Also known as: verify · verifies · verified · verifying · verifications · affidavit · oath
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A formal declaration under oath or affirmation attesting to the truth of statements in a document or testimony. The declaration must be made in a form that impresses the duty of truthfulness on the declarant's conscience and is often required to support warrants, pleadings, witness testimony, or petitions.
Detective Harlan submits an affidavit detailing surveillance of a suspected drug house to a magistrate. The magistrate reviews the facts and requires Harlan to swear under oath that every statement is true before issuing the warrant. The verification satisfies the constitutional prerequisite for the search to proceed.
Attorney Lena files a complaint on behalf of client Marcus without attaching any sworn statement. Opposing counsel moves to strike the pleading for lack of verification. The court denies the motion because the governing rule does not require verification absent a specific statute or rule demanding it.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Witness Elena is called to testify about events she observed at a warehouse. Before any questions begin, the clerk administers an oath requiring Elena to affirm she will tell the truth. The verification impresses the duty of honesty on her conscience and permits her testimony to proceed.
Spouses Derek and Nora each sign a petition stating under oath that their marriage is irretrievably broken. The court reviews the sworn statements at the hearing and makes a finding on that basis. The verification allows the proceeding to advance without further proof on the breakdown issue.
Applicant Theo appears before the state bar committee and swears to support the federal and state constitutions. The committee accepts the oath as part of the character and fitness review. The verification satisfies the requirement for admission without raising vagueness concerns.
State electors meet and cast ballots for president after each signs a certificate affirming the vote tally. The certificates are transmitted to Congress for counting. The certification supports the constitutional mechanism for selecting the executive.
A pleading need not be verified unless a specific rule or statute requires it. The signature of an attorney or unrepresented party alone satisfies the rule in most cases.
The oath or affirmation must be administered before testimony and designed to impress the duty of truthfulness on the witness's conscience. Any form meeting that purpose is sufficient.
Parties may state under oath that the marriage is irretrievably broken. If both parties so state or one states it without denial, the court makes a finding on that basis after a hearing.
Yes. No warrant shall issue except upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation that particularly describes the place and items to be seized.
…The applicants therefore summoned witnesses to attend court whose voluntary affidavits they could not obtain. Mr. Lee read the affidavit of Dennis Ramsay and the printed journals of the Senate of 31 January 1803 respecting the refusal to give the requested information. He then called Jacob Wagner and Daniel Brent, summoned…