What is a formal sworn statement made under oath required by law called?

The term that accurately represents a formal sworn statement made under oath required by law is an affidavit. An affidavit is a legal document in which an individual makes a sworn statement of fact, affirming its truthfulness under penalty of perjury. This type of legal instrument is often used in various legal proceedings, including court cases, where a party needs to provide written evidence of their statements.

While "Statutory Affidavit" can be a correct term in certain contexts to indicate an affidavit required by a specific statute, the basic and most widely recognized term is "affidavit." The broader legal community recognizes affidavits as sworn statements without needing statutory specificity.

Understanding this distinction is crucial in a legal context, as it shapes how individuals, assessors, and legal professionals interpret and utilize these documents in practice. Statutory affidavits might have specific requirements based on legislation that governs their use, which does not generalize across all affidavits.

The other options such as a legal declaration and a notarized statement also refer to formal documents, but they do not carry the same legal weight or requirements as affidavits. A legal declaration may not necessarily be made under oath, and while a notarized statement indicates that a document has