The New York booklet defines a deponent as one who makes oath to a written statement and notes that, technically, it is the person subscribing a deposition. It also acknowledges the practical reality that the word is often used interchangeably with affiant.
That slight overlap can confuse readers, so the easiest way to remember the distinction is contextual. “Affiant” is the more familiar term for a person signing an affidavit. “Deponent” is the more natural term when the sworn statement is testimony or deposition-based. Both are oath-bound speakers; the difference lies in the kind of document or proceeding involved.
Why it matters: The glossary preserves older legal vocabulary that still appears in forms and case law. Knowing both words helps a notary or reader recognize that the same basic sworn-person idea may appear under different labels.
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