How to Use This Checklist
Click each checkbox to mark items as complete. Your progress is automatically saved to your browser. Use this checklist to:
✅ Three Ways to Use This Tool
1. Before drafting declaration: Ensure you understand all legal requirements and gather supporting evidence
2. While drafting declaration: Verify your statement against all 38 compliance points
3. Before signing: Check proper format, truthfulness, and Commissioner for Oaths requirements
⚠️ What is a Statutory Declaration?
📋 Legal Definition: A formal written statement of facts that you swear to be true before an authorized person (Commissioner for Oaths or solicitor).
⚖️ When Used: Name changes, confirming identity, lost documents, correcting records, proving residency, declaring marital status, affirming facts for legal proceedings.
🎯 Legal Weight: Carries the same legal force as evidence given in court under oath. False statements can result in criminal prosecution for perjury.
💼 Key Requirements: Must be made before authorized person, signed in their presence, dated accurately, use prescribed format.
🚫 Critical Legal Warning
Perjury Risk: Making a false statutory declaration is a criminal offence punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment and/or unlimited fine. Must Be Truthful: Only declare facts you know to be true from your own knowledge or can prove with evidence. Cannot Be Revoked: Once signed, cannot be withdrawn - you can only make a new declaration correcting errors. Authorized Person Required: MUST be signed before Commissioner for Oaths, solicitor, or notary public - self-witnessed declarations are invalid.
⚠️ Understanding Importance Levels
🔴 Critical: Must have - legally required or invalidates declaration
🟡 Important: Should have - protects against rejection or challenges
🔵 Recommended: Nice to have - best practice for clarity
Full Legal Name
Your complete legal name exactly as it appears on official documents (passport, driving licence). Include all forenames and surname. If you've recently changed your name, use your current legal name and explain previous names in the declaration if relevant.
🔴 Critical
Current Residential Address
Your full current residential address including house number/name, street, town/city, county, and postcode. Must be where you actually live, not a business address. If you've recently moved, use current address and explain previous address if relevant to declaration.
🔴 Critical
Occupation/Profession
Your current occupation or profession stated clearly. Examples: "Teacher," "Accountant," "Retired," "Student," "Self-Employed Consultant." This helps identify you and establish your credibility. If unemployed, state "Unemployed" or "Between employments."
🔴 Critical
Date of Birth (if relevant)
Include your date of birth if it's relevant to what you're declaring (proving age, confirming identity, demonstrating capacity to make declaration). Not always required, but helpful for declarations about identity, marriage, or capacity.
🟡 Important
Contact Information
Phone number and/or email address where you can be contacted. While not legally required, this is helpful if anyone needs to verify your declaration or contact you about it. Particularly useful for declarations to government bodies or official organisations.
🔵 Recommended
Nationality (if relevant)
State your nationality if it's relevant to the declaration (proving right to work, demonstrating citizenship, explaining immigration status). For example, "British Citizen" or "EU National." Only include if pertinent to what you're declaring.
🟡 Important
Clear Statement of Purpose
State clearly at the beginning what this declaration is for. Example: "This declaration is made to confirm my identity for passport renewal" or "This declaration is to affirm I am the sole owner of property at [address]." Helps reader understand context.
🔴 Critical
Specific Facts Only
Include only specific, verifiable facts - not opinions, beliefs, or assumptions. State what you know to be true from your own knowledge or can prove with evidence. Avoid phrases like "I believe" or "I think" - use "I confirm" or "I declare that."
🔴 Critical
Accurate Dates and Times
Include precise dates (and times if relevant) for events you're declaring about. Use specific dates: "15 March 2024" not "last year." If you don't remember exact date, state approximate timeframe: "between January and March 2024." Never guess dates.
🔴 Critical
Names of Other Parties
Include full names of any other people, companies, or organisations relevant to your declaration. Identify their relationship to the matter: "John Smith, my former employer" or "ABC Limited, the property vendor." Helps establish the complete picture.
🟡 Important
Complete Information
Include all relevant facts - don't omit information even if it's inconvenient or embarrassing. Selective disclosure can invalidate the declaration. If asked to confirm specific facts, address each one clearly. Missing information raises questions about truthfulness.
🔴 Critical
Truthful Statements Only
CRITICAL: Every statement must be completely true. Do not exaggerate, embellish, or lie even about minor details. Remember: false declarations are criminal offences with serious consequences including imprisonment. If you're unsure about a fact, don't declare it.
🔴 Critical
Clear and Unambiguous Language
Use simple, clear language that cannot be misinterpreted. Avoid legal jargon unless necessary. Each sentence should express one fact clearly. If technical terms are needed, define them. The declaration should be easily understood by anyone reading it.
🟡 Important
Logical Chronological Order
Present facts in chronological order where appropriate. This makes the declaration easier to follow and more credible. Start with earliest events and progress to most recent. If declaring about multiple unrelated matters, group related facts together in separate paragraphs.
🔵 Recommended
⚡
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Documents Referenced
List all documents you refer to in your declaration. Include document type, date, and issuing authority. Example: "birth certificate issued 15 May 1990 by Birmingham Register Office" or "driving licence number AB123456 issued 10 Jan 2020." This allows verification.
🟡 Important
Exhibits Attached
If attaching supporting documents as exhibits, label each one clearly (Exhibit A, Exhibit B, etc.) and reference them in your declaration. Example: "A copy of my birth certificate is attached as Exhibit A." Exhibits should be certified copies, not originals.
🟡 Important
Witness Names (if applicable)
If your declaration involves events witnessed by others, include their full names and relationship to you or the matter. Example: "This incident was witnessed by Sarah Jones, my colleague" or "Present at the meeting were John Smith and Mary Brown." Provides corroboration.
🔵 Recommended
Source of Information
For each fact, make clear whether you know it from personal knowledge ("I personally witnessed"), from documents ("according to my birth certificate"), or from others ("I was informed by my mother that"). This establishes the basis and reliability of your statements.
🟡 Important
Relevant Dates of Evidence
Include dates when evidence was created, obtained, or events occurred. This shows your declaration is based on current, accurate information. Example: "I obtained a copy of the land registry entry dated 10 December 2024 which confirms..."
🔵 Recommended
Proper Opening Statement
Must begin with the prescribed formula: "I, [FULL NAME] of [FULL ADDRESS], do solemnly and sincerely declare as follows:" This exact wording is legally required. Using different wording may invalidate the declaration.
🔴 Critical
Title at Top
Include a clear title at the top: "STATUTORY DECLARATION" in capital letters. Some declarations also include a subtitle describing the purpose: "STATUTORY DECLARATION - PROOF OF IDENTITY" or "STATUTORY DECLARATION - CONFIRMATION OF MARITAL STATUS."
🟡 Important
Numbered Paragraphs
Number each paragraph (1., 2., 3., etc.) for easy reference. Each numbered paragraph should contain one main fact or point. This makes the declaration organized and professional. Helps others reference specific statements.
🟡 Important
Clear Logical Structure
Organize content logically: (1) who you are, (2) purpose of declaration, (3) relevant facts in chronological order, (4) supporting evidence, (5) confirmation of truthfulness. This structure makes your declaration credible and easy to follow.
🔵 Recommended
Proper Closing Statement
End with: "I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835." This wording is legally prescribed and confirms you understand the legal implications.
🔴 Critical
Place Where Made
State where the declaration is being made: "DECLARED at [city/town] in the County of [county]" or "DECLARED at [city] this [date]." Some organisations require this; it establishes jurisdiction and authenticity.
🟡 Important
Date of Declaration
Include the date you are making and signing the declaration. This is the date you sign it before the Commissioner for Oaths, NOT the date you drafted it. Format: "this [day] day of [month] [year]" or standard DD/MM/YYYY.
🔴 Critical
⚡
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Must Be Made Before Authorized Person
CRITICAL: A statutory declaration is ONLY valid if made before an authorized person. You cannot just sign it yourself. The authorized person witnesses your signature and confirms your identity. Self-witnessed declarations have no legal validity.
🔴 Critical
Commissioner for Oaths
A Commissioner for Oaths is authorized to witness statutory declarations. Most solicitors are Commissioners for Oaths. Find one through Law Society website. Fees typically £5-£20. Bring photo ID (passport or driving licence) when attending.
🔴 Critical
Solicitor with Practicing Certificate
Any solicitor with a current practicing certificate can witness statutory declarations. Confirm they hold a valid certificate. Non-practicing solicitors cannot witness. Some solicitors charge £10-£30. Book appointment in advance.
🟡 Important
Notary Public (alternative)
Notaries Public can also witness statutory declarations, particularly useful for international use. Fees are typically higher (£30-£100+). Required if declaration is for use outside UK. Find notaries through Notaries Society or Faculty Office.
🔵 Recommended
Original Signature Required
You must sign the declaration in original ink in the presence of the Commissioner for Oaths. Electronic signatures, photocopied signatures, or signatures added later are NOT acceptable. Blue or black ink is standard. Sign your usual signature.
🔴 Critical
Accurate Date
The date on the declaration must be the actual date you sign it before the Commissioner. Never backdate or forward-date. Dating incorrectly can invalidate the declaration or constitute making a false statement.
🔴 Critical
Declaration Statement by You
When signing, you should verbally confirm to the Commissioner that the contents are true. The Commissioner may ask: "Do you solemnly and sincerely declare that the contents of this declaration are true?" You respond: "I do." This verbal confirmation is part of the process.
🟡 Important
Commissioner's Signature
The Commissioner for Oaths must sign the declaration after witnessing your signature. Their signature confirms they have verified your identity and witnessed you signing. Without the Commissioner's signature, the declaration may be considered invalid.
🔴 Critical
Commissioner's Seal or Stamp
The Commissioner will apply their official seal or stamp to the declaration. This may be an embossed seal, ink stamp, or both. The seal confirms they are authorized to witness statutory declarations. Check seal is clear and legible.
🔴 Critical
Commissioner's Details
The Commissioner's name, qualification, and address should be printed or stamped on the declaration. Example: "John Smith, Solicitor & Commissioner for Oaths, 123 High Street, London." This allows verification of their authority.
🟡 Important
Make Certified Copies
Get several certified copies made before submitting the original anywhere. Solicitors, banks, or notaries can certify copies for £5-£10 each. Keep the original safe. Send certified copies to organisations - never send the original unless absolutely required.
🟡 Important
Store Original Safely
Keep the original signed and witnessed declaration in a safe place. You may need it for years to come. Scan a high-quality digital copy as backup. If the original is lost, you'll need to make a fresh declaration from scratch.
🔵 Recommended
⚡
Instant Download
You’ve Done the Research. Now Finish It.
Complete statutory declaration template — all clauses included, professionally drafted.
Fill in your details in minutes and you’re done.
£10 — Own It Forever
Create Your Statutory Declaration Now
→
✅ 30-day money-back guarantee*
Preview before you buy • Lifetime updates • No subscription
Next Steps
Now that you've reviewed the compliance checklist, you have three options:
✅ Use Our Ready-Made Template
Save time with our professionally-formatted statutory declaration template. Covers all 38 compliance points with proper legal format and execution guidance. Available in both Smart Interview (guided) and Classic Editor (direct editing) modes for just £10.
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📝 Draft Your Own Statutory Declaration
Use this checklist as your guide, but remember: wrong format invalidates declaration, self-witnessed declarations have no legal validity, false statements risk 2 years imprisonment for perjury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a statutory declaration?
A statutory declaration is a formal written statement of facts that the declarant signs and solemnly declares to be true in the presence of an authorised witness such as a solicitor, commissioner for oaths, or Justice of the Peace. Making a false statutory declaration is a criminal offence.
When do I need a statutory declaration?
Common uses include confirming a name change, declaring facts for legal proceedings, confirming identity when original documents are lost, and supporting applications to government bodies. Some organisations require a statutory declaration instead of a deed poll for name changes.
Who can witness a statutory declaration?
A statutory declaration must be witnessed by an authorised person: a solicitor, commissioner for oaths, Justice of the Peace, or notary public. Unlike a deed poll, an ordinary adult witness is not sufficient.
Do I need a solicitor?
You need a solicitor or commissioner for oaths to witness your statutory declaration, but you do not need one to draft it. Our template provides the correct legal format and wording. The witnessing fee is typically between £5 and £10.
Disclaimer: This checklist is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to keep information accurate and up to date, the law is complex and subject to change. Every situation is unique. Last updated: May 2026.
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