What Is a Correction Affidavit?
A plain-English guide to NYC Correction Affidavits — when they're used to close DOB violations, who's authorized to sign, and how they differ from Certificates of Correction.
Correction Affidavit: The Definition
A Correction Affidavit is a sworn, notarized statement filed with the NYC Department of Buildings certifying under penalty of perjury that a violation condition has been corrected. Unlike a Certificate of Correction — which requires supporting documentation and often a re-inspection — a correction affidavit relies on the sworn word of a qualified professional or the property owner.
Because it's a sworn statement, filing a false correction affidavit exposes the signer to criminal penalties, professional license revocation, and civil liability. DOB accepts affidavits for certain violation classes and situations where physical re-inspection is impractical or unnecessary.
Correction affidavits are one tool in a broader compliance toolkit. For active violations, see our DOB Violation Removal service — we use the fastest correct method for each case.
When a Correction Affidavit Is Used
Correction affidavits are typically used in a few specific situations:
- Class 3 (Lesser) DOB violations — Where the condition has been corrected and DOB accepts a sworn statement in lieu of a re-inspection.
- Administrative violations — Missing signage, outdated notices, minor code compliance issues where physical inspection would waste DOB resources.
- Certain HPD violations — Some Class A conditions allow a landlord-signed affidavit certifying the correction, subject to random audit.
- Professional certifications — Where a licensed architect, engineer, or contractor swears to the correction as part of their signature block on a filing.
- Portfolio-wide corrections — Multi-property owners can sometimes use affidavits to certify similar corrections across their portfolio in bulk.
Who Can Sign a Correction Affidavit
DOB's acceptance of an affidavit depends on who signs it. Signers with more accountability carry more weight:
Property Owner
Owner-signed affidavits are accepted for lower-severity violations and administrative issues. They must be notarized and identify the property, violation number, and specific corrective action.
Licensed Professional
Architect (RA), professional engineer (PE), or registered design professional. DOB gives significant weight to their sworn statement because their license is on the line.
Licensed Contractor
Master Plumber, Master Electrician, General Contractor, or Home Improvement Contractor certifying that trade-specific work was performed to code.
Registered Filing Representative
Expediters and code consultants registered with DOB can sign administrative affidavits for filings they prepared and submitted.
Correction Affidavit vs. Certificate of Correction
These sound similar but they're different filings serving different purposes:
Correction Affidavit
A sworn statement that a condition has been corrected. Relies on the signer's word under penalty of perjury.
- Used for lower-severity or administrative violations
- Requires notarization
- Rarely requires re-inspection
- Subject to random audit
Certificate of Correction
A formal DOB filing (form) documenting that a violation has been cured. Requires supporting evidence and often triggers re-inspection.
- Used for most DOB violations
- Includes photos, permits, contractor documentation
- Often followed by a DOB re-inspection
- See our Certificate of Correction guide
Risks of Filing a False Affidavit
A correction affidavit is a sworn document. Filing one that misrepresents the condition — even inadvertently — carries serious consequences:
- Criminal perjury charges against the signer
- Revocation of the signer's professional license (RA, PE, or contractor)
- Civil liability if the misrepresented condition causes injury or damage
- Reopened violation with escalated penalties
- Placement on DOB's flagged-professional list — future filings scrutinized
Have a DOB violation to close?
BVS uses the fastest correct method for each case — Certificate of Correction, correction affidavit, or professional certification. Learn more about our DOB Violation Removal service or contact BVS for a free review.