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Affiant

Also called: deponent

A person who makes an affidavit — a written statement sworn to (or affirmed) as true before a notary. The affiant personally appears, is identified, takes an oath or affirmation, and signs the document in the notary's presence, which the notary then completes with a jurat.

RULONA defines a “verification on oath or affirmation” — what older practice calls an affidavit — as “a declaration, made by an individual on oath or affirmation before a notarial officer, that a statement in a record is true” (§ 302). The affiant is that individual. An affiant is distinct from a declarant, who signs under penalty of perjury without the notary administering an oath; affidavits require a jurat, declarations do not.

Source: 57 Pa.C.S. § 305(b) — Verifications upon oath or affirmation — link

See also: jurat, oath, affirmation, declarant

This page is educational information, not legal advice. Pennsylvania notary law changes; always verify against the current version of RULONA (57 Pa.C.S. §§ 301–331) and 4 Pa. Code at pa.gov. Consult a PA-licensed attorney for specific situations.