Declaration has different meanings depending on the context of the situation. Generally, declaration is used to denote a formal statement of fact. For example, when individuals sign a declaration attesting to their identity for official purposes, they are making a formal statement that they are who they claim to be. This statement is legally-binding. Similarly, in a contract, a declaration is a statement of the conditions, terms or specifications that are made by one or both parties in a contract.
In the legal world, declaration can also refer to a judicial process that brings a lawsuit in front of a court or judge. This can be a formal document that is filled out and signed to initiate a legal claim, or it can refer to the verbal testimony of a witness or victim. Declaration can also refer to a document that is filed in a court of law to provide evidence of facts such as a death, birth, or marriage.
Whatever the use, declaration usually denotes a formal statement of fact that is legally-binding. As such, it is important to understand what is required of you when a declaration is requested. Whether you are making a declaration to prove your identity, regarding a lawsuit, filing a document in a court of law, or simply entering into a contract, it is important to understand the gravity of any declaration that you make as it can have significant legal repercussions.