An affidavit of identity confirms your identity when standard forms of identification aren’t enough. This notarized document is often required for transactions involving financial institutions, government agencies, or legal matters. By providing a reliable way to prove who you are, affidavits of identity help prevent fraud and ensure smooth processing in critical situations.
When to Use
An affidavit of identity has two purposes:
- Authenticate your identity.
- Verify your signature.
Examples
Several different circumstances may require an affidavit of identity. Below are just a few examples of times when one might be needed:
- Financial institutions may require the document to open bank accounts.
- Government agencies, courts, and private companies may require one to prove the legal name and identity of the minor.
- An affidavit of identity can help if your ID is unavailable due to unexpected events.
Most institutions will notify you if an affidavit of identity is needed for a particular transaction or event.
What to Include
At a minimum, an affidavit of identity should include the following information:
- The signer’s full name
- Date of birth of the signer
- The signer’s address
- The form of identification relied upon
- A signature of the person seeking to be identified
- The signature and seal of a notary public
If the affidavit is to support a fraud allegation, a complete social security number or the last four digits of the signer’s social security number may also be needed.
Acceptable Forms of Government Identification
When preparing an affidavit of identity, it is essential to understand that only certain forms of government-issued identification are acceptable. This includes the following:
- State-issued identification card
- State-issued driver’s license
- United States passport
- United States military identification card
- Resident alien identification card (sometimes called a “green card”)
Some states also allow foreign passports and driver’s licenses from Mexico and Canada.
Other government-issued identification is not considered acceptable. This includes:
- Social Security cards
- Birth certificates
- School identification cards
- City, County, or State employee identification cards
Credit cards and debit cards are not considered acceptable forms of identification.
| Acceptable Forms | Unacceptable Forms |
|---|---|
| State-issued driver’s license | Social Security card |
| U.S. passport | Birth certificate |
| U.S. military ID | School ID |
Credible Witness Verification
If you don’t have acceptable ID, some states allow a credible witness to verify your identity. To qualify, a credible witness must:
- Know you personally.
- Confirm you can’t reasonably get an acceptable ID.
- Have valid government-issued ID themselves.
- Have no financial interest in the transaction.
How to Complete Your Affidavit of Identity
If you want to know how to complete an affidavit of identity, follow these instructions:
- Provide personal details: Include your name, date of birth, and address.
- Add contact information: Provide a phone number and email address for follow-up.
- Prove your identity: List your ID type and issuing state (e.g., passport, driver’s license).
- Get notarized: Visit a notary public to finalize the document.
You can find a notary at locations such as banks, city halls, public libraries, or even online services.
Sample
Below is a sample affidavit of identity form available to download in PDF or Word format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Fill the Affidavit of Identity Out Before Going to a Notary?
No. A notary expects to witness your signature. Consequently, while you can fill out most of the affidavit beforehand, you shouldn’t sign it until you are in the notary’s presence.
Do Affidavits of Identity Expire?
No. Affidavits of identity do not have an expiration date. However, because different circumstances may call for slightly different information in the body of the affidavit, you may create more than one of these documents over the years.
Can an Affidavit of Identity Be Used for Travel?
No, an affidavit of identity is not typically accepted as a travel document. An affidavit of identity may only serve as supplementary documentation in rare cases where additional proof of identity is needed.
What Should I Do if My Affidavit Is Rejected?
If your affidavit of identity is rejected, take the following steps to resolve the issue:
- Verify the rejection reason: Contact the requesting party to understand why the document was denied.
- Correct any errors: Ensure all details, such as names, dates, or addresses, are accurate and match your other records.
- Check notary compliance: Confirm that the affidavit was properly notarized, including the notary’s signature and seal.
- Provide additional documentation: If required, include supplementary proof of identity, such as another form of ID or supporting documents.
- Submit a new affidavit: Redo the document with the necessary corrections and resubmit it to the requesting organization.