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Oaths & Attestation 5 min read•September 2026

Commissioners for Oaths: Statutory Declarations, Affidavits & Power of Attorney Attestation in London & Manchester

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Managing Director & Solicitor of the Senior Courts (COFA/MLRO)
Commissioners for Oaths: Statutory Declarations, Affidavits & Power of Attorney Attestation in London & Manchester

Key Takeaway for Clients & Businesses

Essential guidance on statutory document witnessing under the Commissioners for Oaths Act 1889, including international property powers of attorney, probate affidavits, and change of name deeds at our Ilford and Stockport offices.

The Statutory Role of a Commissioner for Oaths

Under the Commissioners for Oaths Act 1889 and the Legal Services Act 2007, all practising solicitors of the Senior Courts of England & Wales are authorised Commissioners for Oaths. This confers statutory authority to administer formal oaths, take sworn affidavits, attest statutory declarations, and witness legal instruments required for use in UK courts, government departments, and foreign jurisdictions.
At Sky Solicitors Ltd, our principals provide walk-in and same-day appointment document attestation at both our London Registered Office (169 High Road, Ilford) and Manchester Branch Office (24-26 Greek Street, Stockport).

Affidavits vs Statutory Declarations: What Is the Difference?

Clients frequently ask about the legal distinction between these formal documents:
1. Affidavits (Sworn Under Oath or Affirmation):
•An affidavit is a written statement of facts used primarily as formal evidence in court proceedings (e.g., Family Court, High Court, or Probate Registry).
•The deponent must physically swear an oath on a sacred religious text (Holy Bible, Quran, Gita, Guru Granth Sahib) or make a solemn secular affirmation that the contents are true.
•Giving false evidence in an affidavit constitutes criminal Perjury, carrying serious statutory penalties under the Perjury Act 1911.
2. Statutory Declarations (Statutory Declarations Act 1835):
•A formal written statement made under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 used to confirm facts where court evidence is not formally underway.
•Common applications include: confirming marital status for overseas civil weddings, confirming single-name changes (Deed Polls), declaring financial origins for UKVI immigration sponsor files, and declaring origin of funds for commercial property acquisitions.

Overseas Powers of Attorney (Mukhtarnama) & Property Transactions

A significant proportion of our attestation practice involves clients in London and Manchester executing General or Special Powers of Attorney for real estate, family inheritance, or commercial transactions in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, the UAE, and the Middle East:
•Witnessing and Sealing: We verify identity, ensure free mental capacity and understanding, and witness the client's signature before affixing our official SRA Commissioner for Oaths professional stamp and seal.
•Apostille & Legalisation Advice: Where documents are destined for foreign public registries, we guide clients through UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) apostille certification and Embassy consular legalisation requirements.

Statutory Fees & Appointment Guidelines

Under statutory Solicitors' Remuneration rules, statutory oath fees are transparent and capped:
•£5.00 for administering the oath or statutory declaration for each deponent.
•£2.00 for marking each supporting exhibit or annexed document.
For complex commercial document drafting, international powers of attorney, or certified company house statutory filings, our solicitors provide transparent, upfront fixed quotations.

Pre-Action Checklist: What To Prepare Before Consulting

  • Original photographic ID (Valid Passport / UKVI eVisa & Right-to-Work or Right-to-Rent Share Code) and proof of current address.
  • All relevant Home Office notices, decision/refusal letters, or Court claim forms received.
  • Full chronological schedule of correspondence and bank account evidence.
  • Tenancy agreements, commercial lease heads of terms, or corporate governance documentation.
Legal Disclaimer: This publication is provided for general information purposes only under the laws of England and Wales as at September 2026 and does not constitute formal legal advice or establish a solicitor-client relationship. You should always obtain specific legal advice from a regulated legal practitioner before taking or refraining from any action.
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Mr Imtiaz Ahmed Ranjha
Managing Director & Solicitor of the Senior Courts (COFA/MLRO)
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