Statutory declarations for visa applications: what they prove

A statutory declaration is a written statement of fact that you sign in front of an authorised person, such as a lawyer, notary public, or Justice of the Peace. In a New Zealand visa application, it is used when you need to prove a fact that cannot be shown with a standard document — for example, that a relationship is genuine and stable, that you have financial support, or that a particular circumstance exists. The declaration itself is not proof; it is a formal statement that you are willing to make under penalty of law. Immigration New Zealand will weigh it alongside the rest of your evidence, and it must be consistent with every other document you submit.

When a statutory declaration is required or accepted

The official guidance for this article does not list every situation in which Immigration New Zealand asks for a statutory declaration. What it does show is that several visa categories depend on facts that are often proven by declaration, and the official pages for those visas set out the specific requirements you must meet.

For example, if you are applying for a working holiday visa, you must show that you are coming mainly to holiday, and that work or study is a secondary intention. That is a statement of intent, not a document. If Immigration New Zealand asks you to evidence it, a statutory declaration is the natural format.

Similarly, partner visas require you to prove that your relationship is genuine and stable. The official pages for the Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa, Partner of a Student Work Visa, and Partner of a Worker Work Visa all describe the relationship evidence needed, and a statutory declaration from you or your partner is commonly used to explain aspects of the relationship that documents cannot show — for example, how you met, how you communicate, or why you live apart.

In every case, the rule is the same: read the specific visa page for your situation. It will tell you whether a declaration is required, what it must say, and who must make it.

Who can make a statutory declaration

A statutory declaration must be made by the person who has direct knowledge of the facts being declared. You cannot make a declaration about someone else’s relationship, income, or circumstances unless you have first-hand knowledge of those facts.

For a partner visa, the declaration is usually made by the applicant and by the partner, each declaring their own perspective. For a sponsorship situation, the sponsor may declare their willingness and ability to support the applicant, but the applicant still needs to declare their own circumstances.

The person making the declaration must sign it in front of an authorised witness. In New Zealand, authorised witnesses include lawyers, notaries public, Justices of the Peace, and certain court officials. The witness must see you sign, confirm your identity, and then complete their own certification block. You cannot sign a statutory declaration in advance and have it witnessed later.

If you are outside New Zealand, you must use a person authorised to take statutory declarations in your country of residence. This is usually a notary public or a lawyer. The declaration must be witnessed in the country where you sign it, not in New Zealand.

What a statutory declaration must state

A statutory declaration is a statement of fact, not a statement of opinion. It should be written in the first person, in plain language, and it should state only what you know to be true.

There is no single official template for a New Zealand visa statutory declaration, but the content must cover the following:

Element	What it must do
Your identity	State your full name, date of birth, and passport number
Your relationship to the application	State whether you are the applicant, the partner, or the sponsor
The facts	State the specific facts you are declaring, in chronological order where relevant
The source of your knowledge	State whether you are declaring from your own direct knowledge
The declaration clause	State that you make the declaration knowing it may be used in a visa application and that the contents are true
Signature and witness	Sign in the presence of an authorised witness, who then signs and stamps or seals

The declaration clause is important. It is the part that makes the document a statutory declaration rather than an ordinary letter. If you omit it, the document may not be accepted.

Statutory declaration vs affidavit

A statutory declaration and an affidavit are similar but not identical. An affidavit is a sworn statement made on oath, typically used in court proceedings. A statutory declaration is a statement made under penalty of law but not on oath, and it is used in administrative and government processes, including visa applications.

Immigration New Zealand generally asks for statutory declarations rather than affidavits. If you are asked for an affidavit, the wording and witnessing requirements are stricter, and you should follow the instructions on the specific form or request you received.

Do not use an affidavit when a statutory declaration has been requested, and do not use a statutory declaration when an affidavit has been requested. The two are not interchangeable.

How to write a statutory declaration for a visa application

Write the declaration in your own words. Do not copy a template from the internet, because the facts are different for every applicant, and a generic template will not address the specific evidence gaps in your application.

Start with your full legal name and date of birth. Then state the purpose of the declaration — for example, “I make this declaration in support of my application for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa.”

Then state the facts. Be specific and chronological. If you are declaring that a relationship is genuine and stable, cover how you met, when the relationship began, how you have maintained it, and what your future plans are. If you are declaring that you are coming to New Zealand mainly for holiday, state your travel plans, your return ticket, and why work is secondary.

Avoid vague language. “We are in a genuine relationship” is an opinion. “We have lived together since March 2024, we share a bank account, and we have introduced each other to our families” is a fact. Immigration New Zealand will assess the facts, not the adjectives.

Keep the declaration to one or two pages. It should support your application, not replace it. If you have a lot to say, structure it with numbered paragraphs so that the reader can follow it easily.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is treating the statutory declaration as a substitute for documentary evidence. A declaration cannot replace a marriage certificate, a joint bank statement, or a tenancy agreement. It can only explain or contextualise those documents. If you are missing a document, the declaration should explain why, not pretend the document does not matter.

The second mistake is inconsistency. If your declaration says you have lived together since 2024, but your tenancy agreement starts in 2025, Immigration New Zealand will notice. Every fact in the declaration must match the rest of your evidence.

The third mistake is signing before the witness sees you. The witness must be present when you sign. If you sign alone and then take the document to a Justice of the Peace, the declaration is invalid and must be redone.

The fourth mistake is using a declaration to state something you do not actually know. If you are declaring facts about your partner’s income or employment, you should only do so if you have direct knowledge. Otherwise, your partner should make their own declaration.

What to do next

Before you write anything, read the official visa page for your situation. It will tell you whether a statutory declaration is required, what it must cover, and what other evidence you need. The pages for the Partner of a Worker Work Visa, the Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa, and the Accredited Employer Work Visa family support categories are the most likely places to find these requirements.

Then write the declaration, sign it in front of an authorised witness, and keep a copy for your records. Upload it with your online application, and make sure the facts in it are consistent with every other document you submit.

If you are unsure whether a statutory declaration is needed, or what it should say, contact Immigration New Zealand or check the specific instructions on the visa page. A declaration that is wrong, vague, or inconsistent can weaken your application, so it is worth getting it right the first time.