Hawaii Notary Public Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT an essential part of an affidavit?

1. Affiant signature

2. Venue

3. Summary statement

4. Jurat

The correct answer is: Summary statement

An affidavit is a formal sworn statement made under oath, and it typically contains several key components to ensure its legal validity. Among these components are the affiant's signature, the venue, and the jurat, each serving a specific purpose that contributes to the affidavit's integrity. The affiant's signature is crucial as it indicates the individual making the statement has personally written, sworn, or affirmed the contents of the affidavit. The venue refers to the location where the affidavit was made, which establishes jurisdiction and can be important in legal proceedings. The jurat is the part of the affidavit where a notary public or other authorized official certifies that the affiant has taken the oath and that the signature is genuine. While a summary statement may provide context or clarification about the subject of the affidavit, it is not a fundamental requirement for the document to be valid. An affidavit can be legally sufficient without having a summary statement, which is why it is considered the option that is NOT essential.