Affidavit of One and the Same Person: A Guide to Resolving Name Issues

An affidavit of one and the same person is a useful yet essential document, especially for people having different names in various legal or official documents. This legal affidavit comes in handy when verifying the personal details and names of an individual across various official documents.

Now, who requires this legal affidavit? People whose name is misspelled or spelled differently on their birth certificate, school marksheet & records, passport, and other official documents, require an affidavit of one and the same person.

In this article, we will help you understand the importance of this affidavit and the reasons why it is needed, and how you can draft this legal affidavit on your own. We will also explore several related topics and terms such as one and the same affidavit, affidavit for the same person with different name, one and the same person affidavit for passport, and so on.

What is an Affidavit of One and the Same Person?

An affidavit of one and the same person is a valuable legal document that is used to state that two or more names mentioned in various official documents belong to the same person. This document also helps clear up any confusion when a person’s name is written differently on different official documents.

For example, you are “Ramesh Kumar” and your name is recorded as “Ramesh Kumar” on your birth certificate, “Ramesh Kumar Yadav” in your school records, and “R. Kumar” on your bank account. The affidavit of one and the same person helps confirm that all these different names belong to one individual that is you..

Why Is an Affidavit of One and the Same Person Important?

The affidavit of one and the same person serves several important functions in both personal and legal contexts. Here are some common reasons why it is needed:

Resolving Name Discrepancies

There are various reasons why a person’s name might appear differently on different legal or official documents such as spelling mistakes, regional variations, typographical errors, and so on.
For example; names such as Sumit can sometimes be written as Sumith or Sumer which can cause confusion in legal and official documents. This affidavit helps clear up such confusion and discrepancies.

Passport Applications

Now if you are applying for a passport and if your name doesn’t match with the name on your birth certificate and other official documents then you are likely to be asked to submit an affidavit of one and the same person.
This affidavit helps authorities understand and confirm that the person applying for the passport is the same person whose name appears on the birth certificate or other documents.

Banking and Financial Matters

Banks and financial institutions often ask individuals with different names on their documents to provide them with proof or documents that confirm that the different names on their documents belong to the same person.
For example, if your PAN card shows your name as “Ravi Kumar” but your bank account lists “Ravi K.”, you may need to submit an affidavit of one and the same person to ensure that the records match.

Property Transactions

In case your name appears differently in property documents and doesn’t match with your other official legal documents, you will need an affidavit during property deals and transactions. This affidavit acts as ID proof and confirms that you are the same person and the rightful owner of the property.

Legal and Court Matters

If your name appears differently in different legal documents while dealing with legal matters, the court or jurisdiction might ask for an affidavit. The affidavit helps confirm your identity that even though you have different names on your legal documents, they all belong to the one person that is you.

When Do You Need an Affidavit of One and the Same Person?

There are several scenarios where an affidavit of one and the same person might be needed. These include, but are not limited to:

Name Variations

You’ve used different spellings of your name across various documents, and need to clarify that they all refer to you.

Name Change

If you have legally changed your name (for example, after marriage or for personal reasons), the affidavit confirms that the new name refers to the same individual.

Discrepancies in Legal Documents

You might have a situation where documents like your school records, birth certificate, or other government documents list your name in different ways.

How to Draft an Affidavit of One and the Same Person in India

Now that you understand what an affidavit is and why it is so important, let’s learn how you can draft it.

Drafting this affidavit is quite easy and simple but there are a few important details that you need to include in your draft:

Title of the Affidavit

The affidavit should begin with the title “Affidavit of One and the Same Person” to clearly indicate the purpose of the document.

Introduction and Personal Details

The next section of the affidavit should always contain the affiant’s full name (an affiant is the person making the declaration,) address, and occupation. It is important to include accurate and correct personal information that confirms the identity of the individual.

Statement of Facts

Here’s an example to help understand how an individual should list all the names they have used in their various legal documents:

• Name on the birth certificate: Ramesh Kumar
• Name in the school records: Ramesh Kumar Yadav
• Name on the bank account: R. Kumar

The affiant should explain why there are discrepancies (e.g., clerical errors, abbreviations, name changes, etc.) and state that all these names refer to the same individual.

Affirmation of Identity

The individual must clearly state that all these different names used in the various legal documents belong to the same person. They should also affirm that despite the variation of their names, it is only one identity and all the legal or official documents should be recognized as belonging to the same person.

Notarization and Signature

It is one of the most important parts of the affidavit that the affidavit must be signed by the individual in the presence of a notary public. To make the affidavit legally valid, the notary will stamp and sign the document and it’s done.

Witness Details

In various cases, a witness is required to sign the affidavit, especially if there are legal proceedings and complications. Details of the witness such as the name, address, and signature should be included.

What Are the Documents Required for One and the Same Person Affidavit?

For crafting an affidavit for one and the same person you require a set of your legal or official documents that shows all your name variations and other personal details. You can use official documents as proof for your affidavit.

List of the documents required for one and the same person:

• Birth Certificate: You’ll need your original birth certificate that clearly shows your name on it.
• ID Proof: ID proof such as your driver’s license, passport, or any other government-issued ID that has your name on it.
• Address Proof: A proof of address that shows your name and the current place you live.
• Other Documents: Documents such as bank statements, property deeds, educational certificates, marriage certificates, and so on.

Can I Download an Affidavit for the Same Person with Different Names in Word or PDF Format?

Yes, you can easily download an affidavit for the same person with different names in Word or PDF format as there are various templates available online. These templates are designed and created for people who want a quick and easy solution.

However, it is essential to first personalize the template according to your needs and requirements.

It is important to edit and fill in your details accurately and put in real information in place of placeholder text. In case you aren’t sure about the legal terms and find it difficult to follow through the process and need assistance in drafting a more complex affidavit, it is advised to consult with a lawyer or legal expert in the related field.

A Quick Recap: What Does the Same Affidavit Really Mean?

One and the same affidavit is a legal document that declares and confirms that multiple names or identities belong to the same individual. This affidavit is an essential document for clearing up any confusion in legal or official documents. The affidavit includes statements stating reasons and explanations on why the names differ and the affidavit is signed in front of a notary to make it legally binding.

This affidavit is commonly used in India for:

• Passport applications
• Property transactions
• Banking purposes
• Legal or court matters

Conclusion: Simplifying Your Legal Journey with an Affidavit of One and the Same Person

India is a country where names can vary due to various differences such as cultural, regional, clerical errors, and so on.

The affidavit of one and the same person is an essential document that not only confirms the identity of an individual with different names on various legal documents but also helps clear up any confusion regarding your identity to ensure that your name discrepancies do not create legal issues.

This affidavit comes in handy when you are applying for a passport, dealing in property transactions, and other official matters.

This is it, I hope now you have a better understanding of what an affidavit of one and the same person is, why it is so important, especially for people with different names on different official documents, and how you can draft it.

In case you need one and the same affidavit PDF or Word Format, you can easily download it online as there are various templates available. All you have to do is make sure you edit and customize the template as per your needs and situation to avoid mistakes and errors.

Also Read,

• Is Gazette Enough for Name Change Process?
• Guide to Legal Name Change After Marriage in Delhi
• Correct Name in CBSE or State Board Marksheet: Step-by-Step Guide