Affidavit of Identity

An Affidavit of Identity is a sworn statement in which a person confirms their legal identity, used to resolve discrepancies in names or records and to satisfy institutions that require additional proof of who someone is. The document helps when a person's name appears differently across records, when signatures must be verified, or when an agency, bank, or court asks for confirmation of identity beyond standard identification. The affiant swears under penalty of perjury before a notary public that they are the named individual and that the identifying details, such as date of birth and address, are accurate. Common uses include confirming that two differently spelled names refer to the same person, supporting a property or financial transaction, and verifying identity for government filings. Because it is sworn, the affidavit carries legal weight, but it supplements rather than replaces government-issued photo identification.

An Affidavit of Identity is needed when records show inconsistent personal information or when an institution requires sworn confirmation that you are the person named in a document. Frequent triggers include a name appearing with different spellings on a title and a deed, a maiden name versus a married name on financial accounts, or a court or government agency asking a party to confirm identity. The affidavit is also used to verify the authenticity of a signature, to support powers of attorney, and to resolve mistaken-identity issues such as a credit report mixing two people with similar names. The affiant signs before a notary public who verifies identity with photo identification and administers the oath. Because the statement is made under penalty of perjury, the affiant should ensure every identifying detail is accurate before signing, as agencies rely on the affidavit to update or reconcile their records.

An Affidavit of Identity should contain the affiant's full legal name, any alternate names or spellings used, date of birth, current address, and a clear statement affirming that all listed identities refer to the same person. When the affidavit resolves a name discrepancy, it should specify the exact variations as they appear in the relevant records and explain the reason for the difference, such as marriage, a clerical error, or use of a middle name. The affiant swears under penalty of perjury before a notary public that the contents are true. Supporting identification numbers, like the last digits of a Social Security number where appropriate, may be included to help the receiving institution match records, though sensitive numbers should be limited to what the agency actually requires. Accuracy matters because the document is sworn and will be used to update official or financial records.

An Affidavit of Identity must be notarized to carry legal weight, because notarization is how the affiant's oath is administered and the signature authenticated. The notary public verifies the affiant's identity using valid government-issued photo identification, witnesses the signature, confirms the affiant swore the contents are true, and completes a jurat with a seal. Without notarization, the affidavit is an unsworn statement and most banks, title companies, and government agencies will not accept it. Some receiving institutions provide their own identity affidavit form and may require additional steps, such as a Medallion Signature Guarantee for securities transactions. Because the document is sworn under penalty of perjury, the affiant should bring proper identification to the notary and confirm every detail is correct before signing. Requirements can vary by state and by the institution requesting the affidavit, so confirming the expected format in advance avoids rejection.

An Affidavit of Identity can support correcting a credit report mix-up or a name error, but it usually works alongside the formal dispute process rather than replacing it. When a credit file mistakenly merges information belonging to another person with a similar name, the affidavit provides sworn confirmation of the consumer's true identity and identifying details, which the consumer submits with a dispute under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681). Credit bureaus and creditors use the affidavit as supporting evidence while investigating and separating the records. The affiant swears under penalty of perjury before a notary public that the identifying information is accurate. For straightforward record discrepancies, an institution may accept the affidavit directly to align differently spelled names. Because each bureau and creditor sets its own documentation requirements, the consumer should confirm what evidence the recipient needs before submitting the affidavit.