Commissioner for Oaths

Information

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. He/she is appointed by the Chief Justice and is usually, though not always, a solicitor.

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

• you are giving evidence on affidavit for court proceedings in Ireland.
• you are making an affirmation, declaration, acknowledgment, examination or attestation for the purposes of court proceedings.
• you are making a declaration for the purposes of the transfer of property or registration of ownership.
• you are completing a statutory declaration to obtain a Passport.

Functions of a Commissioner for Oaths

The essential functions of a Commissioner for Oaths are:

• to make sure that the evidence is in written form (the draft affidavit).
• to establish that the person before him/her has read the draft affidavit and understands the contents.
• to require the person to swear that the affidavit is true.
• to verify that the affidavit was properly sworn by completing a “jurat” i.e. a written confirmation of the swearing, on the affidavit.
• To establish the identity of the person signing the affidavit by requesting sight of a current passport, current driving licence, or some other current photo I.D.

Oaths and Affirmations

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 does not wish to being sworn on the grounds that taking an oath is against his/her religious belief is permitted to make a solemn affirmation 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.”

Fees

€10.00 per signature plus €2 per signature on exhibits e.g. marriage cert or birth cert.

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