An affirmation is a solemn ___________ or _____________ made as a substitute for a sworn statement by a person whose conscience will not permit the person to swear at all.

• A. Statement; Declaration
• B. Oath; Promise
• C. Affirmation; Verity
• D. Declaration; Oath

Answer: (A)

An affirmation is a formal, solemn assertion used in place of taking an oath. It allows someone who cannot swear a religious oath for conscience or belief reasons to still attest to the truth of the facts. The phrase describes the substitute as a “solemn statement or declaration,” which is precisely the kind of formal, sworn-like statement an affirmation represents. The other word choices would shift the meaning toward an oath or a different term that isn’t the standard way to describe the substitute spoken or written in notarial practice.