Affidavit Of One And The Same

An Affidavit of One and the Same is a sworn statement confirming that two or more different names appearing on documents refer to the same individual. People most often use it to clear up name discrepancies on legal, financial, or property records, and you can download it free here in both PDF and DOCX formats — no signup required.

What Is an Affidavit of One and the Same?

An Affidavit of One and the Same is a notarized declaration in which a person (the affiant) swears under oath that two variations of a name — for example, a maiden name and a married name, a misspelling, or a shortened version — all identify the same person. It is typically prepared by the individual whose name is in question and signed in front of a notary public. The document does not change your legal name; instead, it bridges the gap when records show inconsistent spellings or forms of your name. Banks, title companies, government agencies, and courts often request it so they can confidently link records that would otherwise appear to belong to different people.

When Do You Need an Affidavit of One and the Same?

Name mismatches surface in many everyday situations. This affidavit provides a clean, sworn way to resolve them. Common scenarios include:

• Property transactions — when a deed lists your name one way and your mortgage or title document lists it differently.
• Banking and finance — when an account, loan, or insurance policy carries a maiden name, nickname, or misspelled name.
• Inheritance and estate matters — when a will, beneficiary designation, or estate record uses a name that differs from your current legal name.
• Immigration and identity documents — when a passport, visa, or foreign record spells your name differently than your domestic records.
• Employment and education records — when a diploma, transcript, or pay record uses a name that does not exactly match your ID.
• Government benefits — when Social Security, pension, or tax records show variations that must be reconciled.

What an Affidavit of One and the Same Should Have

To be accepted, the affidavit must clearly identify the affiant and state the connection between the names without ambiguity. A complete document includes the state and county where it is sworn, the affiant’s full legal name and residential address, a precise statement explaining that the differing names belong to one and the same person, the affiant’s signature, and a notary acknowledgment block confirming the document was subscribed and sworn before a notary public. The sworn-statement portion is the heart of the affidavit and should spell out every name variation exactly as it appears on the records you are trying to reconcile.

How to Fill Out an Affidavit of One and the Same

1. State and County: Enter the state and county where you are signing the affidavit at the top, where it reads “STATE OF” and “COUNTY OF.”
2. Affiant name: After “I,” type your full legal name as it appears on your primary identification.
3. Residence: Fill in your complete residential address where it reads “residing at,” then enter your county and state in the spaces provided.
4. The sworn statement: In the blank following “do hereby depose and attest that,” write the exact name variations and confirm they refer to you — for example, “that I am known as John A. Smith and John Alan Smith, and that both names refer to one and the same person.”
5. Signature: Sign on the “AFFIANT” line, but only in the presence of the notary.
6. Notary section: Leave the day, month, and year blank for the notary; the notary completes the acknowledgment, signs as Notary Public, lists the county, and records when the commission expires.

Notarization and Filing Notes

Because this is a sworn affidavit, it must be notarized to carry legal weight. Bring valid government-issued photo identification and do not sign until the notary instructs you to. The notary will administer an oath, witness your signature, and complete the acknowledgment block, including the commission expiration date. Some institutions accept the affidavit as-is, while others may keep it on file with the related record. If the document will be used out of state or abroad, ask whether an apostille or additional certification is required. Keep the original in a safe place and provide certified or notarized copies to any party that needs to reconcile your records.

How It Differs From a Name Change

It is important to understand that this affidavit does not legally change your name. A legal name change is usually accomplished through a court order or a recorded event such as marriage. An Affidavit of One and the Same simply documents that existing name variations belong to a single person, allowing institutions to treat the records as connected. If your goal is to adopt a new name going forward, you will need a different process; if your goal is to explain or link existing discrepancies, this affidavit is the right tool.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Signing before the notary — your signature must be witnessed, so wait until you are in front of the notary public.
• Listing names inexactly — copy each name variation exactly as it appears on the underlying records, including middle names and initials.
• Leaving the state or county blank — the jurisdiction lines must match where the affidavit is actually sworn.
• Using an incomplete address — provide your full residential address, not just a city or PO box, where required.
• Forgetting supporting documents — attach or reference the documents showing the differing names so the reviewing party can verify the connection.
• Skipping notarization — an unsworn, unnotarized statement will usually be rejected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Affidavit of One and the Same used for? It is used to confirm under oath that two or more different versions of a name belong to the same person. This helps banks, title companies, courts, and agencies reconcile records that would otherwise appear to belong to separate individuals. It is especially common during property transfers, inheritance matters, and identity verification.

Does this affidavit need to be notarized? Yes. As a sworn statement, it must be signed in the presence of a notary public who administers an oath and completes the acknowledgment block. Without notarization, most institutions will not accept it.

Does an Affidavit of One and the Same change my legal name? No. It only documents that existing name variations refer to one person; it does not establish a new legal name. To change your name legally, you generally need a court order or another qualifying legal event.

Is this affidavit legally binding? When properly completed, sworn, and notarized, it is a legally significant sworn statement, and making a false statement on it can carry penalties for perjury. Its acceptance still depends on the policies of the institution requesting it. Always confirm what that party requires before submitting.

How much does this template cost? The template on Business Forms Pro is completely free to download in PDF and DOCX with no signup. You may pay a small fee to a notary for the notarization itself, but the form is free.

Can I list more than two names on one affidavit? Yes. You can include all relevant name variations in the sworn statement, as long as each is written exactly as it appears on the corresponding records. Be clear and specific so the reviewing party can match every variation to your identity.

This template is a general example provided for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Requirements for affidavits vary by jurisdiction and by the institution requesting the document. Consult a qualified attorney or notary to ensure your affidavit meets applicable requirements.

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