Quick answer: A commissioner for oaths (also called a commissioner of oaths) in Singapore is an official witness. You swear or affirm in front of them that your affidavit or statutory declaration is true. A board set up by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) appoints them. Every commissioner charges the same fixed fee: $25 per document plus $5 per exhibit for most papers.
Looking for a commissioner of oaths in Singapore? This guide shows who they are and what they cost. It also shows where to find one fast and what to bring.
What Is a Commissioner of Oaths in Singapore?
A commissioner for oaths (CFO) is an official witness. You sign your document in front of them. They then confirm that you swore or affirmed it.
To swear means to promise on a holy book that your words are true. To affirm means to make the same promise without a holy book. Both carry the same weight in law.
A CFO can be one of these people:
- A lawyer
- A court interpreter
- A government officer
- Another person the SAL board has approved, such as staff at some statutory boards
The CFO does not check if your facts are true. They check who you are. They also make sure you understand what you are signing.
Who Appoints a Commissioner for Oaths?
The Board of Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public appoints them. The SAL Senate sets up this Board. The Board picks new commissioners twice a year.
The Board has clear rules for who can apply:
| Applicant | Minimum experience | Minimum age |
|---|
| Lawyer | 10 years in legal practice or legal service | 35 |
| Non-lawyer (e.g. a public officer) | At least GCE “O” Levels, 1 year with the employer, plus an online test for first-time applicants | 25 |
A lawyer’s appointment only lasts while they hold a practising certificate. People with serious disciplinary records are usually turned down.
Many of the people we help are surprised by this. They think any lawyer can sign their affidavit, but only appointed ones can. Getting papers ready for a CFO? A translation team that handles sworn papers can check what must be in English first.
What a Commissioner Can Sign: Affidavits and Statutory Declarations
A CFO mainly handles two kinds of documents.
Affidavits
An affidavit is a written statement of facts that you swear or affirm. Courts use it as evidence. If you are writing one, read how to prepare an affidavit in Singapore first.
Statutory declarations
A statutory declaration is a written statement that something is true. It follows a set form in the Oaths and Declarations Act 2000. The person who makes it is called the declarant. Banks, agencies and courts may all ask for one.
Exhibits
An exhibit is a paper or item you attach to support what you say. Examples are a contract, a bank statement or a photo. The CFO marks each exhibit too.
Exhibits in Chinese, Thai or Arabic? Get Them in English Before You Swear
Commissioner for Oaths vs Notary Public
People often mix these two up. The key difference is where the document will be used.
| Point | Commissioner for oaths | Notary public |
|---|
| Main use | Documents for use in Singapore | Documents for use overseas |
| Typical papers | Affidavits and statutory declarations for local courts and agencies | Powers of attorney, certified copies, overseas affidavits |
| Who can be one | Lawyers, court interpreters, approved officers | Senior lawyers only (at least 15 years of practice and age 40) |
| SAL step after signing | Not needed | SAL must authenticate it, with an Apostille |
The courts say this clearly. A court CFO cannot sign documents meant for use overseas. A notary also cannot normally swear an affidavit for a Singapore court.
Still confused by the words “notarise” and “attest”? This guide on notarization vs attestation sets them side by side.
How to Find a Commissioner for Oaths Near You
You have three main options.
1. The SAL directory
SAL keeps an online directory of commissioners for oaths and notaries public at legalisation.sal.sg. Most private CFOs work in law firms. Pick one near your home or office.
Tips for a quick visit:
- Call ahead. Ask if the firm takes walk-ins. Some can see you the same day.
- Bring the document unsigned. You sign it in front of the CFO.
- Ask for the total fee. This avoids surprises at the counter.
2. The courts
The Supreme Court, State Courts and Family Justice Courts offer CFO services. These are only for documents used in those courts. For anything else, the courts tell you to use a private CFO from the SAL directory.
Court CFO services are by appointment only:
- Fill in the online request form (go.gov.sg/sgcourtscforequest).
- Book at least 2 working days ahead for an in-person visit.
- Wait for the email with your date and time.
- On the day, get a queue number at the Supreme Court or State Courts kiosk. At the Family Justice Courts, tell the counter staff you have an appointment.
3. Government agencies
Some ministries and statutory boards have their own CFOs. If an agency asks you for a declaration, ask about its own CFO first.
Commissioner of Oaths Singapore Fees
The fees are not free and not set by each commissioner. The Senate of SAL fixes them in the schedule to the Commissioners for Oaths Rules. All commissioners charge the same amounts.
For a lawyer who is a commissioner, the main fees are:
| Service | Fee |
|---|
| Affidavit or affirmation | $25 |
| Statutory declaration | $25 |
| Each exhibit | $5 |
The courts use the same kind of scale for court papers:
| Court | Document | Fee | Per exhibit |
|---|
| Supreme Court | Civil or criminal affidavit | $25 | $5 |
| Supreme Court | Bankruptcy affidavit | $5 | $1 |
| Supreme Court | Winding-up affidavit | $4 | $1 |
| State Courts | Magistrate’s Court affidavit | $10 | $5 |
| State Courts | District Court affidavit | $25 | $5 |
| State Courts | Harassment (POHA) affidavit | $10 | $5 |
| Family Justice Courts | Affidavit, statutory declaration and other listed papers | $25 | $5 |
Here is an example. A statutory declaration with 3 exhibits costs $25 + (3 x $5) = $40.
A commissioner may add a fair charge for travel, for reading the document to you, or for interpreting. Ask for the total before you go.
Statutory Declaration Needs Foreign Papers Attached? We Turn Them Into Clear, Accurate English
What to Bring and What Happens at the Appointment
Bring these items:
- Photo ID: NRIC for citizens and PRs, or a FIN card or passport for foreigners
- The unsigned document
- All exhibits, in order and ready to be marked
- An interpreter, if you need one for a language the CFO does not speak
Here is what happens next:
- The CFO checks your ID and your document.
- You pay the fee.
- You swear or affirm. You can swear on the holy book of your religion, or affirm without one.
- You sign in front of the CFO.
- The CFO signs, stamps and marks each exhibit.
Court interpreters can help in Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and local dialects. For any other language, you must bring a qualified interpreter yourself. Is a contract exhibit in Korean or Arabic? Plan for legal translation of contracts and letters a few days before the visit.
Can a Commissioner for Oaths Sign Documents Going Overseas?
Usually not. A CFO swears documents for use in Singapore. A paper going abroad normally needs a notary public, then SAL’s Apostille.
There is one catch. Some foreign offices accept a statutory declaration. SAL tells people to ask the receiving office whether it wants a CFO or a notary. Get that answer in writing.
When the overseas office also wants the paper in its own language, the order matters. The notary must see the finished translation. That is why translations sealed by a notary for foreign offices are done before the notary visit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the problems we see most often:
- Signing at home. You must sign in front of the CFO. A signed copy may be turned away.
- Using a court CFO for a private matter. Court CFOs only handle court documents.
- Using a CFO for an overseas document. That job needs a notary public.
- Missing exhibits. Every exhibit you mention must be attached and marked.
- Foreign-language papers with no English version. Documents used in court must be in English.
For court cases, the rules say a non-English document needs an English translation. It must be certified by a court interpreter or backed by the translator’s own affidavit. That is why lawyers often order exhibit translations certified for the judge before booking the CFO.
Documents in Another Language
Court interpreters only translate documents from Chinese, Malay and Tamil into English. They charge $45 per page and need at least 4 weeks. They may also turn down a request.
For Vietnamese, Burmese, Hindi, Korean and other languages, you need a private translator. The translator then swears an affidavit that the translation is correct. That affidavit goes before a CFO too.
A common case we see is a family with an overseas land title or school record. They need an English version for a Family Justice Courts affidavit. With a translator who can swear an affidavit, the translation and its affidavit can be ready that week.
Booked Your Commissioner Appointment? Get Every Non-English Exhibit Translated and Checked First
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swear my affidavit by video call?
Yes, the courts offer e-commissioning by Zoom for court documents. You must book at least 8 working days ahead and be in Singapore. You also need Singpass, a computer with Zoom, a smartphone and valid photo ID. You must be alone in the room.
Can my own lawyer act as my commissioner for oaths?
No. The courts say your own lawyer, or anyone in the same law firm, cannot commission your document. You need a CFO from a different firm, a court CFO, or an agency CFO.
Can a commissioner for oaths certify a true copy?
A CFO’s job is to take oaths and declarations, not to certify copies. For a copy used in Singapore, the office usually names who may certify it, often a lawyer. For a copy going overseas, use a notary public, who then sends it through SAL.
Can I change my statutory declaration after I have sworn it?
No changes are allowed after you swear or affirm it. The only exception is a change made in front of the CFO. If you spot a mistake later, you will usually need to make a new declaration.
What happens if I lie in a statutory declaration?
It is a crime. A false declaration for court use can mean up to 7 years in jail and a fine. For other purposes, it can mean up to 3 years in jail and a fine.
Can a commissioner for oaths come to my home or a hospital?
Some private commissioners agree to visit. Tell them the address and the person’s condition when you book. The person must still be able to understand the document and sign it.
Conclusion
A commissioner of oaths in Singapore witnesses affidavits and statutory declarations for local use. You can find one in the SAL directory, at the courts for court papers, or at some agencies. The fees are fixed, but each exhibit adds to the bill.
Check three things before your visit. Make sure the document is for Singapore, not overseas. Leave it unsigned. And make sure every foreign-language exhibit has a proper English translation.
