Office of Student Judicial Affairs

Judicial Affairs Links:

Code of Student Conduct
The Judicial Process
University Hearing Board
Continuing Education
Campus Advisors
University Policies & Links
Reports and Disclosures
FAQ
Forms
Policy Interpretations
Policy on Academic Integrity
Publications
Academic Integrity
Sitemap
Judicial Affairs Home

Guide for Affidavit Submission

The Rutgers University Code of Student Conduct - Part 42 states:

"Affidavits shall only be admitted into evidence if signed by the affiant and witnessed by the referring Dean of Students or a notary. Unless the individual making the affidavit personally appears at the Hearing, it may be used for the purpose of supplementing or explaining other evidence only, but shall not be sufficient to support a finding itself."

What is an Affidavit?
The Four Parts of an Affidavit
For Students Using The Services of a Notary Public
For Students Using The Services of a Dean of Students
Finding a Notary Public
For the Notary Public
For the Dean of Students
View a Sample Affidavit

What is an Affidavit?

An affidavit is a written statement by a person who then swears an oath or affirms that the statement is true. This person is called the "affiant." An affidavit is signed by the affiant in the presence of a notary (or Dean of Students) and sworn to or affirmed under penalties of perjury, in an oral declaration before the notary (or Dean of Students).

The Four Parts of an Affidavit

1. Caption: Includes the venue (location) and a title (reference to judicial proceeding).
2. Body: Includes the affiant's statement and signature. Note: Affidavits must be signed in the presence of a notary.
3. Jurat: Indicated by the words "sworn to and subscribed before me…" This is the notary's certificate stating that the affidavit was signed and sworn to or affirmed in the presence of the notary. Note: Some notaries have the Jurat in stamp form.
4. Signature of notary and stamped seal.

NOTE: Making a false statement to a notary under oath or affirmation is considered perjury, which is a felony punishable by fine and/or prison time. Making a false statement to the Dean of Students is a violation of the University Code of Student Conduct Part 10 (c) and Part 10 (s) which is a separable offense punishable by suspension or expulsion from the University.

For Students Using The Services of a Notary Public:

When bringing an affidavit to a notary public for notarization, please bring:

Proof of identification in the form of photo ID.
Your UNSIGNED statement. You must sign your statement in the presence of the Notary Public.
Fee money. Notaries are permitted to collect a nominal fee for notarization and reimbursement for all travel expenses, but notaries are not required to collect a fee. This is something that you should inquire about when initially setting up the appointment.

You will be asked for:

Your information and signature in a notarial acts record book. (The state of New Jersey requires notaries to keep a record of all notarial acts including signature and a description of the nature of the document.)
Your oath or affirmation that statements in the document are true. Usually, the notary will ask you "Do you swear that the information in this document is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" or "Do you affirm under penalties of perjury that the contents of this document are the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" The affiant must respond "Yes" or "I do".

For Students Using The Services of a Dean of Students:

When bringing an affidavit to a Dean of Students for notarization, please bring:

Proof of identification in the form of photo ID.
Your UNSIGNED statement. You must sign your statement in the presence of the Dean.
A copy of your affidavit for the Dean's records.

You will be asked for:

Your affirmation that statements in the document are true. The Dean should ask you "Do you affirm under penalties of perjury that the contents of this document are the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" The affiant must respond "Yes" or "I do".

Finding a Notary Public

The following locations offer notary services on campus. Contact the individual office for hours, locations, and fees.

Office of the Registrar--New Brunswick
732-445-7000

Douglass Student Center
732-932-9374

Rutgers Federal Credit Union
732-932-7645
732-445-3050

Rutgers School of Law -- Camden
Career Planning Department 856-225-6178

Rutgers University Student Legal Information Center
732-932-5120

For the Notary Public:

Please ensure that affiant provides you with:

Proof of identification, unless the individual is personally known to you.
An UNSIGNED statement.
Fee money or Travel Reimbursement if you require it.
An oath or affirmation that statements in the document are true.

Please view the sample affidavit and ensure that your document includes the required elements. Student Judicial Affairs requires a heading in the caption referencing the hearing in which the affidavit is to be used (Ex: Rutgers University Hearing of John P. Smith). If you have any questions about the process, please contact our office at (732) 932-9414 or judaff@rci.rutgers.edu.

For the Dean of Students:

Please ensure that the affiant provides you with:

Proof of identification in the form of photo ID.
An UNSIGNED statement.
A copy of the affidavit for your records.

You will need to:

Verify the identity of the affiant from photo ID and verify that the name on the ID and the name on the affidavit match.
Complete the Caption portion of the affidavit including State, County and a heading in the caption referencing the hearing in which the affidavit is to be used (Ex: Rutgers University Hearing of John P. Smith).
Ask the affiant to review the statement for accuracy. If all is correct, ask the affiant to both sign and print their name on the document. The affiant must sign the document in your presence. No exceptions.
Ask the affiant "Do you affirm under penalties of perjury that the contents of this document are the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" The affiant must respond "Yes" or "I do".
Complete the Jurat section of the affidavit, sign and print your name on the affidavit and attach a business card in place of the official notary seal.

Please view the sample affidavit and ensure that your document includes the required elements. If you have any questions about the process, please contact our office at (732) 932-9414 or judaff@rci.rutgers.edu.