A Commissioner for Oaths witnesses what you sign. He ensures that you sign it in person. Those who see his stamp have peace of mind.
A Commissioner for Oaths has to read the document to ensure that it is something that you can sign.
A Commissioner for Oaths will ask you if you understand what you are signing.
The fees chargeable are stated in the Second Schedule of the Commissioner for Oaths Rules 2018.
The powers of Commissioners for Oaths are stated in rule 9(1) of the Commissioners For Oaths Rules, 2018.
Rule 11 applies to Commissioners for Oaths who are lawyers.
11. Advocate and solicitor
Subject to any limitation expressed in his appointment, an advocate and solicitor who when appointed as a Commissioner For Oaths may do all or any of the following:
- receive acknowledgements of married women in all cases where acknowledgements are required by law to be taken before a public officer;
- receive acknowledgements of recognizances of bail and bail-bonds;
- administer oaths for--
- the justification for bail;
- taking any affidavit or affirmation;
- receiving and taking the answer, plea, demurrer, disclaimer, allegation or examination of any party or parties to any action;
- the examination of any witnesses upon any interrogatories or de bene esse or in chief or on any other occasion;
- swearing executors and administrators; and
- swearing persons in any action, matter or proceeding which is pending or about to be instituted in any court; and
- take and receive statutory declarations.
Rule 14(1) of the Commissioners For Oaths Rules, 2018, requires the customer to sign a register (record book).
You have to sign a form that records your name, I/C no. and details of documents which you signed. Please co-operate with the statutory requirement.
- A Commissioner for Oaths shall maintain a register in which shall be recorded the particulars of the services that he has rendered including all affirmations, declarations, acknowledgements, affidavits and other instruments upon which the Commissioner has placed his seal.
You can check the 2018 Rules here.