Background and Motivation

Official Designation
In Government Gazette R10370 dated 23 February 2015, it was approved that HR Associates (HRA), HR Professionals (HRP), Chartered HR Professionals (CHRP) and Master HR Professionals (MHRP) of the SABPP are now ex officio (by virtue of the designation they hold) Commissioners of Oaths in terms of section 6 of the Justices of Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act, 1963 (Act No. 16 of 1963).  

In terms of this ex officio status, SABPP membership must be maintained in order to retain the Commissioner of Oath status and to legally fulfill the function as a Commissioner of Oaths. The Act states that the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, designate, amend or withdraw the holder of any office as a Commissioner of Oaths for any area specified in such notice, in order for such person to become an ex officio Commissioner of Oaths

Scope of Role

South African Commissioners of Oaths may perform thier role only within South Africa and in relation to documents pertaining to activities falling under South African Jurisdiction. Therefore, SABPP members in other countries will not carry the same ex-officio role outside South Africa. However, when they return to South Africa, they may be Commissioners of Oaths. Within South Africa, Commissioners of Oaths may certify foreign documents where the document is to be used for purposes falling wihtin South African jurisdiction- therefore, for example, documents relating to foreign qualification.

How to Perform an Oath or Affirmation

How to Certify a Document to be a True Copy

A document can be certified to be a true copy by a Commissioner of Oaths by verifying the copy against the original and by affixing the words:
“I certify that this document is a true copy of the original which was examined by me and that, from my observations, the original has not been altered in any manner.”  
OR  
“Certified a true copy of the original.”  
This stamp must be used in conjunction with your Commissioner of Oaths stamp and your signature. It is important to check that the original document is indeed an original and not a scan or photocopy. If necessary, you can ask for proof that the document is genuine. You must satisfy yourself before certifying the document.