Title 38 — Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-73not60
§5712 Validity of Affidavits
Title 38 › Part IV— GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Chapter 57— RECORDS AND INVESTIGATIONS › Subchapter II— INVESTIGATIONS › § 5712
Summary
A sworn statement, affidavit, or recorded examination that is signed by the Department employee who gave or took it and that has the Department’s seal can be used in a federal court. No extra proof that the employee was who they said or had authority is needed, and the document has the same legal effect as if a court clerk had handled it.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §5712
Veterans' Benefits — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Any such oath, affirmation, affidavit, or examination, when certified under the hand of any such employee by whom it was administered or taken and authenticated by the seal of the Department, may be offered or used in any court of the United States and without further proof of the identity or authority of such employee shall have like force and effect as if administered or taken before a clerk of such court.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1991—Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 3312 of this title as this section. Pub. L. 102–83 substituted “Department” for “Veterans’ Administration”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 5712
Title 38 — Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60