Digital Commonwealth statutory declaration (2024)

A statutory declaration is a statement of facts you declare to be true and accurate. It can be used as evidence.

There are many reasons you may need to create a statutory declaration. Some common reasons include:

• visa applications
• insurance claims
• superannuation claims
• employment and leave.

If you write something in a statutory declaration and you know it’s not true, you can be charged with a criminal offence. Find out more aboutwhat happens if you make a false statementin your declaration, on the Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) website.

Types of statutory declarations

There are two types of statutory declarations:

• a Commonwealth statutory declaration
• state and territory declarations.

Generally, the statutory declaration you need to complete depends on the location and subject of the declaration.

Commonwealth statutory declarations are for matters concerning federal legislation or matters in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

State and territory statutory declarations are for local or state managed matters such as drivers’ licences or road tolls.

Commonwealth statutory declarations

There are 3 options to complete a Commonwealth statutory declaration:

• Digital Commonwealth statutory declaration through myGov
• Commonwealth statutory declaration form
• Electronic execution form.

How to create a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration through myGov

You can create and download a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration in English using the myGov website or the myGov app.

We use Digital ID to verify your identity and ensure your declaration is legally binding without the need for a physical witness.

Before you create a declaration

There are a few things you need to check before you create a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration through myGov:

Create a myGov account if you don’t have one

If you don’t have a myGov account, follow the steps tocreate a myGov account.

Get a Digital ID and connect it to myGov

• You need to set up your Digital ID to at least a Standard identity strength to create a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration.
• Find outhow to set up your Digital IDand about identity strengths on the myGovID website.
• You’ll need to connect your Digital ID to your myGov account. Find outhow to connect your Digital ID to myGov.

Check your Digital ID name

• myGov will use the name in your Digital ID to create the declaration. You can’t enter another name and you can’t create a declaration on behalf of someone else.
• If you need to update your name in your Digital ID, you need to do this in the myGovID app. If you consent to share your details with myGov, the new name will appear the next time you verify with Digital ID.
• Find out how to update your Digital ID name on the myGovID website.

Make sure you have somewhere secure to save the declaration

myGov won’t save the declaration or the details within it. You need to download the declaration PDF and store it on your device.

Create a Commonwealth statutory declaration

Follow these steps to create a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration through myGov:

1. Sign in to myGov using your Digital ID. SelectContinue with Digital ID.
   
2. Select myGovID as your Identity Provider.
3. Enter your myGovID email address, then selectLogin.
4. A 4-digit code will appear on the login screen. Log in to your myGovID app using your 10-character password, fingerprint or face and enter or accept the 4-digit code in your myGovID app.
5. SelectGet started, in myGov.
6. Enter your address and occupation.
7. Enter your email (optional) and phone number (optional).
8. Enter your declaration. Start each paragraph with a number and write in first person.
9. Enter the location you are creating the declaration. SelectNext.
10. Review the declaration. If the information is correct, selectSign document.
11. You can draw, type or upload a photo of your signature. Once you’ve completed your preferred option, selectDone.
12. Read the information about creating a false declaration. If you agree, select the check box.
13. SelectCreate declaration.
14. SelectDownload PDF.Save the PDF document to your device. myGov will not store the declaration or the details within it after you exit.
15. You’ve now created and downloaded your digital Commonwealth statutory declaration. You can share and print the PDF.

If you need to create another declaration, you’ll need to verify with your Digital ID again.

Your myGov account history will log the date you created a declaration and a document ID.Find outhow to view your account history.

The declaration contains a QR code on each page to help third parties verify the declaration is genuine and valid. When a third party scans the QR code using the QR scanner in the myGov app, they can see all the information in the statutory declaration. Find out more aboutusing QR codes in the myGov app.

Commonwealth statutory declaration form

You can download theCommonwealth statutory declaration formas a PDF or Word document from the AGD website. Print and complete the form.

You must have this witnessed in person. Find out aboutwho can witness your Commonwealth statutory declarationon the AGD website.

Electronic execution form

You can complete a Commonwealthstatutory declaration for electronic executionon the AGD website, or download it and complete it.

You must have it witnessed in person or through video link on the AGD website.

Find out aboutwho can witness your Commonwealth statutory declarationon the AGD website.

Find out abouthow the approved witness can observe you signing the statutory declaration using audio visual technologyon the AGD website.