How to get a statutory declaration in the UK: where to go and what it costs

First: check what you’ve been asked for

Find out from the organisation asking for it whether they need a statutory declaration, or would accept a statement of truth, an affidavit or a deed poll instead. Ask if they have their own template; banks, pension schemes and HM Land Registry often do. For what a statutory declaration is, see what is a statutory declaration.

Where to get one

Your declaration must be made in front of an authorised person who isn’t related to you or involved in the matter. In England and Wales that includes:

• a solicitor with a current practising certificate
• a commissioner for oaths
• a notary public (needed if it’s for use abroad)
• a justice of the peace, and certain court officers

Many solicitors’ firms will witness a declaration as a short appointment. If it’s going overseas, use a notary, as it may also need an apostille.

How much does it cost?

The fee a solicitor or commissioner for oaths can charge for witnessing a declaration is set by law: £5 for the declaration, plus £2 for each exhibit. Notaries set their own fees, which are usually higher.

Help with the wording is separate. If you need a solicitor to draft the declaration or check it does what the organisation needs, they’ll quote a fee for that work. It’s worth it where the facts are complicated, or where a mistake could hold up a property or estate matter.

What to bring

• the declaration, printed and unsigned
• any documents it refers to, which will be attached and marked as exhibits
• photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence
• proof of address, if the solicitor asks for it

Step by step

1. Get the wording right. Numbered paragraphs, in the first person, ending with the standard words from the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. Every fact must be true and complete.
2. Book an appointment with a solicitor or commissioner for oaths. If you want the wording checked, send it in advance.
3. Make the declaration. The solicitor checks your ID and asks you to confirm the contents are true. You sign in front of them; they sign and mark any exhibits.
4. Send the original to the organisation that asked for it. Keep a copy.

The appointment itself usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Can I do it online?

In England and Wales, a statutory declaration is normally made in person. What you can do online is the preparation: a solicitor can go through the wording with you by video, so the in-person appointment is quick.

Common reasons you’ll be asked for one

• confirming a change of name, where an organisation accepts it instead of a deed poll
• lost title deeds or share certificates
• facts HM Land Registry needs, such as how long you’ve used a piece of land
• facts a lender, pension scheme or insurer needs for a claim

Knowingly making a false declaration is a criminal offence. If you’re unsure about a fact, say so in the wording rather than guess. See solicitor for a statutory declaration.