No products in the basket.
Commissioner of Oaths South Africa: Where to Find One
If you have ever applied for a job, opened a bank account or submitted documents to Home Affairs, you have probably been asked to have a form signed by a commissioner of oaths. Yet most people are not sure who these officials are, where to find one, or what it should cost. The short answer: a commissioner of oaths is someone authorised by law to witness signatures on sworn documents and certify copies, and the service is free.
This guide explains exactly what a commissioner of oaths does in South Africa, who qualifies as one, where to find the nearest one, and how to become one yourself. If you simply need to confirm that a 13-digit South African ID number is structurally valid, you can do that in seconds with our free ID number validator — no commissioner required.
What is a commissioner of oaths?
A commissioner of oaths is a person appointed under the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act 16 of 1963 to administer oaths and affirmations, take sworn statements, and certify that a copy of a document is a true copy of the original. When you sign an affidavit in front of a commissioner, you are formally swearing that its contents are true; the commissioner then signs, dates and stamps the document to confirm the oath was properly administered.
Commissioners do not give legal advice and they cannot vouch for whether the contents of your statement are actually true. Their role is narrower: to confirm your identity, witness your signature, and certify the formalities.
What can a commissioner of oaths do?
A commissioner of oaths has three core powers:
- Administer oaths and affirmations — for example, witnessing the swearing of an affidavit or a solemn declaration.
- Take affidavits and sworn declarations — putting a written statement under oath so it can be used as evidence or to support an official application.
- Certify copies of documents — confirming that a photocopy, such as a certified copy of your ID, is a true reproduction of the original.
These functions come up constantly in everyday admin: FICA verification at banks, visa and Home Affairs applications, an affidavit for a lost ID, and proof-of-residence statements all rely on a commissioner's stamp.
Is a commissioner of oaths free?
Yes. By law a commissioner of oaths may not charge a fee for administering an oath, taking an affidavit or certifying a copy. Any police station, most bank branches and every Post Office will commission documents at no cost. Practising attorneys are also commissioners of oaths, and while the commissioning itself is free, a law firm may charge for related professional work if you ask them to draft the document for you.
Who can be a commissioner of oaths in South Africa?
Two groups hold the designation. The first are ex officio commissioners — people who automatically qualify by virtue of the office they hold. The second are individuals appointed in their personal capacity by the Minister of Justice. Common ex officio commissioners include:
- Commissioned police officers and any SAPS member in charge of a police station
- Practising attorneys, advocates and notaries
- Bank managers and certain banking officials
- Postmasters and Post Office branch officials
- Principals of schools and heads of educational institutions
- Municipal councillors and designated municipal officials
- Members of professional bodies such as SAICA, SAIPA and the Compliance Institute
You can see the full list in the official designation of commissioners of oaths. This breadth is why you can usually have a document commissioned quickly at a place near you, without an appointment.
Where to find a commissioner of oaths near you
You do not need to track down a specialist. The most reliable places to find a free commissioner of oaths are:
- Your nearest SAPS police station — open 24 hours, and the most common option after hours.
- A bank branch — ask at the enquiries desk; most managers are commissioners.
- The Post Office — postmasters can commission documents and certify copies.
- An attorney's office — every practising attorney is a commissioner of oaths.
- Your municipal offices — councillors and designated officials qualify.
Always bring the original document as well as the copy if you need certification, plus your own ID. The commissioner must watch you sign in person — they cannot commission a document you have already signed elsewhere.
How to become a commissioner of oaths
There are two routes:
1. Ex officio (automatic) designation. If you hold an office or belong to a profession that the Minister of Justice has designated, you become a commissioner automatically. Many professional bodies — including SAICA, SAIPA and the Compliance Institute — confer the status on qualifying members.
2. Personal application to the Department of Justice. If you do not qualify ex officio, you can apply in your personal capacity to the Director-General of Justice. You must be at least 18 years old and a South African citizen, and submit:
- A completed application form
- A certified copy of your ID
- A motivation letter from your employer explaining why the appointment is needed (for example, a clinic or NGO that regularly handles sworn documents)
Applications are handed in at your nearest Magistrate's Office, and you can download the forms and guidelines from the Department of Justice. Appointments are usually tied to a specific area of jurisdiction and the position you hold.
Commissioner of oaths vs notary vs certifying a copy
These roles overlap and are easy to confuse:
- A commissioner of oaths witnesses oaths and certifies copies for use within South Africa — free of charge.
- A notary public is a specially admitted attorney who authenticates documents for use abroad, often a step before an apostille. This is a paid, specialist service.
- Having a certified copy of your ID made is a subset of what a commissioner does — the commissioner stamps the copy as a "true copy of the original".
For everyday South African admin, a commissioner of oaths is almost always what you need.
Frequently asked questions
Can I certify my own documents as a commissioner of oaths?
No. Even a serving commissioner may not commission or certify their own documents, or any document in which they have an interest. You must always use an independent commissioner.
Is a police station a commissioner of oaths?
A police station is not itself a commissioner, but the SAPS officers on duty are. Any commissioned officer, or the member in charge of the station, can commission your documents free of charge, around the clock.
How much does a commissioner of oaths cost?
Nothing. By law commissioners may not charge for administering oaths or certifying copies. Be cautious of anyone who demands a fee for the commissioning itself.
Can a family member commission my affidavit?
No. A commissioner must be independent and may not have any interest in the matter, so a relative — even one who is a commissioner — should not commission your affidavit.
Where can I get a commissioner of oaths stamp?
Only appointed commissioners may use an official stamp. Stamp-makers will ask for proof of your designation, such as your ex officio status or letter of appointment, before producing one.
Do I need my ID to see a commissioner of oaths?
Yes. The commissioner must confirm your identity before administering an oath, so bring your green ID book or smart ID card, along with the original of any document you need certified.
A commissioner of oaths is one of the most useful free services in South Africa — once you know that almost every police station, bank and Post Office has one. Whenever a form says "sign in the presence of a commissioner of oaths", you now know exactly where to go and what it should cost.
And if your admin involves checking that an ID number is genuine before you submit it, our free South African ID validator confirms the structure of any 13-digit ID in seconds. You can also read our guide to the South African ID number format to understand what each digit means.