Commissioner of Oaths in Mauritius

TBI Mauritius can assist with commissioner of oaths matters in the north of Mauritius, including swearing affidavits, signing statutory declarations and certifying copies of documents. This sits alongside our wider business advisory and legal assistance work, and is usually most relevant to clients we are already supporting with relocation, residency, company or property matters. From our office in Grand Baie we can point you in the right direction depending on what your document is for.

What Is a Commissioner of Oaths in Mauritius?

A commissioner for oaths in Mauritius is a person authorised under Mauritian law, including the Oaths Act, to administer oaths and affirmations and to witness the signing of sworn documents such as affidavits and statutory declarations. In plain terms, a commissioner of oaths confirms that a document is signed correctly, that the person signing is who they say they are, and that they have sworn the contents to be true.

The role exists so that courts, government departments, banks, universities and overseas authorities can rely on a document as genuine.

Commissioner of Oaths vs Notary Public in Mauritius

People often ask about the difference between a commissioner of oaths and a notary public (notaire) in Mauritius. The two roles overlap but are not the same. A commissioner of oaths administers oaths and affirmations, takes affidavits and statutory declarations, and certifies true copies of documents. A notaire is a public officer who authenticates deeds, handles property conveyancing and sale agreements, prepares powers of attorney, and deals with succession matters such as an affidavit of heirship.

As a general guide, sworn statements and certified copies usually need a commissioner of oaths, while authenticated deeds, property transactions and succession documents are handled by a notaire. If you are not sure which you need, we can help point you in the right direction as part of our legal assistance service.

What a Commissioner of Oaths Can Help With

A commissioner of oaths in Mauritius can assist with a range of everyday legal and administrative documents, including affidavits and sworn statements, statutory declarations, and certified true copies of documents such as passports, identity cards, driving licences and academic certificates. These are often needed for banks, employers, universities, government offices, and residency or company applications.

Affidavits in Mauritius

Swearing an affidavit is straightforward. You bring the document that needs to be sworn along with valid photo identification, attend in person so your identity can be confirmed, and swear or affirm the contents before the commissioner, who then signs and stamps the affidavit. We can handle affidavits and declarations in English or French.

Using Certified Documents Overseas

If a document needs to be used abroad, it may require an apostille as well as certification. Mauritius is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, which means a public document can be legalised with a single apostille certificate for use in other member countries, rather than going through a longer legalisation process. For documents intended for overseas use, we can advise whether notarisation and an apostille are needed.

Related Services

Commissioner of oaths matters usually come up as part of a wider process. If you are moving to the island, setting up a business or investing here, you may find the following more directly relevant: moving to Mauritius, company formation in Mauritius, business advisors, and legal assistance. We are happy to handle any documents that need certifying as part of that work.