Declaration of Trust Template
What is a declaration of trust?
A declaration of trust, also known as a nominee declaration, is a document that transfers
assets from the legal owner to be held in trust, where the legal owner retains all rights and can
terminate the agreement at any time.
I, the undersigned [NOMINEE], of [NOMINEE ADDRESS] (the “Nominee”) do hereby
acknowledge and declare that I hold all those assets listed in the annexed Schedule 1 (the
“Assets”) registered in our name as nominee of and trustee for and on behalf of
[BENEFICIARY] of [BENEFICIARY ADDRESS] (the “Beneficiary”).
I hereby irrevocably undertake not to transfer, deal with or dispose of the Assets save as the
Beneficiary may from time to time direct in writing or at the direction of his executors.
I hereby irrevocably assign to the Beneficiary the right to receive any and all benefit from the
Assets including all rights to income of any sort which may be receivable from the Assets
from time to time and all other rights including rights to capital and voting rights.
I hereby declare that with the exception of the obligation to hold and dispose of the Assets and
its income only at the direction of the Beneficiary I have otherwise received the Assets free
from any and all obligations including but not limited to the payment of unpaid capital (if
any) and the payment of taxes which shall remain the exclusive obligation of the Beneficiary.
PandaTip: This declaration of trust template — also known as a mandatory declaration or a
nominee declaration — is suitable for use only where a nominee (or mandatory) is holding
shares (or some other asset) in name only for someone else (the beneficiary). In a nominee
arrangement the legal owner has no rights whatsoever over the assets he holds or their income
and he cannot act without instruction from the legal owner. Also, the legal owner can
terminate the relationship at any point and is also absolutely entitled to all benefits arising
from assets. This template declaration of trust is not suitable for the creation of a
discretionary trust, in which case you should use our trust deed template.
I hereby expressly and irrevocably undertake that on receipt of written instruction from the
Beneficiary I will promptly transfer the legal title of Assets to the Beneficiary or to any other
third-party as he may direct.
I further undertake not to conduct or present myself to any third-party as the beneficial owner
of the Assets nor to cause or allow any charge, lien or mortgage over the Assets save at the
express instruction of the Beneficiary in writing.
I expressly declare that all the above undertakings are made irrevocably and that save for the
legal title I have absolutely no interest in or rights over the Assets.
Dated this [DATE] day of [MONTH], [YEAR].
Signed, [NOMINEE]
SCHEDULE 1
[SCHEDULE 1]
PandaTip: List all the assets that will be held by the nominee here in as much detail as
possible. For example: 500 Shares of 1 USD each in ABC Corporation Ltd a company
incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 12345C and having its registered
office at Fourteenth Floor, Office Towers, Main Street, London, UK.
