Affidavit of Birth

When you are a child, your parents or guardians take care of all your records, including the birth certificate. However, as soon as you are of adult age, this becomes your responsibility.

Sometimes records are lost permanently, which could prove to be a big problem in your everyday life. In the case of the birth certificate, if a person has lost or misplaced it irrevocably or otherwise doesn't have a birth certificate, they can have someone else furnish an Affidavit of Birth testifying to their birth details.

What Is an Affidavit of Birth?

On the Affidavit of Birth, the affiant swears to have been born at a time and place as recorded. The affiant is usually one of the living parents, but any older relative who was of this earth at the time of the birth can attest to the birth details.

If not a relative, a medical staff member, such as a doctor or nurse, can also serve as the affiant. 

Other Names for Affidavit of Birth

Depending on your state, an Affidavit of Birth may also be known as:

• Affidavit in Proof of Date of Birth
• Affidavit of Live Birth
• Date of Birth Affidavit
• Affidavit of birth certificate
• DS 10 Form

Who Needs an Affidavit of Birth?

By all accounts, an Affidavit of Birth can serve several self-same purposes as the birth certificate. You can use an Affidavit of Birth instead of your birth certificate whenever needed, though that is getting rarer and rarer today. You may need a birth certificate in certain jurisdictions to apply for a marriage license, but anything bearing your DOB should work, including your driver's license and passport.

Why Use Swyft Forms for Your Affidavit of Birth?

Customized for you, by you

Create your own documents by answering our easy-to-understand questionnaires to get exactly what you need out of your Affidavit of Birth.

Specific to Your Jurisdiction

Laws vary by location. Each document on Swyft Forms is customized for your state.

How to Create an Affidavit of Birth with Swyft Forms

Are you wondering which details should you include in the Affidavit of Birth?

Let Swyft Forms help with our extensive library of attorney-vetted legal forms. The process is fast and easy. All you have to do is fill out our easy-to-understand questionnaire. Once complete, simply download your form as a PDF or Word document from your secure online account.

What Information Will I Need to Create My Affidavit of Birth?

To create your document, please provide:

• Applicant Details: The legal name, place of birth, and date of birth of the person applying for the affidavit.
• Affiant Details: The legal name and contact information of the person furnishing the affidavit.
• Mother's Name: The legal name, including married and maiden as applicable, of the applicant's mother.
• Father's Name: The legal name of the applicant's father.
• Relationship Specification: Specify how the affiant is related to the applicant.
• Purpose: Furnish the purpose for applying for the affidavit.
• State: The state where the affidavit is to be sworn to.
• Date: The date when the affidavit is to be created.
• Statement: The affiant's sworn statement to the accuracy of the affidavit.
• Signatures: The affiant must sign the affidavit in front of a notary public.

Affidavit of Birth Terms

• Affidavit: A sworn written statement that can be used as evidence in court.
• Affiant: In the context of an Affidavit of Birth, this is the person making the affidavit.
• Applicant: In the context of an Affidavit of Birth, the person whose birth details are supplied in the affidavit.
• Solemn Oath: A promise made in front of a witness.
• USCIS: The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services under DHS.
• Vital Records: Official records of life events such as birth, marriage, and death.
• Midwife: A person professionally trained to assist with childbirth.
• Perjury: The act of lying under oath.

Affidavit of Birth Signing Requirements

Before signing, the affiant should review and confirm the accuracy of the document. For the Affidavit of Birth to be valid, the affiant must sign it in front of a notary public.

What to Do with Your Affidavit of Birth?

After the Affidavit of Birth is notarized, you can use it to apply for a new birth certificate. If needed, you can also use it to apply for school admission, a marriage license, your passport, or driver's license.