New York State Notary Practice Exam

What is a solemn declaration made by persons who decline taking an oath called?

1. Affidavit

2. Confirmation

3. Affirmation

4. Attestation

The correct answer is: Affirmation

The correct answer is affirmation. An affirmation is a solemn declaration made by individuals who choose not to take an oath, often for personal or religious reasons. While it serves a similar purpose to an oath—providing assurance of truthfulness in a statement or testimony—an affirmation is secular in nature and does not invoke a higher power. An affidavit, on the other hand, involves a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, making it a different procedure from simply making a declaration. Confirmation generally refers to the act of verifying or endorsing something but does not specifically pertain to the context of declarations made instead of oaths. Attestation involves the act of witnessing or certifying a document, which is also not synonymous with the act of declaring without an oath. Therefore, affirmation is the correct term for a declaration made in this context.