---
title: Node Provider Self-declaration
slug: node-provider-self-declaration
description: The identity declaration and good-faith statement a prospective node provider files before the NNS votes on their onboarding proposal.
tags:
  - node-provider
  - onboarding
  - legal
  - governance
date: 2026-05-04
related:
  - node-provider-documentation
  - node-provider-onboarding
  - node-provider-legal-guide
  - node-provider-roadmap
---

A *self-declaration* is the document a prospective node provider files
to declare their real-world identity, confirm fit with the published
hardware requirements, and commit to honest operation of their
machines. The Network Nervous System (NNS) uses it — together with
proof of identity — when voting on whether to accept the provider.

In a fully decentralized network, provider onboarding is managed
entirely through the NNS. There is no contract with DFINITY; the
self-declaration is the artefact the community votes against.

## What the declaration covers

The document records:

- **Identity.** Entity name, representative details, and physical
  location.
- **Hardware compliance.** A guarantee that the machines being
  onboarded match the published specification.
- **Good-faith statement.** An acknowledgement of potential liability
  for damages, and an explicit acknowledgement that deliberate
  interference with nodes can constitute criminal activity in some
  jurisdictions.

Alongside the declaration, the candidate supplies **proof that the
identity (or identities) listed in the declaration exist in the real
world**, in a form acceptable to the community.

## Process

1. **Prepare the documents.** Draft the self-declaration and gather
   the identity proofs. Compute a SHA-256 hash of each file.
2. **Upload to the wiki.** The artefacts go on the public node-provider
   self-declarations page so they are inspectable.
3. **Submit the NNS proposal.** The proposal references the uploaded
   files and embeds their hashes — see
   [Node Provider Onboarding](/wiki/node-provider-onboarding/) for the
   `ic-admin` command and required summary fields.
4. **Community vote.** Token-holders evaluate the declaration and
   identity proofs and vote on acceptance.

> [!NOTE]
> The exact required contents of the self-declaration have historically
> been a community draft, refined as the NNS settled on its
> requirements. Confirm the current expectations on the developer
> forum before drafting.

## Related

- [Node Provider Documentation](/wiki/node-provider-documentation/)
- [Node Provider Onboarding](/wiki/node-provider-onboarding/)
- [Node Provider Legal Guide](/wiki/node-provider-legal-guide/)
- [Node Provider Roadmap](/wiki/node-provider-roadmap/)