Help users to Make a declaration

Help users to tell you that they have understood or agree to something before they submit an application or an online form. This is known as a ‘declaration’.

Open this declaration pattern example in a new tab

Declaration

By sending the application you agree that the information you have given is complete and correct. If you deliberately give the wrong or incomplete information, or you do not report any changes, you may:

  • be prosecuted
  • need to pay a financial penalty
  • need to pay back any money you are overpaid if you are asked to
<div class="govuk-width-container">
<h1 class="govuk-heading-l">Declaration</h1>
<p class="govuk-body">
By sending the application you agree that the information you have given is complete and correct.
If you deliberately give the wrong or incomplete information, or you do not report any changes, you may:
</p>
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>be prosecuted</li>
<li>need to pay a financial penalty</li>
<li>need to pay back any money you are overpaid if you are asked to</li>
</ul>
<button type="submit" class="govuk-button" data-module="govuk-button">
I agree – send my application
</button>
</div>
{% from "govuk/components/button/macro.njk" import govukButton %}

<div class="govuk-width-container">
<h1 class="govuk-heading-l">Declaration</h1>
<p class="govuk-body">
    By sending the application you agree that the information you have given is complete and correct.
    If you deliberately give the wrong or incomplete information, or you do not report any changes, you may:
</p>
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
    <li>be prosecuted</li>
    <li>need to pay a financial penalty</li>
    <li>need to pay back any money you are overpaid if you are asked to</li>
</ul>

{{ 
    govukButton({
        text: "I agree – send my application"
    })
}}
</div>

When to use this pattern

You should use the declaration pattern when you need a user to confirm that they have understood the information they have been given or you need them to agree to something.

You should use this pattern if there are significant consequences to the user if they provide false information when using your service.

It should also be used if using your service could alter the user’s quality of life. For example, if applying for a benefit might reduce other support they may be receiving.

When not to use this pattern

Do not use this pattern to give users complex or complicated information about policy or legislation.

How it works

The content should be clear and concise. The declaration should be tailored to the service and include information about what will happen if the user makes a false declaration.

Research

This pattern has been used in a number of DWP services.

The pattern has been amended by some services to:

  • include a tick box
  • include Yes/No radio options
  • include the declaration content at the bottom of a ‘Check your answers’ page

Examples of these can be seen on the Apply for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance and Apply for Pension Credit services.

More research is needed on the pattern to validate the need for any changes to the pattern.

You can help to improve this pattern by:

Get in touch

If you’ve got a question, idea or suggestion email the Design System team on dwp-design-system@engineering.digital.dwp.gov.uk