Affidavit Format and Types: Name Change, Gap, Income, Passport

A standard affidavit format has six parts: a title, the deponent’s details, an opening oath line, numbered statements of fact, a verification clause, and the deponent’s signature with attestation by a notary or oath commissioner. The facts change with the purpose, but the structure stays the same. In Madhya Pradesh, most affidavits are printed on a ₹200 e-stamp and sworn before a notary.

What is an affidavit (shapath patra)?

An affidavit, or shapath patra, is a written statement of facts that you swear or affirm to be true. The person making it is called the deponent. Because it is made on oath, it is treated as evidence, and lying in it is a criminal offence.

It becomes “sworn” only when the deponent signs in front of an authorised person who checks identity and administers the oath:

• A notary public, empowered under the Notaries Act, 1952 to administer oaths and take affidavits.
• An oath commissioner appointed by the court, common for court affidavits.
• A magistrate, where an office specifically asks for it.

A self-declaration is different: a signed statement on plain paper, with no oath or notary. Many government forms now accept one, so check what the office wants first.

Affidavit format: the basic structure

Every affidavit, in English or Hindi, follows roughly this order. Use it to check a draft; it is an outline, not a fill-in template.

1. Heading. The word “Affidavit” (or “Shapath Patra”) and, if it is for a court, the court name and case number.
2. Deponent details. Full name, father’s or husband’s name, age, occupation and complete address, matching your ID.
3. Opening line. A sentence saying you solemnly affirm (or swear) and declare the following.
4. Numbered statements. One fact per paragraph: the facts, the reason, and the purpose of the affidavit. Be specific with dates, numbers and names.
5. Verification clause. A closing paragraph with place and date stating that the contents are true and correct to your knowledge and belief and nothing material has been concealed.
6. Signature and attestation. Your signature as deponent, followed by the notary’s or oath commissioner’s seal, signature, register entry and date.

Skeleton view: AFFIDAVIT → I, [name], [relation] [parent/spouse name], aged [__], resident of [address], do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under: → 1. [fact] 2. [fact] 3. [purpose] → VERIFICATION: Verified at [place] on [date] that the contents above are true and correct… → DEPONENT (signature) → Notary attestation.

Common types of affidavits and what each must contain

Name change affidavit

An affidavit for name change is the first step, not the last. It should give your old name, your new name, the reason (marriage, divorce, religion, numerology, spelling correction) and a statement that both names belong to the same person. Next comes a public notice in newspapers, and for many purposes, publication in the official Gazette.

Gazette publication for individuals is handled by the Department of Publication through the eGazette portal. Government employees generally need it, and it is the strongest proof for updating PAN, bank and certificates. For a major name change in a passport, the passport office asks for newspaper clippings or the Gazette notification, plus documents already issued in the new name. A minor spelling correction is treated more simply.

Gap affidavit (gap certificate)

Colleges ask for a gap affidavit when there is a break after your last exam. Besides the points in the table, give your roll number, the reason for the gap (preparation, illness, job, family) and, if true, that you were not enrolled elsewhere. Many institutions call this a “gap certificate” and have their own format; use it if they do.

Income affidavit

An income affidavit is your sworn statement of family income: earning members, sources (salary, business, farming, pension), total annual income and purpose. It is not the same as an income certificate, which in MP is issued by the revenue authorities through Lok Seva Kendras.

Address proof affidavit

Useful for tenants, students and people who have recently moved. State your present address, how long you have lived there, whether you own or rent it, and attach proof such as a rent agreement or the owner’s utility bill.

Affidavit for passport and passport annexures

For passports, the rules are friendlier than people think. Since the Ministry of External Affairs simplified them in 2016, passport annexures are to be given as self-declarations on plain paper, and attestation or swearing before a notary or magistrate is not required. The specimen formats are in the official Passport Seva instruction booklet. The main ones are:

• Annexure A: Identity Certificate for government and PSU employees (issued by the employer).
• Annexure C, D and I: declarations by parents or guardians for a minor’s passport.
• Annexure F: declaration for a passport in lieu of a lost or damaged passport, explaining how and when it was lost and the police report details.
• Annexure G and H: No Objection Certificate and Prior Intimation letter for government employees.
• Annexure J: joint declaration by husband and wife in lieu of a marriage certificate.

Download the latest annexure before filling it. Cases like a change in date of birth still need specific affidavits or orders.

Marriage, birth certificate and lost document affidavits

A marriage affidavit is usually a joint affidavit by husband and wife with photos. A birth certificate affidavit is needed when a birth is registered late: after 30 days and within one year, the registrar asks for an affidavit and permission; longer delays need a magistrate’s order under rules amended from 1 October 2026, so check with the registrar (Indore Municipal Corporation for city areas) first. A lost document affidavit should name the document and number, say when and where it was lost, cite your police report, and promise to return the original if found.

Stamp paper value for an affidavit in MP

Since the Indian Stamp (Madhya Pradesh Amendment) Act, 2025 came into force on 9 September 2025, an affidavit in MP generally needs ₹200 of stamp duty (it was ₹50 earlier). It is paid as an e-stamp on SAMPADA 2.0 with the deponent as first party. Court affidavits and plain-paper self-declarations follow different rules. See our e-stamp paper guide for MP.

Documents to bring for an affidavit

• Original Aadhaar card (plus PAN or another photo ID if the affidavit mentions it)
• Any format or checklist given by the college, bank or office
• Supporting papers: marksheets (gap), old and new name documents (name change), police report (lost document), photos and both spouses’ IDs (marriage)
• Exact spellings, dates and document numbers
• For a joint affidavit, every deponent with their own ID

How to get an affidavit made: step by step

1. Confirm the requirement. Ask whether the office wants a sworn affidavit on stamp paper or a plain-paper declaration. This one question can save time and money.
2. Get the draft prepared in the office’s format, or the structure above, in English or Hindi.
3. Check every fact. Names, dates, numbers and addresses must match your documents.
4. Generate the e-stamp (₹200, or the applicable value) in the deponent’s name and print the affidavit on it.
5. Sign before the notary with original ID. The notary verifies identity, administers the oath, signs, seals and records the entry.
6. Keep copies. Submit the original and keep a scan. For copies later, see self-attested vs true copy vs notary attestation.

Getting your affidavit done in Indore

If you have searched “affidavit near me”, here is how we make it quick at Kanha Associates. Our office is at Shop No. 3, 917 Khatiwala Tank, Tower Chouraha, Indore, open Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM.

• WhatsApp first: send your purpose and any format to +91 91713 55550. We tell you what you need and prepare the draft in English or Hindi.
• One visit: e-stamp, printing and notary are handled together.
• Personal presence is required: the notary must see each deponent with original ID.

People reach us from Vijay Nagar, Palasia, Bhawarkua, Rajwada, AB Road and Sapna Sangeeta, and from Rau, Mhow, Pithampur, Sanwer, Dewas, Dhar and Ujjain. For more about notarisation, read notary in Indore, or browse our legal documentation and certification solutions. Directions are on the contact page.

This guide is for general information and is not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm current requirements before you apply.

A good affidavit is short, accurate and matches your documents. Not sure which affidavit format your college, bank or office wants? WhatsApp us on +91 91713 55550, then visit Tower Chouraha once for e-stamp, signing and notary.