Appointment Criteria
Subject to the discretion of the Board of Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public, the internal guidelines used for the fresh appointments of advocates and solicitors as Commissioners for Oaths are as follows:
Advocates and Solicitors
Commissioners for Oaths who are advocates and solicitors are, as at date of appointment, to:
- have no fewer than 10 years' experience in active legal practice and/or legal service (as the case may be); and
- be at least 35 years old.
An appointment of a Commissioner for Oaths is only valid so long as he/she shall continue to hold a practicing certificate.
As a general rule, for fresh appointments and reappointments, if there have been disciplinary proceedings against an advocate and solicitor which resulted in the imposition of penalties, the application will be rejected. If the applicant was only reprimanded (without having a penalty imposed), the Board will examine the merits of the case should the said applicant make a fresh application in a future application exercise. The Board will, however, consider the merits of the case before coming to a decision.
Advocates and solicitors pay an annual fee of $700 for application and appointment or reappointment as Commissioner for Oaths. This fee comprises of $650 (Appointment Fee) and $50 (Non-refundable Application Fee). In the event of an unsuccessful application or a withdrawal of application at any time and for any reason, only the Appointment Fee of $650 will be refunded.
Non-advocates and Solicitors
Commissioners for Oaths who are non-advocates and solicitors are, as at date of appointment, to:
- have at least GCE "O" Levels or their equivalent;
- be at least 25 years old; and
- be in the employ of the organisation for at least one year.
To be eligible for appointment, first-time applicants will first have to register for and pass an online Test before submitting an application for appointment as CO.
Non-advocates and solicitors pay an annual fee of $200 for application and appointment or reappointment as Commissioner for Oaths. This fee comprises of $175 (Appointment Fee) and $25 (Non-refundable Application Fee). In the event of an unsuccessful application or a withdrawal of application at any time and for any reason, only the Appointment Fee of $175 will be refunded.
Subject to the discretion of the Board of Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public, the internal guidelines used for the fresh appointments of advocates and solicitors as notaries public are as follows:
Notaries Public (as at date of appointment) are to:
- have no fewer than 15 years' experience in active legal practice and/or legal service (as the case may be); and
- be at least 40 years old
An appointment of a Notary Public is only valid so long as he/she shall continue to hold a practicing certificate.
The Board will generally apply a quota for the appointment of Notaries Public, depending on the size of the firm in which the applicant practises. The table below provides general guidance in this regard:
| 1 to 5 lawyers | 1 notary |
| 6 to 10 lawyers | 2 notary |
| 11 to 50 lawyers | 3 notary |
| 51 to 80 lawyers | 4 notary |
| 81 to 100 lawyers | 5 notary |
| 101 to 150 lawyers | 6 notary |
| 151 to 200 lawyers | 8 notary |
| 201 to 250 lawyers | 10 notary |
As a general rule, for fresh appointments and reappointments, if there have been disciplinary proceedings against an advocate and solicitor which resulted in the imposition of penalties, the application will be rejected. If the applicant was only reprimanded (without having a penalty imposed), the Board will examine the merits of the case should the said applicant make a fresh application in a future application exercise. The Board will, however, consider the merits of the case before coming to a decision.
Advocates and solicitors pay an annual fee of $700 for application and appointment or reappointment as Notaries Public. This fee comprises of $650 (Appointment Fee) and $50 (Non-refundable Application Fee). In the event of an unsuccessful application or a withdrawal of application at any time and for any reason, only the Appointment Fee of $650 will be refunded.
*Applications for Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public have to be submitted online by 31 January and 31 July each year, for appointments commencing 1 April and 1 October respectively. Late applications will be rejected.