Uniform unsworn declarations act
Wis. Stat. § 887.015
in effect(1) Short title. This section may be cited as the Uniform Unsworn Declarations Act.
(2) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Boundaries of the United States” means the geographic boundaries of the United States, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(b) “Law” includes a statute, a judicial decision or order, a rule of court, an executive order, or an administrative rule, regulation, or order.
(c) “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(d) “Sign” means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record, either of the following:
1. To execute or adopt a tangible symbol.
2. To attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound, or process.
(f) “Sworn declaration” means a declaration in a signed record given under oath. “Sworn declaration” includes a sworn statement, verification, certificate, or affidavit.
(g) “Unsworn declaration” means a declaration in a signed record that is not given under oath, but is given under penalty of false swearing.
(3) Applicability. This section applies to an unsworn declaration by a declarant who at the time of making the declaration is physically located within or outside the boundaries of the United States, whether or not the location is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(4) Validity of unsworn declarations.
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), and notwithstanding s. 906.03, if a law of this state requires or permits use of a sworn declaration, an unsworn declaration meeting the requirements of this section has the same effect as a sworn declaration.
(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:
1. A deposition.
2. An oath of office.
3. An oath required to be given before a specified official other than a notary public.
4. A declaration to be recorded pursuant to s. 706.06 or 706.25 or ch. 140.
5. An oath required under s. 853.04.
(5) Required medium. If a law of this state requires that a sworn declaration be presented in a particular medium, an unsworn declaration must be presented in that medium.
(6) Form of unsworn declaration. An unsworn declaration under this section shall be in substantially the following form:
(7) Uniformity of application and construction. In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among the states that enact it.
(8) Relation to electronic signatures in global and national commerce act.
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), this section modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 USC 7001, et seq.
(b) This section does not modify, limit, or supersede 15 USC 7001 (c) or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in 15 USC 7003 (b).
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/887.015Fetched: 10/7/2026