Model of an instrument of ratification [acceptance or approval]

WHEREAS the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was adopted at Rome on 17 July 1998,

AND WHEREAS the said statute has been signed on behalf of the Government of [name of State] on [date],

NOW THEREFORE I, [name and title of the head of State, head of Government or minister for foreign affairs], declare that the Government of [name of State], having considered the above mentioned statute, ratifies [accepts or approves] the same and undertakes faithfully to perform and carry out the stipulations therein contained.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have signed this instrument of ratification at [place] on [date].

[Signature] + [Seal]

WHEREAS the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was adopted at Rome on 17 July 1998,

NOW THEREFORE I, [name and title of the head of State, head of Government or minister for foreign affairs], declare that the Government of [name of State], having considered the above mentioned statute, accedes to the same and undertakes faithfully to perform and carry out the stipulations therein contained.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have signed this instrument of accession at [place] on [date].


[Signature] + [Seal]

To be sent to:
Mr Secretary-General
United Nations Headquarters
Secretariat Building
New York, N.Y. 10017
United States of America

N.B.: In order to give the widest scope of operation to the Court and best support the ideals conveyed by the Statute, the ICRC encourage States NOT to accompany their instruments of ratification or accession with a declaration under Article 124 of the Statute. This article permits a State, on becoming a party to the Statute, to declare that it does not accept the jurisdiction of the Court in respect to war crimes alleged to have been committed by its nationals or on its territory (for a period of seven years after the Statute enters into force for that State).