Statutory Declaration

A statutory declaration is a formal statement made in writing and sworn or affirmed to be true in the presence of an authorized official, such as a notary public, commissioner of oaths, or lawyer. It is used in legal contexts where a person needs to declare certain facts or statements under oath but outside of a court setting. Unlike an affidavit, which is typically used in court proceedings, a statutory declaration is often required for administrative or regulatory purposes, such as proving identity, confirming marital status, or attesting to the truthfulness of certain documents. The declarant must fully understand that making a false declaration is equivalent to perjury and can result in legal penalties.