An affidavit is a written statement in which the signer swears that the contents of the document are true and correct. It is a legal document that is used in various legal scenarios, such as bankruptcies, writing a will, divorce proceedings, and court cases. Affidavits are often more convenient than swearing an oath because they do not require the person attesting the information to be present. However, an affidavit must be notarized, signed in the presence of witnesses, and the affiant must swear that the facts contained in it are true and correct. Notarization of an affidavit is the formal fraud-deterrent procedure that guarantees that the parties of a particular transaction have an authentic document and can be reliable. The notary public is there to ensure the validity of the signature and guarantee that the signature was applied voluntarily and without coercion. Once the affiant acknowledges signing the document for its intended purpose and signs the affidavit, the document is notarized and becomes a sworn affidavit. The notarys seal and signature formally authenticate the affidavit, giving it legal credibility.