Affidavits

An Affidavit is a written statement of facts voluntarily made by an affiant under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law. The following are the parts of an affidavit:

1. The Header

Usually seen on the upper left of an Affidavit, it appears like this.

Republic of the Philippines)

City of Quezon ) S.S.

S.S. means SCILICET/SUBSCRIPSI. SCILICET means "to wit; namely" while SUBSCRIPSI means "to write or sign below". Hence the above is understood to mean, "Republic of the Philippines namely subscribed in City of Quezon". This part of an Affidavit refers to the venue where the same was executed. It also indicates the jurisdiction within which the notary public may administer oaths.

2. The Title

The common title of an Affidavit is Affidavit or if there are two or more affiants, Joint Affidavit. However, there are some Affidavits which has been designated with a name such as Affidavit of Loss, Affidavit of Quitclaim and Affidavit of One and the Same Person.

3. The Body

The body is the majority of the affidavit. It can still be divided into two sub-parts.

A. Opening Statement

An opening statement where the affiant states his name, nationality, that he is of legal age, his residential address and that he has been sworn to in accordance with law. Example:

I, _________________, of legal age, single/married/widow, Filipino citizen, and presently residing at _____________________, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, do hereby depose and say:

B. The Statement of Facts

Here you simply narrate facts. You divide them by paragraphs which you may identify with numbers or letters. The important thing here is that you narrate facts and not conclusions and that you do it in the most accurate way possible.

The last of the paragraphs usually goes like this and it can vary but the meaning should be the same.

I attest to the truth of the foregoing facts and for whatever legal purpose this Affidavit may serve.

4. Signature of the Affiant

This is placed after the body. This is where the affiant signs his name. It appears like this.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ____ day of _______ 20____ at ______________, Philippines.

Signed

_____________________________

Affiant

5. Jurat

The last part of an Affidavit is a jurat. It is the part of the Affidavit wherein the notarial officer indicates that the affiant has subscribed and sworn to in his presence and that the latter has shown a proof of his/her identity to the former. Furthermore, this part is where the notarial officer affixes his seal and signature, notarial information and the record details of the Affidavit. It usually goes like this.

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this _____ day of _________ at ________________ affiant exhibited to his/her competent evidence of identity by way of _________________ issued on __________________ in _______________, Philippines.

Notary Public

Atty. __________________________

Notary Public for ____________

Appointment No. ____ Until _________ 20____

Roll of Attorney No. _________

PTR No. _________ IBP No. _________

MCLE Compliance No. _________

Doc. No. ______;

Page No. ______;

Book No. ______;

Series of ______;