Commissioners for Oaths

                                                                                                  





A Commissioner for Oaths

The lawyers of our firm are Commissioners for Oaths under the Commissioner for Oaths Act 1889. 
 
A Commissioner for Oaths is a person who is authorised to verify affidavits, which are statements in writing and on oath, and other legal documents.

A Commissioner for Oaths is appointed by the Courts of Justice  and is  a Solicitor or Notary Public . Every Solicitor or Notary Public holding a current practising certificate is entitled to administer oaths and to use the title "Commissioner for Oaths". A Commissioner for Oaths may continue to act as a Commissioner for Oaths for as long as he/she remains a Solicitor or Notary Public.

You may need the services of a Commissioner for Oaths if:

  • you are giving evidence on affidavit for court proceedings in England
  • you are making an affirmation, declaration, acknowledgement, examination or attestation for the purposes of court proceedings or for the purposes of registration of documents

The Functions of a Commissioner for Oaths

The essential functions of a Commissioner for Oaths are:

  • to make sure that the evidence in question is in written form (the draft affidavit)
  • to establish that the person before him/her has read the draft affidavit and fully understands the contents
  • to require the person to swear that the affidavit is true by raising the appropriate Testament in the right hand and repeating the words of the oath
  • to verify that the affidavit was properly sworn by completing a "jurat" on the affidavit
  • to charge a fee for his/her services.

Rules

Oaths and Affirmations

A person making an oath will be required to swear the oath by raising the New Testament. A person who is Jewish may swear the oath by raising the Old Testament. It's important to remember that you may also be required to provide evidence of your identity by the Commissioner particularly if you are having an affadavit verified (but this largely depends on the type of documents that is being verified). It is useful however to bring a standard form of identification with you on your visit, (a passport, driving licence, social welfare book, student I.D. card, etc.).

The oath to be taken by persons before the Commissioner for Oaths is as follows

"I swear by Almighty God that this is my name and handwriting, and that the contents of this my affidavit are true".

A person who objects to being sworn on the grounds that taking an oath is against his/her religious belief or that he/she has no religious belief is permitted to make a solemn affirmation, which is phrased as follows:

"I, A.B., do solemnly and sincerely affirm that this is my name and handwriting, and that the contents of this my affidavit are true".

How to apply


For more information concerning our Commissioners for Oaths Services,  please either ring + 44 (0) 20 3178 5780  or complete our online enquiry form.


The international legal practice of Lowry LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership being registered in England and Wales, with registration number OC351289 and whose registered office is situated at 9 Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate, The City of London EC2M 4YF, England, where a list of members is open to inspection.  The term "Partner" means 'Member" of Lowry LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications. The firm are regulated by The Court of Faculties, 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JT, England and by the Legal Ombudsman for England and Wales, P.O. Box 15870, Tamworth, B77 9LE, England.  Value Added Tax Registration Number 125 2760 31. The firm are members of the International Bar Association, are members of the International Business Lawyers Group, are members of the Asociacion Europea de Abogadas International Lawyers Network, are members of the Ecclesiastical Law Society of England  and are members of The Notaries Society of England and Wales. http://www.lowryllp.com http://www.notaryengland.co.uk Notary Public, Public Notary, Notaries. Apostilles, Powers of Attorney, Certified copies of passports and Commissioners for Oaths.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAQI36xq-TE. Telephone:  +44(0)020 3178 5780.