What Is an Affidavit of Truth?

An affidavit of truth is a document in which an individual declares that he is a “sovereign citizen” and disavows the legal authority of federal, state, and municipal governments over him. The affidavit does not fit the traditional definition of an affidavit as “a sworn statement of facts used for legal purposes.” Rather, it represents a declaration of the individual’s political and legal beliefs. It is most often associated with the Sovereign Citizens Movement, and some of the beliefs of the movement are expressed in the affidavit.

The legal theory behind this document is based on sections of the US Constitution, which it interprets as limiting the powers of the federal government to US territories, military bases, and federal offices. The powers of state and municipal authorities are also rejected. The affidavit declares the signer of the affidavit, the “affiant,” to be a “sovereign citizen” and not a citizen of the US or subject to any of its laws except the Constitution as it applies to individuals.

The document further declares that the affiant is not an inhabitant of the US or its “ward” or “chattel.” The affiant also does not recognize any statutory law created by any legislature, but only the constitutional law. This declaration stems from the belief that all acts of US Congress and states applied to sovereign citizens are unconstitutional and therefore illegal. The affidavit revokes any “power of attorney” over the affiant claimed by the federal government regarding any Social Security number assigned to him.

There is also language in the affidavit of truth that the affiant does not recognize the legitimacy of any form of government benefits. Voting is not a privilege granted by the government but an inherent right of a sovereign individual. Voting is not an obligation, except when protesting the illegal basis of government in the US.

Concerning the jurisdiction of state and federal governments, an affidavit of truth lists certain actions of the affiant that are revoked or disavowed. Acquiescing in obtaining a driver’s license, voting, and registering children for public school are declared to have been performed under duress and to prevent government harassment. The document declares that any use of a bank account was out of necessity, because all banks are illegally regulated by the federal government, leaving no other alternatives. The affidavit disavows all these actions and states that they reflect no intent on the part of the affiant to submit to any form of governmental authority.