affidavo

Affidavo is a proposed legal-tech term for a type of digital affidavit that combines a sworn written statement with an accompanying video recording. In an affidavo, the declarant appears on camera to recite or affirm the contents of the written affidavit, creating a multimedia evidentiary item intended to enhance credibility and verify the sworn statement. The document is intended to be bound by cryptographic signatures, timestamps, and other integrity safeguards to deter tampering.

The term affidavo is a portmanteau derived from “affidavit” and “video” (or “voice”). It emerged in legal-technology discussions during the early 2020s as part of debates about remote authentication, digital notarization, and the admissibility of multimedia testimony. At present, affidavos are not universally recognized as a standard form of evidence and are largely discussed in theory or within pilot programs rather than as a universally adopted practice.

Format and components commonly discussed for an affidavo include: the sworn or affirmed text of the statement; the declarant’s video recording showing the statement being recited; metadata such as date, time, location, and device used; a chain-of-custody record; digital signatures from the declarant and, where applicable, an authorized notary or witness; and cryptographic hashes or blockchain proof to ensure integrity.

Legal status and adoption vary by jurisdiction. Some regions experiment with digital-notarization pilots that accommodate multimedia affidavits, while others require traditional documentary or live testimony. Admissibility often depends on compliance with rules of evidence, authentication standards, privacy protections, and the reliability of the underlying technological platform.