déclarer

A very common verb for "to declare" or "to state" — used for emotional declarations (déclarer sa flamme), official and legal statements (déclarer ses revenus, déclarer la guerre), and customs (avez-vous quelque chose à déclarer ?). Déclarer que is followed by the indicative, since it asserts something as fact.

• Il lui a déclaré son amour devant tout le monde. — He declared his love for her in front of everyone.
• Chaque année, il faut déclarer ses revenus avant la date limite. — Every year, you have to declare your income before the deadline.
• Avez-vous quelque chose à déclarer à la douane ? — Do you have anything to declare at customs?

Déclarer que is one of the "verbs of certainty" that take the indicative, not the subjunctive, in the following clause — since declaring something presents it as an established fact, not a doubt or wish.

• expression Je vous déclare unis par les liens du mariage — The traditional closing formula spoken by the mayor (or deputy) officiating a French civil wedding ceremony, often preceded by "Au nom de la loi" or "Au nom du peuple français."