Statutory Declaration for Commonwealth Jurisdictions — Notarized in Bangkok

A Statutory Declaration is a written statement of facts declared to be true under penalty of perjury, used primarily in common-law / Commonwealth jurisdictions as the equivalent of a sworn affidavit but without religious oath. Source laws: (1) United Kingdom — Statutory Declarations Act 1835 (s.5 specifies form); used for HMRC matters, citizenship applications, marriage to foreign nationals, property transactions. (2) Australia — Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth); Form 1 prescribed under the Statutory Declarations Regulations 2018; required for Centrelink claims, Medicare, immigration (DFAT, Department of Home Affairs), citizenship, ATO tax matters, marriage to foreign nationals (DFAT does not issue CNI since 2014). (3) Canada — Canada Evidence Act + provincial Notaries Acts; required for IRCC immigration applications, Service Canada, CRA tax matters, marriage abroad. (4) New Zealand — Oaths and Declarations Act 1957; required for IRD, Immigration NZ, BDM registry, marriage to foreign nationals. (5) Ireland — Statutory Declarations Act 1938; required for Revenue Commissioners, Department of Justice citizenship applications, marriage abroad. (6) Singapore — Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap 211); required for ICA, IRAS, ACRA filings. (7) Malaysia — Statutory Declarations Act 1960 (Act 13); required for Immigration Department, LHDN tax, SSM company filings. (8) Hong Kong — Oaths and Declarations Ordinance (Cap 11); required for Immigration Department, Inland Revenue, Companies Registry. (9) India — Indian Oaths Act 1969; required for various government filings. (10) South Africa — Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act 1963; required for DHA, SARS, marriage and immigration. Critical distinction: 'Statutory Declaration' (no religious oath, civil consequences for falsity) vs 'Affidavit' (sworn oath on holy book, perjury consequences). iVC's Notarial Services Attorneys can administer both formats.

Top 12 use cases iVC handles weekly: (1) Marriage in Thailand for Australians — Statutory Declaration of No Impediment to Marriage (DFAT does not issue CNI); used at Thai District Office (Amphur). (2) Marriage in Thailand for Canadians — Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment; used at Amphur. (3) UK HMRC matters — Statutory Declaration of UK tax residency status; Statutory Declaration of self-employment for tax filings. (4) Australian Centrelink claims — Statutory Declaration of relationship status, household income, dependent care arrangements. (5) NZ Immigration partnership visa — Statutory Declaration by partner attesting to genuine relationship + cohabitation. (6) Singapore ICA Long-Term Visit Pass — Statutory Declaration of relationship to Singapore sponsor. (7) Canadian IRCC sponsorship — Statutory Declaration of common-law partnership (12+ months cohabitation evidence). (8) UK Spouse Visa applications — Statutory Declaration of unmarried partnership status (for partners not formally married). (9) Property transactions abroad — Statutory Declaration of beneficial ownership, source of funds (AML compliance). (10) Driver's license applications abroad — Statutory Declaration of driving experience history for license conversion. (11) Insurance claims — Statutory Declaration of loss circumstances (lost passport, stolen property, accident details). (12) Name change / identity verification — Statutory Declaration linking former and current names, or attesting to identity discrepancies (different spellings on different documents). (13) Lost document re-issuance — Statutory Declaration to UK HM Passport Office, Australian DFAT, etc. for replacement of lost passport. (14) Educational credentials — Statutory Declaration of qualifications when transcripts unavailable. (15) Veterans / Pension benefits — Statutory Declaration of life status, residence, dependent relationships.

iVC's Statutory Declaration pricing: (1) Simple Statutory Declaration (under 2 pages, standard purpose): 2,500-4,500 THB (USD 70-125) — turnaround same-day to 1 working day. (2) Statutory Declaration of No Impediment to Marriage (for AU/CA/UK/NZ/IE expats): 3,500-5,500 THB (USD 100-155) — includes drafting per destination District Office requirements + Thai translation by MoJ Master Translator + MOFA legalization recommendation. (3) Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Partnership (for IRCC/Immigration NZ/UK): 4,500-7,500 THB (USD 125-210) — includes evidence inventory checklist (cohabitation proof, joint finances, family recognition). (4) Complex Multi-Page Statutory Declaration (property, business, identity reconciliation): 5,500-9,500 THB (USD 155-265). (5) Statutory Declaration Package (multiple related declarations, e.g., couple's mirror declarations for partnership visa): 7,500-15,500 THB (USD 210-435) — saves 20-30% vs individual pricing. (6) Express Same-Day Service: +50% premium. (7) Mobile Service (to hotel/condo within BKK): +3,500-6,500 THB. (8) After-Hours / Weekend / Holiday: +30% premium. (9) MOFA Apostille (from Jan 2026): +1,500 THB. (10) Foreign Embassy Authentication (UK FCDO, Australian Consulate, Canadian Embassy authentication): +2,500-5,500 THB + embassy fees. (11) Thai Translation by MoJ Master Translator (required for declarations to be used in Thai context, e.g., marriage registration): +1,500-2,500 THB. (12) Witness Provision (if your jurisdiction requires 2 witnesses beyond the notary, e.g., some Will-related statutory declarations): +500-1,500 THB. (13) Receipt with Tax Invoice (ใบกำกับภาษี with 7% VAT) for corporate clients: free. Walk-in service: available; 30-60 min wait typically.

Background: Since 2014, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has not issued Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) for Australians marrying abroad. Instead, Australians must execute a Statutory Declaration of No Impediment to Marriage before a Notary Public or Australian Consular Officer. iVC's process (used 487 times in 2025-2026 with 100% Amphur acceptance rate): (1) Australian client books appointment at iVC Asoke (or mobile). (2) Bring originals: Australian passport; divorce decree (if previously married); deceased spouse's death certificate (if widowed); proof of Thai address (lease, hotel reservation). (3) iVC drafts Statutory Declaration including: declarant's full name + DOB + passport + Australian state of residence; declaration of freedom to marry; declaration of no current marriage; details of any previous marriages and their termination (divorce/death); Thai fiancé(e)'s full name + DOB + Thai ID + address; intended date and place of marriage; declaration made under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth) Section 11. (4) Declarant signs before iVC's Notarial Services Attorney; attorney verifies identity, witnesses signature, applies seal + certification. (5) Statutory Declaration translated to Thai by iVC's MoJ Master Translator. (6) MOFA Chaeng Watthana legalization of the Thai translation (1-3 working days; THB 800-1,800). (7) iVC accompanies client to District Office (Amphur) in Bangkok — most commonly Bang Rak, Watthana, Khlong Toei, Pathum Wan Amphurs — for marriage registration. (8) Amphur reviews documents, registers marriage, issues Thai Marriage Certificate (Kor.Ror.2 + Kor.Ror.3). (9) Thai Marriage Certificate can then be translated back to English + MOFA-legalized for use in Australia (BDM registration via Notice of Intention to Register an Overseas Marriage). Total package cost: 12,500-22,500 THB; total timeline: 5-10 working days. Success rate: 100% over 487 Australian marriage registrations 2025-2026.

Similar to the Australian process, Canadian citizens marrying in Thailand use a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage. The Canadian Embassy in Bangkok does NOT issue CNIs; Global Affairs Canada policy directs Canadians to obtain notarized statutory declarations from local notaries. iVC's Canadian Marriage Package (executed 312 times 2025-2026): (1) Canadian client visits iVC with: Canadian passport (original); long-form birth certificate (or DHL from Canada in advance); divorce certificate / annulment decree (if previously married); death certificate of former spouse (if widowed). (2) iVC drafts Statutory Declaration in Lieu of CNI referencing: Canadian Evidence Act + relevant provincial Notaries Act (Ontario Notaries Act, BC Notaries Act, Alberta Notary Public Act, Quebec Civil Code, etc. depending on declarant's province); declaration of single status; details of any prior marriages; full identification of Thai fiancé(e); intended marriage venue and date. (3) Declarant signs before iVC Notarial Services Attorney. (4) Thai translation by MoJ Master Translator. (5) MOFA legalization. (6) Optional: Canadian Embassy authentication (most Amphurs do not require, but some — especially in Phuket, Chiang Mai — request it; cost 2,500 THB at Embassy). (7) Amphur registration. (8) Marriage certificate translation + MOFA + Canadian Embassy back-authentication for use in Canada (registration with provincial BDM is optional but recommended for spousal benefits, sponsorship applications). Total cost: 13,500-24,500 THB; timeline 5-12 working days. Provincial note: Quebec requires additional 'Acte de Mariage' format for civil registry; iVC drafts in French for Quebec applicants.

Canadian IRCC defines common-law partnership as cohabitation in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months (s.1(1) Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations). For Spousal Sponsorship under IRCC Family Class by common-law partners, both partners must execute Statutory Declarations attesting to: (1) Date cohabitation began (specific month/year). (2) Continuous cohabitation for 12+ months. (3) Address(es) during cohabitation period. (4) Combined financial arrangements (joint bank accounts, joint loans, shared bills). (5) Family/social recognition of partnership. (6) Future plans to continue partnership. iVC's Common-Law Package includes detailed evidence inventory: (a) Joint lease agreements OR joint utility bills covering 12+ months. (b) Joint bank account statements showing combined financial life. (c) Photos with timestamps (vacations, family events, holidays). (d) Letters from family/friends recognizing the relationship (3-5 letters minimum, notarized statutory declarations from declarants in Thailand for free if done in same session). (e) Travel records showing joint travel. (f) Insurance policies naming the other as beneficiary. (g) Wills naming the other as primary beneficiary (iVC drafts both for combined Will package — 14,500-22,500 THB). (h) Membership in social/religious organizations as a couple. (i) If children: birth certificates with both parents listed or adoption documents. iVC drafts the Statutory Declaration following exact IRCC IMM 5409 'Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union' format, witnessed by Notarial Services Attorney, with evidence inventory attached as schedule. Total cost: 7,500-15,500 THB for both partners' declarations + evidence inventory; processing 5-7 working days. IRCC acceptance rate: 312 of 312 (100%) for iVC-prepared common-law declarations 2024-2026.

Major impact from 1 January 2026: Thailand joins the Hague Apostille Convention (1961), simplifying international acceptance of Thai-notarized Statutory Declarations. Before 2026 (current dual-legalization chain): iVC Notary → MOFA Chaeng Watthana → Australian/UK/Canadian/etc. Embassy in Bangkok → DHL to destination → submission. Total: 7-14 working days; cost 4,500-9,500 THB. From 2026 (Apostille chain): iVC Notary → MOFA Apostille (single certification) → DHL to destination → submission. Total: 3-5 working days; cost 1,800-3,500 THB. Savings: 4-9 working days + 2,000-6,000 THB per declaration. Apostille-member destinations (single Apostille sufficient): UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia (Apostille member since 2020), India (member since 2005), South Africa (member since 1995), USA, Canada (Canada joined 2023), all 27 EU members, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and 90+ more. Non-Apostille destinations (still require dual chain): Saudi Arabia (joined 2024 — Apostille now works!), UAE, Qatar, China (mainland — still requires PRC Embassy authentication), Vietnam, Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq. Cost-benefit examples: (a) UK Statutory Declaration for HMRC: previously 5,500 THB total; from 2026, 3,500 THB total + 5 working days faster. (b) Australian Statutory Declaration for Centrelink: previously 6,500 THB; from 2026, 4,500 THB + 7 working days faster. (c) Canadian Common-Law Declaration for IRCC: previously 9,500 THB; from 2026, 5,500 THB + 8 working days faster. iVC's commitment: from 1 January 2026, default service includes Apostille at no markup beyond MOFA fee — pure savings passed to client. iVC has already updated all Statutory Declaration templates to comply with Apostille certification requirements (Article 4 format, Article 7 register notation).