Affidavit template
SAPS & firearms
An affidavit is a written statement made under oath. Use the checklist to see whether your reason matches an example covered here. The steps explain how to make an affidavit at a police station, where an officer provides a standard form and help. Read the wording closely before you swear to the contents.
Prepare your affidavit
Do not sign before the commissioner of oaths. Review your statement and sign in their presence. This PDF is not signed or certified.
Official downloads
How to use it
- Set out the purpose Before you go, put the purpose into a short sentence for yourself. Use the checklist to identify the closest example. Then explain your own situation in plain words when you ask for the form. The examples can help you recognise the type of statement you need to make, but they are not ready-made wording for your personal account.
- Go to a police station You can make an affidavit at any police station. Tell the officer that you need to make an affidavit and briefly explain its purpose. The officer will provide a standard form for you to complete. Start by asking for that form and describing what you need to record.
- Ask the officer for help If you are unsure how to complete the process, say so and ask the officer to explain the part that concerns you. An officer at the station can help you complete it. Use that help if you are unsure what a section asks for, rather than guessing at its meaning.
- Work through the wording Read each part of the form as you complete it. Consider whether the wording says what you mean. If a phrase is unclear, ask the officer for help while you are completing the process. Take the time you need to understand the statement you are preparing to swear to.
- Review the complete statement Read the whole statement before you swear to its contents. The person making an affidavit swears that the contents are true. Check each part, including details that may seem minor, against what you know. If the wording does not match what you mean, ask for help before swearing to it.
Document checklist
- Lost or stolen document Does your statement concern replacing a lost or stolen document, such as an ID or passport?
- Child travel consent Does this match the example: Giving consent for a child to travel with one parent or a school group?
- Account of events Could you describe the purpose this way: Providing a formal account of events for legal or administrative purposes?
Questions & answers
What does it mean to make a statement under oath?
An affidavit is a written statement made under oath. The person making it swears that the contents are true. Read the full wording carefully and check that it matches what you mean before you swear to it.
What can happen if part of my statement is false?
The person making an affidavit may be prosecuted if any part of the statement is false. Check the details as well as the main point. If something does not reflect what you mean, ask for help before swearing to the completed statement.
Does every lost or stolen document replacement require an affidavit?
Replacing a lost or stolen document, such as an ID or passport, is listed as a situation where an affidavit may be needed. The example does not say that every replacement follows the same rule.
What child travel situation is covered by this example?
The listed example is Giving consent for a child to travel with one parent or a school group. It concerns consent for a child's travel with a parent or a school group.
Can an affidavit give an account of events?
Yes. Providing a formal account of events for legal or administrative purposes is a listed example of when an affidavit may be needed. The contents are sworn to, so check that the account says what you mean and is true.
Related documents
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Sources
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