What is an Affidavit of Identity/Affidavit for One and the Same Person/Affidavit of Same Name?

Notary Public
3 days ago
2 min read

If you’ve ever had your name appear differently across documents, you may be asked to provide an Affidavit of Identity, also known as an Affidavit for One and the Same Person or an Affidavit of Same Name.

What Is an Affidavit?

An Affidavit is a sworn legal document where you declare that different versions of your name refer to you and only you. This particular affidavit is used to confirm that multiple variations of names belong to the same individual.

You sign this document in front of a notary public or commissioner for oaths, who verifies your identity and administers the oath or affirmation.

Why Would You Need One?

Name discrepancies happen more often than you think. Even small differences can cause delays or rejections when dealing with official institutions.

Common examples include:

Use of a maiden name vs. married name
Use of Chinese name vs. Pinyin version of Chinese name
Missing or added middle names
Different spellings (e.g., “Jane F Smith” vs. “Jane Fan Smith”)
Typographical errors on documents

An affidavit helps bridge these differences and confirms that all variations refer to the same person.

Where Is an Affidavit of Same Name Used?

This type of affidavit is widely accepted across many institutions. Here are the most common situations where you may need one:

1. Immigration Applications

Government bodies like Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada may request this affidavit if your name differs across passports, IDs, or supporting documents.

2. Real Estate Transactions

Lawyers, lenders, or title companies may require it when:

Your name differs on property records
You are buying or selling property under slightly different names

3. Banking and Financial Institutions

Banks may request an affidavit if:

Your name on your ID does not exactly match your account
There are discrepancies in loan, mortgage, or investment documents

4. School and Credential Verification

Educational institutions or credential evaluators may require it when:

Your diploma or transcripts show a different name
You studied under a maiden or alternate name

5. Legal and Court Matters

Courts and legal professionals may use this affidavit to:

Confirm identity across legal documents
Avoid disputes related to name inconsistencies

6. Employment and Background Checks

Employers or screening agencies may request it if:

Your name varies across employment records
There are discrepancies in background checks

7. Travel and Identification Documents

You may need one when:

Supporting documents (like visas) show different name formats

What Information Is Included?

A typical Affidavit of Identity will include:

Your full legal name
All name variations used
A statement confirming all names refer to you
Your signature
The notary’s signature and seal

Do You Need a Notary?

Yes. This is a sworn affidavit, which means it must be:

Signed in front of a notary public or commissioner for oaths
Properly witnessed and stamped

An affidavit affirming the identity of Jane Doe, detailing various name variations used in different records, signed and notarized for legal acknowledgment.