WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                        Ch. 3

1-201. OATHS.

(A)  IN GENERAL.

A REQUIREMENT IN THIS ARTICLE THAT A DOCUMENT BE UNDER OATH
MEANS THAT THE DOCUMENT SHALL BE SUPPORTED BY A SIGNED STATEMENT
MADE UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE
DOCUMENT ARE TRUE TO THE BEST OF THE KNOWLEDGE, INFORMATION, AND
BELIEF OF THE INDIVIDUAL MAKING THE STATEMENT.

(B)  PROCEDURES.

THE OATH OR AFFIRMATION SHALL BE MADE:

(1)  BEFORE AN INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED TO ADMINISTER
OATHS, WHO SHALL CERTIFY IN WRITING TO HAVE ADMINISTERED THE OATH
OR TAKEN THE AFFIRMATION; OR

(2)  BY A SIGNED STATEMENT THAT:

(I)   IS IN THE DOCUMENT OR ATTACHED TO AND MADE
PART OF THE DOCUMENT; AND

(II)   IS MADE EXPRESSLY UNDER THE PENALTIES FOR
PERJURY.

(C)  EFFECT OF STATEMENT.

IF THE PROCEDURES PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B)(2) OF THIS
SECTION ARE USED, THE AFFIDAVIT SUBJECTS THE INDIVIDUAL MAKING IT
TO THE PENALTIES FOR PERJURY TO THE SAME EXTENT AS AN OATH OR
AFFIRMATION MADE BEFORE AN INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED TO ADMINISTER
OATHS.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section formerly appeared as Art. 56A,
§ 1-201.

The word "article" is retained although it is broader
in the context of this section than in former Art.
56A, § 1-201. This section applies to provisions to
which former Art. 56A, § 1-201 did not apply.
However, this section is standard language that has
been added in other revised articles, to allow a
signed statement to have the effect of a verification,
without detracting substantively from the purpose and
effect of requiring the verification. Therefore, an
individual who makes a verification under this article
is subject to the penalties for perjury if the
verification is false, even if the individual does not
appear before an individual authorized to administer
oaths.

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