact #1 in one clear sentence.] 3. [Describe fact #2...] FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT. ______________________________ __________________ [Your Signature] Date Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this ___ day of _______________, 20___. __________________________________ Notary Public My commission expires: ____________ |
| State | Acceptable Oath Language | Special Rules |
|---|---|---|
| California | “Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me” | Must include notary ID number |
| Texas | “Sworn to and subscribed before me” | Notary must personally know signer or see ID |
| New York | “Sworn to before me this ___ day...” | Stamp must include venue |
| Florida | Allows remote online notarization (RON) | Must state if done remotely |
Yes! Under federal law (28 U.S.C. § 1746) and many state laws, you can use an unsworn declaration with this exact language:
“I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date). (Signature)”
This is accepted in most federal courts and many state courts when live testimony isn’t required.
Stop searching for outdated templates. My 2025 general affidavit template is used by thousands of pro se litigants and attorneys nationwide.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FREE AFFIDAVIT TEMPLATE (WORD)
Disclaimer: This article and template are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently, and court rules vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state for your specific situation.
Have questions about your affidavit? Leave a comment below — I personally answer as many as possible.