Facts about the Affidavit of Identity template

Contents

What is an Affidavit of Identity?

An affidavit of identity is a document that legally affirms you are who you say you are. In the 21st century, as technology grows increasingly pervasive in our daily lives, the ability to prove your identity is more important than ever. Working, shopping and taking care of other tasks online is convenient — not only for you but also for criminals who’d like to take your debit card number and other personal information for a spin. A stolen identity isn’t the only reason why you might need proof of identity, however. From getting a mortgage to renting a lattice boom crane, the list of occasions when you need to legally establish your identity is longer than you might think. A variety of court proceedings require an identity affidavit. Assigning power of attorney and transferring a title often do, too.
What’s more, these situations where you need proof of ID vary from state to state as well. In Michigan, for example, an affidavit of identity is required to run for an elected position. Fortunately, completing an affidavit of identity is typically a short, straightforward process. You’ll need the right form, an acceptable form of government-issued ID, and the help of a notary public.

What Is an Affidavit of Identity Used For?

If your identity’s been stolen, you may need an affidavit of identity to deal with various organizations, such as law enforcement or a credit bureau, as you work to resolve the situation. In certain states, you may also need to prove your identity when filing your state income tax returns. There are several other occasions that often require an identity affidavit. You might also need one:

  • To complete certain banking transactions
  • To run for office in certain states
  • When dealing with a title company
  • When doing business under your business’s name as a sole proprietor
  • When writing temporary guardianship documents
  • For various court proceedings

Additionally, you may find that a business owner requires you to submit an affidavit of identity. This occurs most frequently in situations where expensive goods and equipment are rented. Verifying the renter’s identity protects the company against fraud, damage and loss.

Why should you use an Affidavit of Identity?

Using an affidavit of identity serves two main purposes. First, it establishes without a doubt that you are who you say you are. If your identity has been stolen, you want to run for political office, or you need to establish that a bank account belongs to you, you can utilize this type of affidavit. Failure to do so can suggest to police or the IRS that you’re not the person you claim to be.
Second, an affidavit of identity is required to complete important transactions. If you want to get a mortgage, for example, adopt, or file a variety of lawsuits, you’ll likely need to provide an affidavit of identity in order to advance. Certain businesses may also require you to provide an identity affidavit to complete transactions such as renting heavy equipment.

How to write an Affidavit of Identity?

Filling out an affidavit of identity is an uncomplicated process. Typically, you’ll need to provide the following:

  • Your full, legal name
  • Your date of birth
  • Your address
  • An acceptable form of government ID
  • Your signature
  • The signature and seal of a notary public

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the affidavit’s use, you may also be required to provide additional information. There are various forms of government-issued identification that you can use to support your affidavit. They include:

  • A driver’s license
  • A state ID card
  • A United States military ID
  • A United States passport
  • A resident alien ID card (a.k.a. a green card)

Other types of ID cannot be used to complete an affidavit of identity. They include items such as the following:

  • Birth certificates
  • Student or employee ID cards
  • Library cards
  • Social security cards

Some states, however, will also let you use a Mexican driver’s license, a Canadian driver’s license or a foreign passport to establish your identity for the affidavit. In the event that you don’t possess any acceptable form of identification, some states will allow you to provide credible witness verification instead. Your witness needs to have his or her own form of acceptable ID. He or she will also have to sign an additional affidavit, which attests that:

  • You don’t have any of the other forms of acceptable ID
  • You can’t easily get one of those other forms of ID
  • He or she doesn’t have anything to gain from the use of your identity affidavit

How to Fill Out an Affidavit of Identity with PDFSimpli in Five Steps

  • 1: Preparation

    Before you complete your form, it helps to have everything you need on hand. Since you’ll be filling out your own personal details, this isn’t usually a challenge, but it is important to make sure you have an acceptable form of ID to submit. If your specific case requires additional information, such as details regarding property, round that up ahead of time as well.

  • 2: Choosing a Software

    While you can certainly obtain a physical copy of the affidavit, it’s typically easier and more efficient to fill it out online. With our PDFSimpli software, you can start completing your affidavit now and finish it at a time that’s convenient for you. Many other PDF editors don’t include the ability to save your work for later, and instead require you to print it out ASAP. Being able to edit your work or add more information as it’s requested makes completing an affidavit of identify a straightforward and stress-free process.

  • 3: Filling Out or Edit the Affidavit Of Identity:

    Completing an affidavit of identity is usually a simple process, especially compared to other legal documents. PDFSimpli’s software streamlines the process even further by highlighting the areas you need to edit in blue. If you need to come back and add more details later, you can easily save and retrieve your work.

  • 4: Review

    Even though the affidavit of identity is fairly simple, be sure to review it closely before printing it out and taking it to a notary. Verify that all of the information is accurate, including the date.

  • 5: Save, Download, Print or Send for E-Signature

    After you’ve ensured that your document is filled out correctly, save it one last time, and then print it out. Do not sign it. Take the almost-completed form to a notary public. He or she needs to witness your signature before signing off on it and sealing it.

Affidavit of Identity Frequently Asked Questions

While the easiest way to locate a nearby notary is to look online, notaries are often on staff at the following places:

• City hall

• Public libraries

• Banks

• Courthouses

• Real estate agencies

• Shipping and copy shops, such as FedEx Office or the UPS Store

Additionally, you may be able to locate a notary at the police station, real estate agencies or even a hotel business center.

He or she needs to see your accepted form of government-issued ID and witness the act of you signing your affidavit. The notary will inspect your ID to verify that you are the person pictured, and then he or she will examine the paperwork itself to look for signs of fraud, such as forgery or modifications. Once the notary determines that everything is in order, he or she will witness your signature. After that, he or she will also sign and date the affidavit. Finally, the notary will stamp it with his or her official seal.

It does not. That said, you may have to create a new affidavit in the future depending on the situation surrounding the document and why you need it. For example, the exact details of the identity affidavit that you created 10 years ago for your mortgage likely won’t suffice for the affidavit of identity you currently need because your credit card number was stolen online.