What Is an Affidavit of Correction?

An Affidavit of Correction is a sworn, notarized statement used to fix clerical or minor errors on official records or legal documents.

When a document contains a mistake — such as a misspelled name, an incorrect date, or a transposed number — an Affidavit of Correction lets the affiant (the person signing it), who has personal knowledge of the error, formally acknowledge the mistake and state the correct information.

Because the affiant signs under penalty of perjury, the document carries legal weight. Once notarized, it can typically be submitted to the relevant government agency or institution, along with the original document, to correct the record.

Please note that an Affidavit of Correction is not a replacement for the original document — it's a supplement that clarifies the correct information.

Affidavit vs. Affidavit of Correction?

An Affidavit is a sworn, written statement used to confirm facts under oath, often serving as supporting evidence in legal matters or official filings. It can apply to a wide range of situations when someone must declare that information is true and accurate.

An Affidavit of Correction is a specific type of affidavitused to correct mistakes — such as misspelled names, wrong numbers, or clerical errors — in documents that have already been signed, and often filed or recorded.

What types of errors can be corrected with an Affidavit of Correction?

An Affidavit of Correction is designed for minor factual or clerical errors that don't change the substance of the original document. Common examples include:

• Misspelled names or nicknames used in place of legal names
• Incorrect or out‑of‑order dates and numbers
• Minor address mistakes or inaccurate property descriptions
• Signatures placed in the wrong field

It generally can't be used to change substantive information, such as vehicle ownership, purchase price, or odometer readings. Most agencies also won't accept an affidavit for documents altered with correction fluid or erasure. 

If the change goes beyond a clerical fix, a court order or a new document may be required.

Key benefits of using an Affidavit of Correction

When a clerical error turns up in an official document, correcting it doesn't have to mean starting from scratch. An Affidavit of Correction provides a straightforward, legally recognized way to set the record straight.

• Fix records without going to court. For minor factual or clerical errors, an affidavit is typically all that's needed — no court filing or judge required.
• Faster and less costly than a court order. Drafting and notarizing an affidavit takes far less time and money than pursuing formal legal remedies for the same mistake.
• Legally recognized when notarized. A signed and notarized Affidavit of Correction carries legal weight, making it an accepted form of correction with most government agencies and institutions.
• Covers multiple document types. One template works across a range of documents — vehicle titles, deeds, court filings, birth certificates, and lease agreements.
• Customizable for your state. LawDepot's guided questionnaire tailors the affidavit to your state's requirements, so you're not working from a generic blank form.

Common uses for an Affidavit of Correction

An Affidavit of Correction is commonly used when a minor or clerical error appears in an official record that needs to be formally corrected. The most common situations involve vehicle titles, vital records, and real estate documents.

Vehicle certificate of title

Vehicle title corrections are the most frequent use case for an Affidavit of Correction. Common errors on a title include a misspelled buyer or seller name, a signature placed in the wrong field, or a transposed digit in an identification number. In most states, the person who signed the original title — typically the seller — is responsible for completing the affidavit.

Many states have their own official DMV form for this purpose. In those states, you may need to submit the state-specific form rather than a general affidavit. 

Please note that some states also require a new title application, in addition to the affidavit.

Vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates)

An Affidavit of Correction can sometimes be used to correct minor clerical errors on vital records, such as a misspelled name on a birth certificate or an incorrect date on a death certificate. The process and eligibility depend on the type of error and the state where the record was filed.

For birth certificate corrections, only certain parties are typically authorized to request a change — usually a parent, the registrant (if 18 or older), or a legal guardian. Some corrections, such as adding a parent or changing a surname significantly, may require a court order rather than an affidavit.

Real estate deeds and property records

Errors in a real estate deed or lease agreement — such as a misspelled party name, an incorrect legal description, or wrong recording information — can create complications for future transactions. An Affidavit of Correction is a common tool for correcting these kinds of clerical mistakes without re-recording an entirely new deed.

The affidavit is typically filed with the county recorder's office where the original document was recorded, along with any supporting documentation that confirms the correct information.

What to include in an Affidavit of Correction

A valid Affidavit of Correction needs to clearly identify the original document, describe the error, and state the correction. Your affidavit typically includes:

• Affiant information: Your full legal name, address, and state. This identifies the person making the sworn statement.

• Document identification: The document type, date, and issuing authority or jurisdiction. This establishes which document contains the error.

• Description of the error: The exact language and location of the error as it appears in the original document. This makes the error unambiguous to the reviewing agency.

• Statement of correction: The correct information that should replace the erroneous content.

• Supporting documents: Copies of records that confirm the correct information. These strengthen the affidavit and may be required by the receiving agency.

• Affiant's signature: Signed under penalty of perjury, which gives the affidavit legal weight.

• Notary acknowledgment: The notary's signature, seal, and date, which verifies your identity and validates the document.

Affidavit of Correction for vehicle titles by state

Some states provide official DMV forms for correcting errors on vehicle titles. For example:

• Georgia
• Kansas
• Iowa
• Massachusetts
• Delaware

However, requirements and processes vary by jurisdiction. Before submitting an Affidavit of Correction for a vehicle title error, contact your local DMV to:

• Confirm whether your state accepts a general Affidavit of Correction or requires a specific form
• Understand any additional documentation needed
• Verify the correct submission process

Your DMV can provide the appropriate form and guide you through state-specific requirements.

How to create an Affidavit of Correction

LawDepot's Affidavit of Correction questionnaire walks you through each step to create your affidavit. Here's what prompts to expect.

1. Select the document type

Start by selecting the type of document that needs to be corrected. The questionnaire for LawDepot's Affidavit of Correction covers these four document types, while also allowing you to customize it for other document types: 

• Property deed or title
• Court document
• Birth certificate
• Lease agreement

2. Enter signing location and personal details

Select the state and add the county where the affidavit will be signed — this determines how the document is customized for local requirements.

Then, enter your full legal name, state, street address, and city or town as the affiant (the person making the sworn statement).

3. Complete details and information for correction

This step collects details about the original document. The required information will depend on your document type:

• Property deed or title: Legal description (lot number, block number, additions, city, county, state), date of the deed, property street address (optional), recording information such as document number (optional)
• Court document: Type of document (e.g., Complaint, Affidavit, Motion, Proof of Service), case title, court name and jurisdiction, case number, original filing date
• Birth certificate: Relationship to subject (correcting your own or someone else's), subject's date of birth, birth state, birth city or town
• Lease agreement: Leased property address, lease signing date, names of all parties, role of each party (landlord or tenant)

For other document types, describe the type of document being corrected (e.g., Marriage Certificate, Shareholder Agreement, Employment Contract). You can optionally list the parties to the document and add any additional details about the document.

4. Indicate supporting documents

Indicate whether you'll be attaching supporting documents to the affidavit.

Supporting documents — such as a copy of a government-issued ID, a payment record, or a prior version of the document — help substantiate your correction and may be required by the receiving agency.

5. Describe the error and correction

Provide a detailed explanation of the error as it appears in the original document, and state what the correct information should be.

Be specific — include page numbers, clause references, or exact language where possible. You can add multiple corrections if the original document contains more than one error.

6. Review and save

Review your completed Affidavit of Correction for accuracy before finalizing. Once satisfied, download the document and have it signed in the presence of a notary public. 

Does an Affidavit of Correction need to be notarized?

Yes. An Affidavit of Correction must be signed in the presence of a notary public to be legally valid. The notary verifies your identity and affixes their seal to confirm the document was properly executed.

Most government agencies (including DMVs, county recorders' offices, and vital records departments) won't accept an affidavit without a notary's acknowledgment.

In some states, you'll also need to submit the affidavit in person or by certified mail, along with the original document.

How using an Online Notary can help

LawDepot's Online Notary lets you notarize your Affidavit of Correction from the comfort of home or work — no travel needed.

Online notarization is available for affidavits in all states except Mississippi, New Jersey, and New Mexico. It's also best practice to check whether the government agency or private institution you're submitting your affidavit to accepts remote notarization.

Affidavit of Correction FAQs