What is required for an affidavit to be valid?

For an affidavit to be valid, it must be signed under oath. This means that the individual making the affidavit, known as the affiant, must declare that the information contained within the document is true and correct to the best of their knowledge, typically before a notary public or other authorized officer who administers oaths. The requirement for an oath is essential, as it confirms the affiant's commitment to truthfulness and the legal implications of providing false information under oath. This process lends credibility to the statements made in the affidavit and allows it to serve its purpose in legal contexts, such as providing evidence or support for motions in court.

While notarization, witness testimony, and court filing can be relevant to certain legal processes, they are not requirements for the validity of an affidavit itself. Notarization typically accompanies an affidavit to add an extra layer of verification but does not replace the need for the core element of an oath. Witness testimony is not required to create an affidavit, and an affidavit does not necessarily need to be filed with the court to be considered valid; it may be used in various situations, whether or not it is filed in a legal proceeding.