Has your bank asked you to complete an Affidavit of Forgery?
You might be wondering what it all means, what information you need, and whether you can simply download a form online.
I want to help you understand the actual document before you put your signature on it. The most important thing to know is that you should obtain the affidavit of forgery form directly from the financial institution handling your claim.
A form you find online may look similar, but that does not mean your bank will accept it.
The Quick Answer
An affidavit of forgery form is a document a bank or credit union may ask you to complete when reporting a forged signature, unauthorized check, or another qualifying forgery claim. It records your information, identifies the disputed transaction, and asks you to state what happened formally.
You should request the correct form from your financial institution, follow its instructions, provide accurate transaction details, and complete any required signatures or notarization before submitting it through an approved channel.
Where You Can Get an Affidavit of Forgery Form
Start with the bank or credit union handling your claim. Contact its fraud department or the employee assisting you and ask for the institution’s official affidavit of forgery form.
Some financial institutions publish their forms on their websites. Others provide the document after you report the transaction. You may also be able to access it through secure online banking or obtain a copy at a branch.
For example, BECU lists an affidavit of forgery or fraudulent use in its official forms section. Delta Community Credit Union also publishes an affidavit of forgery and a separate check alteration form. These examples show why it is important to request the document that matches your particular situation.
Do not assume a generic affidavit of forgery template will be accepted. Even if another bank’s form asks similar questions, its declarations and submission requirements may be different.
What Information Does an Affidavit of Forgery Form Require?
Most forms begin by identifying the person making the claim. You may be asked for your legal name, address, telephone number, and account or membership information.
The next portion usually identifies the disputed financial instrument. Depending on the form, this may include the check number, date, dollar amount, payee, and type of transaction.
Some forms also ask whether you were the person who wrote the check, the person named to receive payment, or someone whose endorsement was allegedly forged. These distinctions matter because a forged signature on the front of a check is different from a forged endorsement on the back.
Here is a preparation checklist you can use before filling out your bank’s actual document:
| Information to prepare | Why it may be requested |
| Account holder information | Identifies the person making the claim |
| Check number | Identifies the disputed check |
| Check date and amount | Helps locate the transaction |
| Payee information | Identifies who the check was payable to |
| Description of the incident | Explains what you believe happened |
| Supporting documents | May help the institution investigate |
| Signature and date | Confirms your formal statement |
This is a preparation checklist, not a replacement for your bank’s form. Your institution may request additional information or use different terminology.
How to Complete an Affidavit of Forgery Form Correctly
Before writing anything, read the entire affidavit. Twice.
I recommend doing this first because some of the most important information appears near the signature or declaration section, not necessarily at the beginning.
You may also overlook or scan around information or forms that may be pivotal in an approval from your financial institution.
Gather your check images, account records, and any other relevant documents so you are not relying on pure memory.
Then complete each applicable section carefully.
When the form asks you to describe what happened, explain the circumstances in plain, factual language. For example, if you did not write or authorize a particular check, say that clearly. Do not guess about who committed the forgery or sign a statement that does not accurately describe your situation.
If you do not understand a question, ask the financial institution to explain it before signing. Review the completed form for missing information, incorrect transaction details, and required signatures.
Does an Affidavit of Forgery Form Need to Be Notarized?
Not always. Whether notarization is required depends on the financial institution and the specific document it provides.
Some forms, for example at Armed Forces Bank, include a notary acknowledgment that must be completed before the affidavit can be accepted. Others may require only the customer’s signature and date.
Delta Community Credit Union also provides a notary section on its published form. These are institution-specific requirements, not a nationwide rule.
If your form includes a notary section, follow its instructions. A notary verifies the required identity and performs the applicable notarial act; the notary does not investigate the alleged forgery or independently confirm that your statements are true.
What Documents May You Need to Include?
Your bank may ask for supporting documentation along with the affidavit. This could include a copy of the disputed check, an account statement showing the transaction, or information about a police report if one was filed.
Some forms also request specimen signatures, which are examples of your genuine signature that may help investigators compare handwriting. Other institutions ask questions about whether your checkbook was lost, stolen, or still in your possession.
There is no universal attachment package. Ask your financial institution exactly what it needs, and avoid sending sensitive financial documents through an email address or upload link you have not verified.
Where Do You Submit an Affidavit of Forgery Form?
Return the completed document using the method provided by your bank. Depending on the institution, that could mean uploading it through secure online banking, delivering it to a branch, or mailing it to a designated fraud department.
Do not assume that every bank accepts faxed, emailed, or electronically signed documents. Confirm the submission method and destination directly with the institution, and keep a copy of everything you send.
What Happens After You Submit an Affidavit of Forgery Form?
Once the bank receives your affidavit, it can review your statement alongside the disputed check, account records, and any supporting documents. It may contact you for clarification or request additional information if something is missing.
The institution then evaluates the claim under applicable law, account terms, and its investigation procedures. Submitting an affidavit does not automatically guarantee reimbursement, and there is no single investigation timeline that applies to every check-forgery claim.
Keep your submission confirmation and any communication you receive. If the bank asks for additional information, respond through its verified channels.
Final Thoughts
An affidavit of forgery form is an important part of documenting a suspected forgery claim, but completing it correctly starts with obtaining the right document. Get the form directly from your financial institution, understand what each section is asking, and make sure your statements are accurate before signing.
I created this guide to help make an unfamiliar banking document easier to understand. My name is Leanthony Stephens, and through Leanthony.com, I want to make banking, credit, and consumer finance easier for everyday people to navigate.
If you are completing an affidavit right now, take your time, ask questions when something is unclear, and keep a copy of what you submit.
