Affidavit: Change of Signature

Understanding Affidavit for Change of Signature

The “Affidavit for Change of Signature” holds significant importance as it provides an official and structured way to confirm a change in one’s signature and to notify relevant parties about the updated signature. This document serves as a formal declaration that reflects the individual’s intent to modify their signature and ensures that the new signature is recognized and accepted. Let’s understand this importance through a real-life example:

Consider a professional named Gaurav who has been using a certain signature for years. Due to personal reasons, he decides to alter his signature. Recognizing that he needs to inform various institutions and authorities about the change, Gaurav chooses to create an Affidavit for Change of Signature.

By creating the affidavit, Gaurav is able to:

1. Notify Institutions: The affidavit serves as an official notification to banks, legal entities, and other organizations that Gaurav’s signature has changed. This prevents potential discrepancies or confusion when his updated signature appears on documents.
2. Legally Document Change: The affidavit legally documents Gaurav’s decision to change his signature. It provides a formal record of his intent to transition to a new way of signing documents.
3. Confirm Authenticity: Gaurav’s affidavit confirms that the change in signature is genuine and not an attempt at fraud or deception. It assures parties that the modification is a deliberate and lawful action.
4. Prevent Signature Discrepancies: The affidavit helps prevent discrepancies or disputes arising from the use of two different signatures. It establishes a clear record of the switch from the old signature to the new one.
5. Personal Record: The affidavit contributes to Gaurav’s personal records, reflecting his responsible approach to updating his signature and maintaining an accurate record of the change.

In this example, the Affidavit for Change of Signature assists Gaurav in formally declaring his decision to change his signature. The affidavit plays a pivotal role in notifying relevant parties, legally documenting the change, and preventing any potential issues that might arise from using different signatures. It adds an official layer of recognition and transparency to Gaurav’s transition to a new signature.

Uses of Affidavit for Change of Signature

The “Affidavit for Change of Signature” serves several practical purposes when seeking to update your signature:

• Signature Update: Declare your decision to change your signature for personal or cultural reasons.
• Formal Declaration: Provide an official statement of your intent to use the new signature.
• Recognized Identity: Ensure that your updated signature is recognized by legal authorities.

Format of Affidavit for Change of Signature

The format of an affidavit for change of signature may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific requirements of the institution where it will be submitted. However, the basic format usually includes the following elements:

1. Heading: The heading should include the name of the court or jurisdiction, the case number (if applicable), and the title of the document (“Affidavit for Change of Signature”).
2. Introduction: The introduction should include the full legal name of the individual making the affidavit, their current address, and their occupation. It should also state the reason for the change of signature (e.g., marriage, divorce, personal preference).
3. Statement of Truth: The statement of truth is a declaration that the contents of the affidavit are true and accurate. It should be written in the first person (e.g., “I, [name], solemnly declare and affirm that the following statements are true…”).
4. Confirmation of Identity: The affidavit should include a statement confirming the identity of the individual making the affidavit. This may include a description of their physical appearance or a copy of their identification documents (e.g., driver’s license, passport).
5. Confirmation of Legitimacy: The affidavit should include a statement confirming that the individual has not changed their name for any fraudulent purposes and that the new signature will be used in a legal and appropriate manner.
6. Signature and Notarization: The affidavit should be signed by the individual making the affidavit in the presence of a notary public. The notary public will then affix their seal and sign the document, confirming that the affidavit was executed properly.

Stamp paper denomination required for the affidavit

State	Stamp Duty (₹)
Andhra Pradesh	10
Arunachal Pradesh	10
Assam	100
Bihar	100
Chhattisgarh	5
Goa	20
Gujarat	50
Haryana	10
Himachal Pradesh	10
Jharkhand	4.20
Karnataka	20
Kerala	10
Madhya Pradesh	50
Maharashtra	100
Manipur	3.60
Meghalaya	7
Mizoram	7
Nagaland	10
Odisha	10
Punjab	5
Rajasthan	50
Sikkim	50
Tamil Nadu	20
Telangana	20
Tripura	50
Uttar Pradesh	10
Uttarakhand	10
West Bengal	10
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	10
Chandigarh	15
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	20
Lakshadweep	100
Delhi	10
Puducherry	1
Ladakh	10
Jammu & Kashmir	10

Legal Implications of an Affidavit for Change of Signature

An affidavit for change of signature has legal implications, as it is a legal document that confirms the legitimacy of the new signature. It is important to ensure that the affidavit is executed properly, as any errors or omissions can invalidate the document.

If the new signature is used for fraudulent purposes, the affidavit can also be used as evidence in a court of law.

Additionally, it is important to understand that changing one’s signature does not erase any legal obligations or liabilities that were associated with the previous signature. For example, if someone signs a contract with their old signature and then changes it, they are still bound by the terms of the contract. Therefore, it is important to update any legal documents or contracts associated with the old signature to reflect the change.