How to Make a Digital Commonwealth Statutory Declaration Through myGov
Create a Commonwealth statutory declaration digitally through myGov using Digital ID, without an approved witness, then download the completed PDF.
AU Australia
Documents & Identity ~ 9 min read
8 FAQ
Updated 2026-09-21
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You can create a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration in English through the myGov website or app without a witness. You need a myGov account and a Digital ID such as myID connected to it at Standard identity strength or higher. You verify your identity, enter the declaration, sign electronically, confirm the false-declaration warning, create the declaration and download the PDF. There is currently no fee for using myGov or myID for this service.
What you need
- A myGov account.
- A Digital ID connected to your myGov account with at least Standard identity strength. myID is the Australian Government Digital ID used in the myGov instructions.
- Your name in your Digital ID must be correct because myGov uses that name for the declaration; you cannot enter another name or create the declaration for someone else.
- The declaration must be a Commonwealth statutory declaration, not a state or territory statutory declaration.
- The digital declaration created through myGov must be in English.
- A secure location on your device where you can save the completed PDF, because myGov does not save a copy of the declaration for you.
Eligibility
You can use myGov to make a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration if you have a myGov account and can verify your identity using a Digital ID connected to that account at Standard identity strength or higher. The myGov process creates the declaration in your own verified Digital ID name, so you cannot use it to make a declaration on behalf of another person. The digital myGov method is for Commonwealth statutory declarations and is available only in English. If the organisation requesting your declaration requires a state or territory statutory declaration, follow that jurisdiction's requirements instead.
How to do it
- Confirm you need a Commonwealth statutory declaration. Ask the person, organisation or government agency requesting the declaration if you are unsure whether it needs a Commonwealth, state or territory declaration.
- Set up myGov and Digital ID. Create a myGov account if necessary. Set up a Digital ID such as myID, achieve at least Standard identity strength and connect it to your myGov account.
- Check the name in your Digital ID. myGov uses that verified name in the declaration. You cannot substitute another name or create the declaration for another person.
- Start the declaration. On the myGov website, sign in using Digital ID and follow the digital Commonwealth statutory declaration process. In the myGov app, go to Services, then Forms and Applications, then Commonwealth statutory declaration.
- Enter your declaration. Complete all required fields, number each paragraph and write in the first person using words such as I, me and my.
- Review and sign it electronically. Check the information, select Sign document and draw, type or upload a photo of your signature.
- Make the declaration. Read the warning about false declarations, confirm the required checkbox and select Create declaration. No witness is required because your identity is verified digitally.
- Download and save the PDF. Save the completed declaration securely to your device. You can then print it or share it electronically with the person or organisation that requested it.
What is a Commonwealth statutory declaration?
A statutory declaration, commonly called a stat dec, is a statement of facts that you declare to be true and accurate. It can be used as evidence and may be requested for matters such as employment, leave, insurance, superannuation, visa applications and other government or administrative processes.
The Commonwealth, states and territories have different statutory declaration requirements. Before creating one, confirm which type of statutory declaration the recipient requires.
Can you make a Commonwealth stat dec online without a witness?
Yes. A Commonwealth statutory declaration can be created digitally through myGov using Digital ID verification. You do not need an approved witness when you use the digital myGov method.
The Attorney-General's Department confirms three ways to make a Commonwealth statutory declaration: digitally through myGov using Digital ID, in person before an approved witness, or remotely before an approved witness using video link. Each method creates an equally valid Commonwealth statutory declaration when completed correctly.
What do you need before you start?
You need a myGov account and a Digital ID connected to that account. Your Digital ID must have at least Standard identity strength.
myID is the Australian Government's Digital ID app. If you have not configured it yet, the separate Helpydo guide explains how to set up myID and verify your digital identity.
Before creating the declaration, check that the name in your Digital ID is correct. myGov uses that name to create the statutory declaration. You cannot enter a different name or make a digital declaration on behalf of someone else.
You should also have a secure place on your device to save the finished PDF. myGov does not save a copy of the declaration or the details contained in it, so you need to download the completed document yourself.
How do you create the declaration in myGov?
On the myGov website, sign in using Digital ID. The official instructions currently direct users selecting myID as their Identity Provider to enter their myID email address, continue the login through the myID app and then return to myGov to start the declaration.
In the myGov app, go to Services, select Forms and Applications, then select Commonwealth statutory declaration.
Complete all required fields. myGov instructs you to number each paragraph and write the declaration in the first person using I, me and my. Review the information carefully before continuing.
When prompted to sign, you can draw your signature, type it or upload a photo of your signature. You must then read the information about making a false declaration, complete the required confirmation and select Create declaration.
Finally, select Download PDF and save the document securely. You can print the completed declaration or share it electronically.
Do you need someone to witness the myGov declaration?
No. Digital Identity verification replaces the witness step when you create a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration through myGov. The Attorney-General's Department confirms that an approved witness is not required for this method.
If you use the Commonwealth statutory declaration form instead of the myGov digital method, an approved witness is required, whether the witnessing takes place in person or remotely by video link.
Does a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration cost anything?
There are currently no fees associated with using myGov or your Digital Identity through myID to create a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration. The Attorney-General's Department notes that the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 does not prohibit an approved online platform from charging a fee, but the government myGov and myID route currently has no fee.
Is this the same as a state or territory statutory declaration?
No. Commonwealth, state and territory statutory declarations have different requirements. The digital service described here creates a Commonwealth statutory declaration.
If someone has asked you for a stat dec but has not specified which type, check with that person or organisation before creating it. Do not assume that a Commonwealth declaration can replace a declaration required under state or territory law.
Can you make the myGov declaration in another language?
No. The Attorney-General's Department states that digital Commonwealth statutory declarations through myGov can only be made in English.
If you want to make a Commonwealth statutory declaration in another language, the Attorney-General's Department directs you to use the witnessed form method. Its guidance states that a declaration written in another language must be translated by a translator registered with the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
What if you cannot or do not want to use myGov?
You can still make a Commonwealth statutory declaration using the approved form and an approved witness. The witness can observe you sign either in person or remotely by video link.
For remote witnessing, the Attorney-General's Department says you and the approved witness must sign the declaration together at the same time and the witness must see you sign. There is no prescribed video program, provided it supports video and audio so the witness can observe the signing.
An approved witness must be a person prescribed under Schedule 1 of the Statutory Declarations Regulations 2023. This includes people holding specified Australian licensed or registered occupations, Australian legal practitioners and people holding specified Australian positions.
How can someone check that the digital declaration is genuine?
A digital Commonwealth statutory declaration made through myGov contains a QR code on each page. A person receiving the declaration can scan the QR code using the myGov app and compare the information displayed with the declaration to verify that it is genuine and unaltered.
The Attorney-General's Department explains that the information displayed through the QR code is not stored on myGov; it is stored in encrypted form in the QR code itself. myGov retains the additional key needed to decode that information.
Does myGov keep a copy of your statutory declaration?
No. myGov states that it does not store a copy of your declaration or the information you entered in it. You must download and securely save the completed PDF yourself.
Your myGov account history records the date on which you created the declaration and a document ID. If you need another declaration later, you must verify your identity using Digital ID again.
What should you check before signing?
Read every statement carefully and make sure the facts you declare are true and accurate before signing. A statutory declaration is a formal declaration, and knowingly including false information can constitute a criminal offence.
Also check that the recipient asked for a Commonwealth statutory declaration and that your verified Digital ID name is correct. Once the document is created, download and keep the final PDF rather than assuming myGov will retain a copy for you.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not use the Commonwealth process when the recipient specifically requires a state or territory statutory declaration.
- Do not start until your Digital ID is connected to myGov and has at least Standard identity strength.
- Check your Digital ID name first because myGov uses that name and does not let you substitute another person's name.
- Do not try to create a declaration for someone else through your own Digital ID.
- Do not look for a witness when using the myGov digital method; Digital ID verification replaces witnessing for this method.
- Do not use the myGov digital method if you need to make the declaration in a language other than English.
- Review every paragraph before signing and declaring that the information is true.
- Download and securely save the completed PDF because myGov does not retain a copy of the declaration for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a witness for a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration through myGov?
No. When you create the declaration through myGov, your identity is verified using Digital ID, so an approved witness is not required.
What Digital ID strength do I need to create a statutory declaration in myGov?
Your Digital ID must have at least Standard identity strength and be connected to your myGov account.
Is there a fee to create a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration through myGov?
No. The Attorney-General's Department states that there are currently no fees for using myGov or your Digital Identity through myID to create a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration.
Can I make a digital statutory declaration for someone else using myGov?
No. myGov uses the verified name in your Digital ID, and you cannot enter another name or create the declaration on behalf of another person.
Can I create the myGov statutory declaration in a language other than English?
No. Digital Commonwealth statutory declarations created through myGov can only be made in English. The witnessed form method is available if you need to make a Commonwealth declaration in another language.
Does myGov save my completed statutory declaration?
No. You must download and securely save the completed PDF yourself. myGov records the creation date and document ID in your account history but does not store a copy of the declaration or its contents.
Can I still make a Commonwealth statutory declaration with a witness?
Yes. You can use the approved Commonwealth form and have an approved witness observe you sign either in person or remotely by video link.
Can I use the myGov declaration when I have been asked for a state statutory declaration?
Not automatically. Commonwealth, state and territory statutory declarations have different requirements. Check with the person or organisation requesting the declaration to confirm which type they require.
Official sources
myGov — Create a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration through myGovmyGov — Commonwealth statutory declarationsmyGov — Digital IDmyGov — Other ways to create a Commonwealth statutory declarationAttorney-General's Department — Digital Commonwealth statutory declarationsAttorney-General's Department — About Commonwealth statutory declarationsAttorney-General's Department — Making a Commonwealth statutory declaration with a witnessAttorney-General's Department — Who can witness a Commonwealth statutory declarationFederal Register of Legislation — Statutory Declarations Regulations 2023Related procedures
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