General Affidavit Format & Template
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Stamp paper required — non-judicial stamp paper of the value prescribed by your state. You'll receive the draft; e-stamping is done separately per your state's rules.
What is a General Affidavit?
A general affidavit is the blank form of the sworn statement: you state, on oath, whatever facts the situation calls for, and a notary attests that you swore them. Indian authorities ask for one constantly — to explain a discrepancy, to confirm something no certificate covers, to take responsibility for a claim.
Use it when the office in front of you says "give an affidavit" without naming a format. If they have published a format, use theirs; if the subject has a standard affidavit of its own — name change, income, domicile — use that one, because the wording is already tuned to what the authority expects.
When to use it
- An authority asks for a written declaration on oath and gives you no prescribed format.
- You need to explain a discrepancy between two documents — a date, a spelling, a missing record.
- You are declaring a loss (of a document, a cheque, a certificate) before applying for a duplicate.
- You are confirming facts about yourself or your family that no certificate covers.
- A court, bank, insurer or employer asks you to put an undertaking in writing.
What you'll need
Keep these details ready — the form asks for them in this order.
Deponent
Your full name · Relationship · Father's / Husband's name · Age · Occupation · Address
Statement
Statement of facts · Purpose of this affidavit
Verification
Place of signing · Date
How it works
Write the facts plainly
One fact per line, in the order they happened. Write only what you personally know to be true — an affidavit is evidence on oath, not an argument.
State the purpose
Name the authority or the application the affidavit supports. An affidavit with no stated purpose reads as loose and often gets questioned.
Preview and download
Check the draft on the right, pay ₹49, download the PDF.
Print on stamp paper and notarise
Print on non-judicial stamp paper of your state’s value, then sign it in front of a Notary Public with your original ID in hand.
How to make it legally valid
- Non-judicial stamp paper of the value your state prescribes — not plain paper.
- Signed by you in the physical presence of a Notary Public or First Class Magistrate.
- Notary’s signature, seal and register entry on the document.
- Every fact stated must be within your own knowledge. If something is based on information from someone else, say so in that paragraph.
- The verification clause at the end must be signed too — it is what makes the statement an affidavit rather than a letter.
Stamp paper. Print the affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper. The value is fixed by your state, not by us — commonly Rs. 10 in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, Rs. 20 in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Rs. 50 in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Rs. 100 in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Ask the stamp vendor or your notary for the current value in your state: using a lower denomination than required is the most common reason an affidavit is handed back.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing arguments or opinions instead of facts. An affidavit states what is; it does not persuade.
- Declaring something you were told rather than something you know, without saying which is which.
- Using a general affidavit where a specific one exists — an income or domicile affidavit will be accepted more readily than a general one covering the same ground.
- Leaving the purpose blank.
- Signing before reaching the notary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an affidavit and a declaration?
An affidavit is sworn or affirmed on oath before a person authorised to administer it — a notary or a magistrate — and a false statement in it attracts criminal liability for false evidence. A plain declaration is simply a signed statement. Where an authority asks for an affidavit, a declaration will not do.
Can I write anything I want in a general affidavit?
You can declare any facts that are true and within your knowledge, for a lawful purpose. You cannot use an affidavit to create rights you do not have — an affidavit cannot transfer property, dissolve a marriage, or override a registered document.
What stamp paper value applies?
It is set by your state. Commonly Rs. 10 in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, Rs. 20 in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Rs. 50 in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Rs. 100 in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Confirm the current value with the stamp vendor or your notary.
Does a general affidavit need to be registered?
No. Affidavits are notarised, not registered. Registration at the Sub-Registrar’s office applies to deeds and certain agreements, not to affidavits.
Is a notarised affidavit valid across all of India?
Yes. A notary appointed under the Notaries Act, 1952 can attest documents used anywhere in India. Some authorities additionally ask for the affidavit to be sworn before a magistrate — they will say so if they do.
Can I use one affidavit for two different purposes?
It is better not to. Authorities usually retain the original, and an affidavit that names a different purpose than the one in front of them invites questions. Execute a separate affidavit for each application.
Can a company or a firm swear an affidavit?
An entity cannot swear an oath, but an authorised person — a director, partner or authorised signatory — can swear on its behalf, stating their authority and attaching the board resolution or authority letter.
Do I need two witnesses on an affidavit?
No. Witnesses are for deeds and agreements. An affidavit is authenticated by the notary’s attestation.
What if I need to correct something after notarisation?
Do not overwrite or annotate an attested affidavit — it will be treated as tampered. Execute a fresh affidavit with the correct facts, and a short supplementary affidavit explaining the correction if the earlier one has already been filed.
How soon should I submit it after notarisation?
As soon as you can. There is no statutory expiry, but many authorities decline affidavits older than three to six months.
Ready to prepare your General Affidavit?
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This is a self-help template for common situations — it is not legal advice and LawMitran is not a law firm. Need help with your general affidavit? Find a documentation lawyer · Legal documents FAQs.