Statutory Declaration (India)
Indian Evidence Act 1872 | Oaths Act 1969
STATUTORY DECLARATION
Indian Evidence Act 1872 | Oaths Act 1969
To,
[Authority Name]
Subject: Statutory Declaration for — [Purpose]
I, [Declarant Name], son/daughter/wife of [Father/Husband Name], aged [Age] years, occupation [Occupation], [Nationality] national, residing at [Residential Address], do hereby solemnly and sincerely declare before the undersigned Notary Public as follows:
DECLARED FACTS
1. [Declared Fact 1]
2. [Declared Fact 2]
3. [Declared Fact 3]
4. [Declared Fact 4]
VERIFICATION
I do solemnly and sincerely declare that the above statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Indian Evidence Act 1872 and the Oaths Act 1969.
Declared at [Place] on [Declaration Date].
Signature of Declarant: _______________________
Name: [Declarant Name]
NOTARY PUBLIC — JURAT
Declared before me at [Place] on [Declaration Date].
Name of Notary Public: _______________________
Notary Registration No.: _______________________
Area of Appointment: _______________________
Signature and Official Seal of Notary Public: _______________________
Declarant
________________
Signature
What Is a Statutory Declaration (India)?
A Statutory Declaration in India sets down the declarant's affirmation of the facts or intentions described, for reliance by the relevant parties.
Parties executing a Statutory Declaration (India) in India should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date.
When Do You Need a Statutory Declaration (India)?
You need a Statutory Declaration in India in formal situations requiring a witnessed, solemn declaration of facts. For immigration and visa purposes: many foreign embassies and high commissions require Indian applicants to submit statutory declarations regarding personal circumstances, financial status, or relationships as part of visa applications. For property transactions: when title documents have discrepancies or are incomplete, a statutory declaration from the affected party or their heirs is required at the Sub-Registrar's office to explain the discrepancy and establish title. For name change: when you have changed your name after marriage, divorce, or for personal reasons, a statutory declaration before a Notary Public, supported by a newspaper notice, is the standard procedure for updating official records. For loss of original documents: when original certificates, degrees, or identity documents are lost, a statutory declaration of loss is required by issuing authorities before duplicate documents are issued. For estate matters: when proving relationship to a deceased person for succession and inheritance purposes, a statutory declaration of relationship is required by banks, courts, and registrars. For overseas use: when Indian documents or declarations are required for use in foreign countries, statutory declarations before a Notary Public (with apostille for Hague Convention countries) are the standard form of authenticated personal declarations recognised internationally. For professional registrations: regulatory bodies including the Bar Council of India, Medical Council of India, ICAI, and ICSI require statutory declarations from applicants for various registration and renewal purposes.
Parties in India should prepare a Statutory Declaration (India) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations.
What to Include in Your Statutory Declaration (India)
A Statutory Declaration for India should include: the heading 'STATUTORY DECLARATION' in capital letters; full name, age, father's name or husband's name, occupation, and complete residential address of the declarant; Aadhaar number and PAN where relevant for identity; a statement of the authority before whom the declaration is being made (e.g., 'I do solemnly and sincerely declare before [Name], Notary Public for [Area]'); numbered paragraphs setting out each factual statement being declared with precision — specific dates, amounts, names, places, and document references as applicable; a verification clause confirming the contents are true to the declarant's personal knowledge and belief; specific reference to the purpose for which the declaration is being made; for declarations intended for use abroad, a confirmation that the declarant is an Indian national resident at the stated address; the declarant's full signature (not initials) at the bottom of each page and at the end; the Notary Public's jurat (attestation) including their full name, registration number, area of appointment, date of attestation, and official seal; and for apostille applications, leave space for the MEA's apostille certificate. The document must be executed on appropriate stamp paper, and the Notary must make an entry in their register of acts. A copy should be retained by the declarant.
Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for India-compliant documentation.
Cite this page
Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Statutory Declaration (India) (India) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/india/personal/legal-declarations/statutory-declaration-india
"Statutory Declaration (India) (India)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/india/personal/legal-declarations/statutory-declaration-india.
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title = {Statutory Declaration (India) (India)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/india/personal/legal-declarations/statutory-declaration-india}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Indian Contract Act, 1872}
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Statutory Declaration in India is a formal, solemn written statement of facts made by a person (the declarant) before an authorised officer — typically a Notary Public, Magistrate, or other officer empowered to administer oaths under the Oaths Act 1969. The term 'statutory declaration' in the Indian context draws from British legal tradition, where the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 established the form, and its principles are now embedded in Indian practice through the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023 (which replaced the Indian Evidence Act 1872 from 1 July 2024) and the Oaths Act 1969. Unlike a simple self-declaration (which is unsworn), a statutory declaration is made solemnly before an authorised officer and carries the full legal weight of a sworn statement. Unlike an affidavit (which is made on oath or solemn affirmation specifically for use in judicial proceedings), a statutory declaration may be made for both judicial and non-judicial purposes. In practice, the distinction between an affidavit and a statutory declaration in India has become blurred — both are executed on stamp paper before a Notary Public and carry substantially the same legal consequences. A false statutory declaration constitutes perjury under Section 193 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 (Section 229 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023), punishable with imprisonment up to seven years. Statutory declarations are commonly used in India for declarations of identity, name change, loss of original documents, non-employment in government service, income and financial status, and other personal circumstances requiring formal attestation.
A Statutory Declaration in India must be made before a person authorised to administer oaths under Indian law. The Oaths Act 1969 (which replaced the Oaths Act 1873) and the Notaries Act 1952 identify the categories of persons authorised to receive and attest solemn declarations. Notaries Public appointed under the Notaries Act 1952 by the Central Government or State Governments are the most widely used witnesses for statutory declarations. A Notary Public's jurisdiction covers the area for which they are appointed, and their attestation is recognised throughout India under Section 14 of the Notaries Act 1952. Judicial Magistrates and Metropolitan Magistrates have inherent authority to administer oaths and receive declarations under the Oaths Act 1969 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 (which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 from 1 July 2024). Civil Judges and other judicial officers have similar authority for civil matters. Oath Commissioners appointed by High Courts specifically to administer oaths for court proceedings are also authorised witnesses. Officers of the Government authorised by state governments under specific statutes may receive declarations for specific purposes — for example, Revenue Officers for land-related declarations, and Registrars and Sub-Registrars for registration-related declarations under the Registration Act 1908.
An apostille is an official certification that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in foreign countries that are members of the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents 1961 (the Apostille Convention). India acceded to the Apostille Convention in 2005, and apostilles are issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for documents destined for use in other Hague Convention member countries. When a Statutory Declaration or affidavit made in India before a Notary Public needs to be used in a Hague Convention country (such as the UK, USA, France, Germany, Australia, or any of the 120+ member nations), an apostille must be affixed to the document to authenticate the Notary's signature and seal. The apostille is obtained from the MEA's Authentication Division in New Delhi or Regional Authentication Centres in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and Chandigarh. The process involves: having the document attested by a Notary Public or State Government authority; submitting the attested document to the MEA or Regional Centre with the prescribed fee and application form; receiving the apostille certificate attached to or stamped on the document. Without an apostille, a document notarised in India must go through full diplomatic legalisation (attestation by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs followed by the destination country's embassy in India), which is more time-consuming. For countries that are not members of the Hague Convention, the full legalisation chain remains necessary.
A Statutory Declaration (India) does not legally require a lawyer in India, and individuals and businesses may draft and execute the document independently. The Indian Contract Act, 1872 does not mandate legal representation for the creation or signing of this type of document. However, seeking independent legal advice from a qualified India lawyer is recommended for transactions involving substantial financial value, complex regulatory requirements, or cross-border elements where multiple legal jurisdictions may apply. A lawyer can verify that the document complies with all applicable statutory requirements, identify potential risks specific to the transaction, and confirm that the terms adequately protect the interests of all parties involved. The Supreme Court of India has jurisdiction over disputes arising from this type of document. Professional legal review is particularly advisable where the document will be submitted to government agencies or used as evidence in legal proceedings.
A Statutory Declaration (India) does not legally require a lawyer in India, and individuals and businesses may draft and execute the document independently. However, seeking independent legal advice from a qualified Indian lawyer is recommended where the matter involves substantial value, complex facts, or cross-border elements. A lawyer can confirm the document is correctly drafted, identify risks specific to the situation, and ensure it meets all applicable requirements. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for India-compliant documentation.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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