Can you do a Statutory Declaration Over Zoom or Teams?
It's a question that comes up every now and then. With video calls now a normal part of everyday life, it’s an obvious thing to ask. I spoke to our solicitor and put the question to them directly.
Here's how that conversation went.
Matt: Is it possible to do a Statutory Declaration by Zoom, Teams, or any other video call platform?
Solicitor: No — and it's important people understand this, because if it's done that way, it simply won't be valid. The person making the declaration has to appear in person, in front of the solicitor, and sign the document there and then. That's a legal requirement.
Matt: Is that written down somewhere, or is it just common practice?
Solicitor: It's legislation. The Statutory Declarations Act 1835, to be precise. It's very clear on this point — physical presence is required. There's no workaround.
Matt: So this has been the law since 1835?
Solicitor: It has. The Statutory Declarations Act 1835 — they clearly didn't have Teams when they were drafting that one. But the requirement stands, and it exists for good reason. The in-person element is part of what makes the declaration legally binding. It confirms identity, intent, and that the person is signing of their own free will.
Matt: Wasn't there something during COVID where they made an exception to that?
Solicitor: Yes, there was a temporary exclusion introduced during the pandemic that allowed declarations to be witnessed remotely. But that expired at the end of September 2021. We're firmly back to the original rules now — in person, no exceptions.
Matt: So COVID briefly brought a bit of common sense to the process, and then we just... rewound 191 years?
Solicitor: Pretty much! This is England, after all. Now if you'll excuse me, pass me my vellum and feather pen — I have papers to sign. 🥳
What This Means If You're Living Abroad
If you're an expat or you've been living outside the UK for some time, this is really important to know before you make plans — particularly if you've heard that remote declarations were allowed at some point. They were, briefly. A temporary exception was introduced during the pandemic, but it expired at the end of September 2021. That door is firmly closed now.
A Statutory Declaration cannot be completed remotely — full stop. You'll need to either:
Travel to the UK and attend an appointment with a solicitor in person, or
In some cases, have the declaration taken by a Notary Public in your country of residence, though this depends on what the declaration is being used for and whether it will be accepted in place of a UK Statutory Declaration.
There are usually UK registered solicitors practicing in most countries, see if they can help.
It's always worth checking exactly what's required before booking anything, so you don't end up caught out.
If you're unsure whether you need a Statutory Declaration as part of your apostille process, or you have questions about what documents you need and how to get them sorted, get in touch with us at The Apostilles Group, we deal with this stuff every day and we're always happy to point you in the right direction.
