An affidavit is a written statement voluntarily made by an affiant or deponent under an oath or affirmation which is administered by a person who is authorized to do so by law. Such a statement is witnessed as to the authenticity of the affiant's signature by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public or commissioner of oaths. An affidavit is a type of verified statement or showing, or in other words, it contains a verification, which means that it is made under oath on penalty of perjury, and this serves as evidence for its veracity and is required in court proceedings.

शपथपत्र या हलफ़नामा किसी व्यक्ति द्वारा लिखित रूप में स्वेच्छा से ली गई तथ्यात्मक घोषणा है। यह घोषणा किसी ऐसे व्यक्ति के समक्ष ली जाती है जो विधि द्वारा उसके लिए अधिकृत हो, जैैसे नोटरी पब्लिक या ओथ कमिश्नर।