How Much Does It Cost to Get a Statutory Declaration Witnessed?
The only cost in filing a PE3 is getting it sworn. Here is what each route actually costs, including the free one.
Last updated 13 November 2026
How much does it cost to get a statutory declaration witnessed?
TEC guidance says swearing a PE3 is free at most county court hearing centres, by appointment. A solicitor or other Commissioner for Oaths charges the fee set by law: £5 per person making the declaration, plus £2 for each exhibit. Our booked service is £49.
Those are the real options. The rest of this page explains what each route involves, so you can pick the one that suits your time and circumstances.
First, check you need a witness at all. Since October 2026 the Traffic Enforcement Centre uses a TE13 for parking PCNs, moving traffic contraventions outside London, and Dart Charge, Mersey Gateway or clean air zone PCNs. A TE13 is signed with a statement of truth and needs no witness, so there is nothing to pay for. Parking Ticket Pal at parkingticketpal.com can help with that. Only a PE3 needs to be sworn.
Do I need to pay anyone for the TE14?
No. If you are filing late or need more time, you send a TE14 with your PE3. The TE14 is signed with a statement of truth and needs no witness, so there is no witnessing fee for it.
Before October 2026, late filers used a PE2. That form has been replaced by the TE14, so there is now only one declaration to swear: the PE3.
Getting the PE3 sworn correctly matters. The TEC will not process a PE3 that has not been properly made before an authorised person, and if your PE3 succeeds the Order for Recovery is withdrawn.
Why is the solicitor fee only £5?
The fee is prescribed by the Commissioners for Oaths (Fees) Order 1993 (SI 1993/2297): £5 for each person making the declaration, plus £2 for each exhibit that has to be marked. It is a fixed fee for taking the declaration.
That fee covers the witnessing itself. It does not include help completing the form, and a solicitor you find yourself will not necessarily check that you have the right form or that your grounds are complete.
You also have to find a firm that offers it at a time you can make. Not every firm does, so this route can mean phoning round while the deadline gets closer.
What about the county court or online services?
TEC guidance says swearing a PE3 is free at most county court hearing centres, by appointment. That is the cheapest route, and it is a fully valid one.
The trade-off is convenience. You need to book, travel to the court with your original printed form, and attend during court hours.
Online witnessing services exist for general statutory declarations. For a PE3, the safe route is an in-person declaration with the original form in front of the witness, because acceptance of a remotely witnessed PE3 is not clearly established.
Why is our service £49, and what does that include?
Our £49 covers a booked, in-person appointment with a qualified solicitor and Commissioner for Oaths, subject to availability, and a check that your PE3 is filled in correctly before you swear it.
Before you sign anything, the form is checked so the right grounds are completed and, if you are late, that you have a TE14 to go with it. Then the PE3 is sworn in person with the original printed form. You sign in front of the witness, which is what makes it valid.
The witness is a qualified solicitor and Commissioner for Oaths in Crystal Palace, London. Appointments usually take around ten minutes. If you would rather use the free county court route, that is a perfectly good option too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a PE3 sworn for free?
Yes. TEC guidance says swearing a PE3 is free at most county court hearing centres, by appointment. You need to book, travel there with your printed form and attend during court hours.
Is the £5 statutory declaration fee real?
Yes. The Commissioners for Oaths (Fees) Order 1993 sets the fee at £5 per person making the declaration plus £2 per exhibit. It covers taking the declaration, not help completing the form.
Do I pay to have a TE13 or TE14 witnessed?
No. A TE13 and a TE14 are signed with a statement of truth and need no witness. Only a PE3 has to be sworn before an authorised person.
What does the £49 service include?
A booked, in-person appointment with a qualified solicitor and Commissioner for Oaths, subject to availability, and a check that your PE3 is correct before you swear it.
I have a parking ticket, do I need to pay for a witness?
No. Since October 2026 parking PCNs use a TE13, which needs no witness, so there is nothing to pay for. If your Order for Recovery names an old form, use its replacement, and use Parking Ticket Pal at parkingticketpal.com for a TE13.