The Must-Know Details When Filing an Affidavit in Washington

If you need a Washington affidavit, you should know that there are different types of affidavits, each for a specific occasion. This guide explains everything you should know before you make an affidavit in Washington.

What Is an Affidavit?

An affidavit is a voluntary, sworn statement made by an individual. The person making the affidavit swears to the truth of the statements in the affidavit before a notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths.

Washington Affidavits are used for a variety of purposes, including:

• • To prove identity

  • To prove residence

  • To establish domicile

  • To provide notice

  • To authorize someone to act on your behalf

In Washington, there are three primary types of affidavits:

Affidavit of Succession

An Affidavit of Succession is used to establish a person's right to take possession of or sell property that belonged to someone who has died. For example, suppose you are the child of someone who died without a will. To take possession of your parent's property, you must file an Affidavit of Succession.

To file an Affidavit of Succession, you must be at least 18 years old and be able to show that you are the rightful heir to the property in question. You will also need to provide a copy of the death certificate.

Affidavit of Surviving Spouse

A surviving spouse uses this affidavit to establish their right to inherit property from a deceased spouse. For example, if your spouse dies without a will, you can use an Affidavit of Surviving Spouse to establish your right to inherit their property.

To file an Affidavit of Surviving Spouse, you must be 18 years old and show that you were married to the deceased person at the time of their death. You will also need to provide a copy of the death certificate.

Affidavit of Inheritance in Washington

An Affidavit of Inheritance is used by a person who has inherited property from a deceased person. For example, if you are the beneficiary of a trust, you may need to file an Affidavit of Inheritance to take possession of the property.

To file an Affidavit of Inheritance, you must be at least 18 years old and be able to show that you are the rightful heir to the property in question. You will also need to provide a copy of the death certificate.

Affidavit Tips

Here are some tips to keep in mind when creating an affidavit in Washington:

• • Make sure that you understand the purpose of the affidavit before you begin

  • Be clear and concise in your statements

  • Do not include any information that is not relevant to the purpose of the affidavit

  • Ensure that your affidavit is signed and dated by you and witnessed by a notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths.

  • Keep a copy of the affidavit for your records.

Differentiating an Affidavit and Statutory Declaration

An affidavit differs from a statutory declaration; affidavit is made under oath, while a statutory declaration is not. A statutory declaration is a written statement that an individual makes and sets out specific facts.

Statutory declarations are not made under oath and are not witnessed by a notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths. However, because they are sworn statements, they can be used as evidence in court.

Making an affidavit in Washington does not have to be complex with the free printable affidavit forms available at forms.legal All you need to do is open the form, fill it out with the required information online, download and have it signed by a notary public or another person authorized by law to administer oaths.