Statutory declarations for Alberta Registries, insurers and benefit programs
A formal declaration of fact made outside of court. Alberta Registries, insurers and benefit programs ask for these constantly.
A statutory declaration does much the same job as an affidavit, but it's used outside of court proceedings. Instead of "sworn", the closing line usually reads "declared before me", and the body typically ends with the phrase "and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing it to be true".
These are the workhorses of Alberta administration. Registry agents, insurers, pension administrators and federal programs all use them to get a fact on the record with legal consequences attached — that you and your partner live together, that a vehicle was a gift rather than a sale, that a document was genuinely lost.
Most take ten minutes. Many of them are the last thing standing between you and a registry counter, which is why same-day appointments matter here more than anywhere else.
You probably need this if…
- Your form says "declared before me" or "solemn declaration"
- A registry agent handed you a form and told you to get it commissioned
- An insurer, pension plan or federal program needs a fact confirmed formally
- You're transferring a vehicle between family members as a gift
How to prepare
Every appointment needs the same three things — valid government photo ID, your document filled in, and an unsigned signature line. For this service, add the following:
- 1Registry forms often need supporting documents attached — the vehicle registration, the policy number, the old ID. Bring them.
- 2Federal forms (IRCC, CRA, Service Canada) frequently name both declarants; if two people are declaring, both need to be present with ID.
- 3Check whether the receiving office wants an original or accepts a scan, so you know how many copies to prepare.
A handful of federal and international programs specifically require a Notary Public rather than a Commissioner for Oaths. If the form names a notary, read that line to Peggy before booking and she'll tell you straight.
Statutory Declarations
Questions about this specifically
Is a statutory declaration the same as an affidavit?
Legally they're very close — both are formal statements of fact made under penalty for falsehood. The practical difference is context: affidavits are for court proceedings, statutory declarations for everything else. Peggy commissions both.
Can you commission the common-law declaration for immigration?
In most cases yes. IRCC's Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union asks for a commissioner of oaths or notary public, and an Alberta Commissioner for Oaths satisfies that. Both partners must attend together with photo ID.
What about a vehicle gift between family members?
Alberta Registries requires a declaration confirming the vehicle was a genuine gift, which spares the recipient the tax on a deemed sale. Bring the registration details and have both parties available if the form names both.
Often needed alongside this
Affidavits
A written statement you swear or affirm is true. Used any time a court, employer, insurer or government office needs your account of something on the record.
Read moreWitnessing Signatures
Many forms simply need an impartial commissioner to watch you sign and confirm you are who you say you are.
Read moreAll services
Every document type Peggy commissions, plus the published fee schedule.
Need statutory declarations handled?
Tell Peggy the document and your postal code, and she'll confirm she's the right person for it — then give you the first available window.