Statements of truth (PG73)
Information about the use of statements of truth in support of applications to HM Land Registry (practice guide 73).
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
This guide gives information about the use of statements of truth in support of applications to HM Land Registry. It does not purport to give guidance on the use of statements of truth for any other purpose.
It is aimed at members of the public, companies, local authorities, other corporate bodies and conveyancers, and you should interpret references to ‘you’ accordingly. HM Land Registry staff will also refer to it.
We only provide factual information and impartial advice about our procedures. Read more about the advice we give.
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Updates to this page
Published 31 January 2011Last updated 9 December 2024 + show all updates
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We have made a minor amendment to section 3 to clarify that in some cases a simple electronic signature may be used to sign a statement of truth, as set out in practice guide 82: electronic signatures accepted by HM Land Registry.
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Section 1 has been amended as we no longer accept applications for first registration based entirely on copy deeds and documents.
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Section 2 has been amended to highlight that the statement of truth forms ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 and ST5 should not be used for any application type other than the one it is designed for.
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Section 3 has been updated to clarify that while rule 215A of the Land Registration Rules 2003 does not require a statement of truth to be dated, the registrar has the power to request this (pursuant to rule 17).
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Sections 3 and 4 have been amended to correct conflicting guidance and to confirm when a statement of truth can be signed using the Mercury signing method or by way of a conveyancer-certified electronic signature.
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Section 3 has been amended as a result of the introduction of new practice guide 82: electronic signatures accepted by HM Land Registry.
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Section 3 has been amended to set out the steps to be followed when a statement of truth is signed using either Mercury signing (section 3.1) or an electronic signing platform (section 3.2).
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Section 1 has been amended to clarify what we will do if the statement of truth or statutory declaration contains errors or omissions.
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Section 3 has been amended to confirm the signature to a statement of truth must be in wet ink. This is not a change in practice.
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Section 5 has been amended to clarify our existing requirements for the date of a statement of truth.
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Section 1 has been updated to reflect our current practice relating to the use of copy documents for an application for first registration.
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The guide had been amended to refer to a new form ST5 created to support applications to cancel Form A restrictions. Link to the advice we offer added.
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Welsh translation added.
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First published.