Eidesstattlich

Eidesstattlich is a German adjective describing a statement, assertion, or declaration that is made under oath. It is used to indicate that a document or claim has been sworn to be true before an authority or notary. The term is most commonly found in legal, administrative, and bureaucratic contexts.

The most typical phrases are eidesstattliche Erklärung (sworn declaration) and eidesstattliche Versicherung (affidavit). Such statements are intended to attest to factual information and may be required in civil procedures, applications, or investigations. They signal that the information is presented with solemn assurance of truthfulness.

A declaration deemed eidesstattlich is binding to the extent allowed by law, and presenting a false eidesstattliche Erklärung can lead to penalties for giving false information under oath. In English-language contexts, the closest equivalents are affidavits or sworn statements.

Etymology: from Eid (oath) and statt, forming a compound that signals the sworn character of the assertion. The term is widely used in Germany and Austria and in international documents that adopt German legal vocabulary.