Common uses
- Providing a clear written statement or authorization.
- Supporting a request from a school, business, agency, or service provider.
- Creating a signed record that may require acknowledgment or an oath.
Before your notary session
- Confirm the recipient accepts a general template.
- Review names, dates, addresses, and identification details carefully.
- Do not sign until you are connected with the notary unless instructed otherwise.
Who should use this document?
- A person asked to make a sworn statement confirming identity, biographical facts, or the connection between records.
- A recipient reviewing inconsistent, incomplete, translated, or otherwise difficult-to-match identity documents.
When is notarization commonly requested?
Banks, schools, insurers, courts, government agencies, employers, and record custodians may request a notarized identity affidavit. The affidavit does not replace valid identification or an official correction process unless the recipient expressly accepts it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using identity facts that do not match supporting records.
- Failing to explain how different names, dates, or records relate.
- Treating the affidavit as a replacement for required government identification.
- Signing before the required oath or acknowledgment.
Compare these documents
These documents can appear in similar situations, but they serve different purposes. Confirm which one the receiving organization wants.
Identity Affidavit
Focuses on identity facts, records, and matching information.
General Affidavit
Covers a wider range of facts when no specialized form is required.
Read the related guideFrequently asked questions
Can an identity affidavit replace a government ID?
Usually not. It is a sworn explanation, and the receiving organization decides whether it accepts it alongside the identification or records it requires.
Should I list every record that uses a different identity detail?
List the relevant records and explain the connection accurately, but follow the recipient’s instructions about attachments and sensitive information.