HB29 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Marcel Black
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Civil practice, Uniform Unsworn Foreign Declarations Act, adopted, use of unsworn declarations under certain conditions if declarant is outside of United States
Summary: HB29 creates the Alabama Uniform Unsworn Foreign Declarations Act, letting people outside the U.S. sign unsworn declarations under penalty of perjury that have the same effect as sworn declarations under Alabama law.
What This Bill Does
It applies to unsworn declarations made while the declarant is physically outside the United States. If a law requires a sworn declaration, this act allows an unsworn declaration that meets its rules to count the same as a sworn one, with several exceptions (like depositions or oaths of office). It also defines key terms, sets how the declaration must be presented in the required medium, and provides a standard form. The act coordinates with federal rules on electronic signatures and has an effective date of January 1, 2012.

Who It Affects
Declarants located outside the United States who need to provide declarations for Alabama law, since their unsworn declarations under penalty of perjury can count as sworn declarations.
Alabama courts, state agencies, and other parties who rely on declarations to satisfy legal requirements, as they would treat qualifying unsworn declarations the same as sworn ones.

Key Provisions
Adds Subdivision 3.5 to establish the Alabama Uniform Unsworn Foreign Declarations Act and defines key terms such as boundaries of the United States, unsworn declaration, and record.
Applies to declarations made when the declarant is outside U.S. boundaries, with exclusions for declarations made on U.S. soil in certain contexts.
Provides that, with specified exceptions, an unsworn declaration has the same effect as a sworn declaration under Alabama law if the law requires or permits a sworn declaration, and sets medium requirements when the law specifies a medium.
Includes the form requirements for unsworn declarations, promotes uniform application, addresses relation to the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, and establishes an effective date of January 1, 2012.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Civil Procedure