Most states, including California, describe forgery as occurring when a person alters a written document "with the intent to defraud, knowing that he or she has no authority to do so." The written document usually has to be an instrument of legal significance.
An affidavit is a sworn statement put in writing. When you use an affidavit, you're claiming that the information within the document is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. Like taking an oath in court, an affidavit is only valid when you make it voluntarily and without any coercion.
General Affidavits must be signed in front of a notary public. A notary must verify your identification before you sign the document. Make sure to bring ID (like a driver's license or other form of identification) for the notary before you sign the affidavit.
How to prepare an affidavit? Speak in the first person. This personalizes your affidavit, giving your personal account and testimony. Remain concise. Keeping your message as short as possible helps you to clearly communicate your message, and can make it more impactful. Restate your claims. Notarize your affidavit.
An “Affidavit of Forgery" is a notarized, sworn statement, attesting that the signature appearing on it is indeed a forgery. The account holder MUST provide an Affidavit of Forgery before any criminal charges can be filed! An affidavit must accompany each forged or counterfeited item.
Examples. A bill is endorsed, “payable to X or order”. X endorses it in blank and it comes into the hands of Y, who simply delivers it to A. A would then forge Y's endorsement and transfers it to B.
An “Affidavit of Forgery" is a notarized, sworn statement, attesting that the signature appearing on it is indeed a forgery. The account holder MUST provide an Affidavit of Forgery before any criminal charges can be filed! An affidavit must accompany each forged or counterfeited item.
If a deed has been forged, it is legally invalid, and the rightful property owner has the right to challenge it in court. However, undoing a fraudulent real estate transaction can take time and legal intervention.
Unless one of the enhancements apply, or subsection (e-1) applies, a conviction for Forgery is punished by default as a Class A misdemeanor, with a maximum possible fine under Texas state law of up to $4,000 and jail time of up to one year.
A notary public has statewide jurisdiction and may perform notarial acts in any county in the state of Texas.