New York State Notary Practice Exam

What do you call a person who makes an oath to a written statement?

1. Deponent

2. Contractor

3. Escrow agent

4. Witness

The correct answer is: Deponent

The term for a person who makes an oath to a written statement is "Deponent." This term is used specifically in legal contexts, particularly in depositions, where an individual gives sworn testimony, typically in written form. The process involves the deponent confirming the truthfulness of their statements under oath, which qualifies the document as a formal legal instrument. In contrast, a contractor refers to someone who is involved in a contract for services or construction, and an escrow agent is responsible for holding funds or documents in trust until certain conditions are met in a transaction. Meanwhile, a witness is someone who observes an event, such as the signing of a document, but they do not necessarily make an oath regarding the written content themselves. Each of these roles has distinct responsibilities and contexts in legal and business practices, which highlights the specificity of the term "Deponent" for someone making an oath to a written statement.