Delaware Uniform Unsworn Foreign Declarations Act

Del. Code tit. 10, ch. 53A
in effect

Del. Code tit. 10, § 5352 Definitions.

In this chapter: (1) “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. (2) “Law” includes the federal or a state constitution, a federal or state statute, a judicial decision or order, a rule of court, an executive order, and an administrative rule, regulation, or order. (3) “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. (4) “Sign” means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record: a. To execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or b. To attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound, or process. (5) “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. (6) “Sworn declaration” means a declaration in a signed record given under oath. The term includes a sworn statement, verification, certificate, and affidavit. (7) “Unsworn declaration” means a declaration in a signed record that is not given under oath, but is given under penalty of perjury.

Del. Code tit. 10, § 5353 Applicability.

This chapter applies to an unsworn declaration by a declarant who at the time of making the declaration is physically located outside the boundaries of the United States whether or not the location is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. This chapter does not apply to a declaration by a declarant who is physically located on property that is within the boundaries of the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of another country or a federally recognized Indian tribe.

Del. Code tit. 10, § 5354 Validity of unsworn declaration.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, if a law of this State requires or permits use of a sworn declaration, an unsworn declaration meeting the requirements of this chapter has the same effect as a sworn declaration. (b) This chapter does not apply to: (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 Title 25; or (5) An acknowledgement or affidavit required by § 1305 of Title 12.

Del. Code tit. 10, § 5355 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.

Del. Code tit. 10, § 5356 Form of unsworn declaration.

An unsworn declaration under this chapter must be in substantially the following form: I declare under penalty of perjury under the law of Delaware that the foregoing is true and correct, and that I am physically located outside 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. Executed on the ________ day of ________________ (month), ________ (year), at ________________________________ (city or other location, and state), ________________________________ (country). ________________________________________________________________ (printed name) ________________________________________________________________ (signature)

Del. Code tit. 10, § 5357 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 states that enact it.

Del. Code tit. 10, § 5358 Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.

This chapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede § 101(c) of that Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in § 103(b) of that Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7003(b).
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title10/c053a/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026