Who can witness a statutory declaration in Singapore?

A statutory declaration in Singapore must be witnessed by a Commissioner for Oaths, a Notary Public, or a Justice of the Peace. Commissioners for Oaths can be found at law firms throughout Singapore, and fees are regulated. The Singapore Academy of Law maintains a directory of Commissioners for Oaths.

What is the difference between a statutory declaration and an affidavit in Singapore?

Both are solemn statements of fact, but an affidavit is specifically used as evidence in Singapore court proceedings, whereas a statutory declaration is used for administrative and non-litigious purposes. An affidavit in Singapore must comply with the Rules of Court 2021 and is filed with the court; a statutory declaration is submitted to government bodies, institutions, or private organisations.

Is there a prescribed form for a statutory declaration in Singapore?

The Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap. 211) prescribes the declaratory words that must appear in every Singapore statutory declaration. The remainder of the document — the statement of facts — is drafted by the declarant. Our template incorporates the prescribed words and provides a clear structure for setting out the factual content.

Can I use a statutory declaration to report a lost Singapore NRIC or passport?

Yes. A statutory declaration is commonly used in Singapore to formally confirm the loss of important documents such as an NRIC, passport, or birth certificate. The Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) may require a statutory declaration as part of the replacement process. Some organisations, such as banks, may also require a police report alongside the declaration.

How much does it cost to have a statutory declaration witnessed in Singapore?

Commissioner for Oaths fees in Singapore are regulated by the Commissioner for Oaths Rules. The fee for administering a statutory declaration is typically between S$10 and S$50, depending on the complexity and the number of exhibits. Law firms may charge a higher professional fee in addition to the regulated commissioner's fee.

Can I sign a statutory declaration electronically in Singapore?

No. A statutory declaration requires the declarant to appear in person before an authorised witness in Singapore and to sign in the witness's presence. Electronic signatures are not currently accepted for statutory declarations, as the personal attendance requirement is fundamental to the Act's integrity-verification function.

What happens if my Singapore statutory declaration is found to be false?

Under section 199 of the Penal Code 1871 (Cap. 224), making a false statutory declaration in Singapore is a criminal offence carrying a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. Civil consequences may also follow — for example, if a false declaration was used to obtain property or a government benefit, restitution or damages may be ordered by the Singapore courts.

Can the Singapore Legal Aid Bureau help me with a statutory declaration?

The Singapore Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) provides subsidised legal assistance to Singapore citizens and permanent residents who meet the means and merits tests. If you need a statutory declaration in connection with a legal proceeding — for example, a probate application or a family law matter — the LAB may be able to assist. Contact the LAB at the Ministry of Law Services Centre on Stamford Road, Singapore.

LegalSG

Statutory Declaration Template (Singapore)

A statutory declaration is a formal written statement of fact made voluntarily and solemnly, signed in the presence of an authorised witness in Singapore. Our free Singapore statutory declaration template is structured in accordance with the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap. 211) and is suitable for a wide range of personal and commercial uses — including lost document declarations, name change confirmations, and probate purposes.

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STATUTORY DECLARATION

Made Pursuant To The Oaths And Declarations Act (Cap 211)

DECLARANT PARTICULARS

FULL NAME	Ahmad Bin Hassan
NRIC / FIN / PASSPORT	S7812345A
DATE OF BIRTH	15 March 1978
NATIONALITY	Singapore Citizen
OCCUPATION	Software Engineer
ADDRESS	12 Bishan Street 12, #05-34, Singapore 579808

DECLARATION DETAILS

SUBJECT	Loss of Original NRIC
PURPOSE	ICA — Identity Card / Passport Matters
DATE	25 April 2026
LOCATION	Singapore

I, Ahmad Bin Hassan, NRIC/FIN/Passport No. S7812345A, of 12 Bishan Street 12, #05-34, Singapore 579808, do solemnly and sincerely declare as follows:

1. I am the holder of Singapore NRIC No. S7812345A.

2. On or about 20 April 2026, I lost my original Singapore National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) whilst commuting on public transport.

3. Despite a thorough search, I have been unable to locate the said NRIC.

4. I have not made any statutory declaration in respect of this matter previously.

5. The said NRIC has not been used or is not in the possession of any other person to my knowledge.

And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, by virtue of the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap 211), and subject to the penalties prescribed for the making of a false declaration.

The following documents are exhibited to and form part of this declaration:
Exhibit A: Singapore Police Force report dated 21 April 2026

Declared at Singapore on 25 April 2026.

DECLARANT

Ahmad Bin Hassan

Date: ____________________

BEFORE ME:

COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS / NOTARY PUBLIC

Tan Ah Kow

Date: ____________________

Note: This statutory declaration is made pursuant to the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap 211) of Singapore. Making a false statutory declaration is a criminal offence punishable under s 14 of the Oaths and Declarations Act and s 199 of the Penal Code 1871 (Cap 224). This declaration must be made in the physical presence of a Commissioner for Oaths, Notary Public, or Magistrate.

What Is a Statutory Declaration?

A statutory declaration is a legally prescribed written statement in which the declarant affirms the truth of certain facts without taking a formal oath. Unlike a sworn affidavit (which is used in court proceedings), a statutory declaration is used for administrative, regulatory, and civil purposes — confirming facts to government bodies, financial institutions, insurers, or other organisations that require formal proof. The declarant signs the document in the presence of an authorised witness who administers the declaration and subscribes their own signature and designation.

In Singapore, the legal basis for statutory declarations is the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap. 211). The Act sets out who may administer statutory declarations — namely a Commissioner for Oaths, a Notary Public, or a Justice of the Peace — and prescribes the form of the declaration and the declaratory words to be used. A statutory declaration made outside Singapore may be administered by a diplomatic or consular officer of Singapore, or by a person authorised to administer oaths in that jurisdiction under local law.

Making a false statutory declaration in Singapore is a serious criminal offence. Under section 199 of the Penal Code 1871 (Cap. 224), a person who makes a false statement in a statutory declaration knowing it to be false or not believing it to be true is guilty of an offence and may be imprisoned for up to seven years, fined, or both. The gravity of this sanction means that Singapore statutory declarations carry significant legal weight and are widely accepted by courts, government agencies, and private institutions as reliable evidence of fact. The Singapore Legal Aid Bureau can assist qualifying individuals who need guidance on statutory declarations for legal proceedings.

What This Template Covers

Our Singapore statutory declaration template includes all mandatory elements required under the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap. 211) and common-use provisions.

Declarant's Particulars

Full name, NRIC/FIN or passport number, nationality, and address of the person making the declaration.

Declaratory Statement

Prescribed opening words — "I, [name], do solemnly and sincerely declare that…" — as required by the Act.

Statement of Facts

Clear, numbered paragraphs setting out each fact being declared, written in plain English for easy verification.

Subject Matter Options

Pre-drafted sections for common uses: lost document, name change, single status, change of address, probate asset declaration, or custom statement.

Solemn Affirmation Clause

Closing clause — "And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap. 211)" — as required by law.

Declarant's Signature Block

Space for the declarant's signature and the date on which the declaration is made before the authorised witness.

Witness / Commissioner for Oaths Block

Designated section for the Commissioner for Oaths, Notary Public, or Justice of the Peace to sign, affix their stamp or seal, and record their appointment details.

Exhibit References

Provision for attaching and identifying exhibits (documents referred to in the declaration), with standard exhibit labelling.

Date and Place

Fields for the date and location (Singapore or overseas) where the declaration is made and witnessed.

Purpose Statement

Optional preamble identifying the purpose for which the declaration is made — for example, submission to a Singapore government ministry or statutory board.

How to Create a Singapore Statutory Declaration

Follow these steps to produce a valid statutory declaration in accordance with Singapore law.

1
Identify the Facts to Declare
List every fact you need to confirm in clear, numbered paragraphs. Be accurate and complete — you will be affirming these facts as true before a witness. Avoid ambiguity and legal jargon.
2
Fill in Your Personal Details
Enter your full legal name (as shown on your NRIC or passport), your identification number, and your address. For a Singapore-issued NRIC, use the number in full.
3
Attach Any Exhibits
If you refer to other documents — a lost document report, a birth certificate, or a certificate of name change — attach them and label them as exhibits (e.g., "Exhibit A") with a corresponding reference in the declaration text.
4
Sign Before an Authorised Witness
Do not sign the declaration before attending before your witness. Bring the unsigned document to a Commissioner for Oaths, Notary Public, or Justice of the Peace in Singapore. The witness will administer the declaration, watch you sign, then countersign and stamp the document.
5
Submit to the Relevant Organisation
Provide the completed, witnessed declaration to the receiving body — whether a Singapore government ministry, statutory board, financial institution, or private organisation. Retain a certified copy for your records.

Legal Considerations

Understanding the legal framework surrounding statutory declarations in Singapore will help you ensure your declaration is valid, accepted, and properly witnessed.

This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a Singapore-qualified lawyer or visit the Law Society of Singapore.

Reviewed for Singapore Law

Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap. 211) — Form and Administration

The Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap. 211) is the primary Singapore statute governing statutory declarations. It prescribes who may administer a statutory declaration in Singapore (Commissioners for Oaths, Notaries Public, and Justices of the Peace), the form of the declaratory words, and the manner in which the declaration must be executed. A declaration that omits the prescribed declaratory words, or that is signed without the declarant being physically present before an authorised witness, may be invalid and refused by the receiving body. Singapore government agencies and the Singapore courts will generally require strict compliance with the Act's requirements.

Criminal Liability for False Declarations

Making a false statutory declaration in Singapore is a serious criminal offence under section 199 of the Penal Code 1871 (Cap. 224). The maximum penalty is seven years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. This applies even if the declarant did not intend to mislead — making a statement without believing it to be true is sufficient. Declarants in Singapore should carefully review every fact stated in the declaration before signing, and should not declare matters they cannot personally verify.

Common Uses in Singapore and Acceptance by Authorities

Statutory declarations are widely used in Singapore for a broad range of administrative purposes: replacing lost original documents (certificates, licences, passports), confirming a change of name before it is reflected in official Singapore records, confirming single or marital status for foreign immigration applications, establishing facts for probate in the Singapore Family Justice Courts, and supporting applications to Singapore statutory boards such as CPF Board, HDB, and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Many Singapore banks, insurers, and government agencies will accept a statutory declaration in place of a primary document that is unavailable.

Overseas Statutory Declarations for Use in Singapore

If you are abroad and need to make a statutory declaration for use in Singapore, the declaration should be administered by a Singapore diplomatic or consular officer, or by a person authorised under the law of the country where you are located. The declaration may subsequently need to be apostilled or notarised for recognition by Singapore authorities. The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) maintains a network of overseas missions that can assist Singapore citizens and permanent residents with such declarations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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