Declarations are normally made and used by members of public when they cannot produce the required documentary proof to substantiate their claims to support their applications made to various government departments or non-governmental bodies.
Oaths are normally made where an affidavit is required. An affidavit is a written statement of fact verified by the maker’s oath. An affidavit is usually used in connection with legal proceedings when required or authorised by law as evidence of the matters stated in it.
An affirmation is an alternative to the oath. Where a person objects to swear an oath, usually for religious reasons, he shall be permitted to make an affirmation instead for any purpose for which an oath is required by law. An affirmation is a written statement of fact verified by the solemn and sincere affirmation of the maker.
Any charge incurred in declaration or oath/affirmation service?
No, our declaration or oath/affirmation service is free of charge.
Where can I find the declaration or oath/affirmation service time slots and the addresses of the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres (Enquiry Centres) ?
Since different Enquiry Centres have different time slots for declaration or oath/affirmation service, please call our Telephone Enquiry Centre at 2835 2500 during office hours (Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 7:00pm, except public holidays) for the service time slots. You may click here for the addresses, telephone numbers and the declaration or oath/affirmation service time slots of the Enquiry Centres.
Does your department provide attestation of signature service?
No, we only provide declaration or oath/affirmation service. The Commissioner for Oaths is not empowered under the Oaths and Declarations Ordinance to attest to the authenticity of signatures. You may consider attaching the required document as an exhibit to the declaration or affidavit/affirmation and declare or swear/affirm the signature in the exhibit is true and correct. You should consult the relevant organisation on whether the declaration or oath/affirmation will be accepted.
Does your department provide certified true copy service ?
No, we only provide declaration or oath/affirmation service. The Commissioner for Oaths is not empowered under the Oaths and Declarations Ordinance to certify a document as a true copy of its original and is not in a position to ascertain the authenticity of the original document. You may consider attaching the document as an exhibit to the declaration or affidavit/affirmation and declare the exhibit is the true copy of the original document. You should consult the relevant organisation on whether the declaration or oath/affirmation will be accepted.
What language should be used when filling in the form and making declaration or oath/affirmation?
A declaration or affidavit/affirmation should be completed in official language (Chinese or English). If appropriate, you have to consult the relevant organisation on the type of official language to be used. If you understand the contents of the declaration or affidavit/affirmation, you may read out the declaration or oath/affirmation in Chinese or English.
If you are not conversant with official language (including those who are only conversant with dialect other than Cantonese and Putonghua) or do not understand the contents of the declaration or affidavit/affirmation, the Home Affairs Department can book a timeslot for provision of on-site interpretation service by non-governmental organisaton. Alternatively, you may also choose to bring along a person who is conversant with the official language and the language/dialect which you are conversant with to act as interpreter. The interpreter has to truly, distinctly and audibly interpret the contents to you in front of the Commissioner for Oaths and provide guidance to you in the course of administering and/or reading out the declaration or oath/affirmation. The interpreter is also required to declare or swear that he has truly, distinctly and audibly interpreted the contents to you in front of the Commissioner for Oaths.
If I am illiterate, how can I make a declaration or oath/affirmation?
You have to be accompanied by a relative or friend who can complete the declaration or affidavit/affirmation for you and read out the declaration or oath/affirmation to you in front of the Commissioner for Oaths. The relative or friend is also required to declare or swear that he has truly, distinctly and audibly interpreted the contents to you in front of the Commissioner for Oaths.
Can the declaration for early withdrawal of accrued benefits under the Mandatory Provident Fund be processed?
Yes, you can approach any of our Home Affairs Enquiry Centres (Enquiry Centres) in person. You need to bring along your Identity Card and fill in the designated declaration form issued by the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. Please click here for the addresses, telephone numbers and the declaration time slots of the Enquiry Centres.
Does your department provide will making services?
No, Home Affairs Enquiry Centres only provide services in relation to administering declarations/oaths for private use. However, statutory declarations/oaths are not equivalent to wills. Statutory Declarations/oaths are governed by the Oaths and Declarations Ordinance (Cap. 11) while wills are governed by the Wills Ordinance (Cap. 30). Generally speaking, a declaration/oath may be made before a Commissioner for Oaths whereas a will must be made in accordance with the requirements under section 5(1) of the Wills Ordinance, which includes signing of the will by the testator in the presence of two or more witnesses present at the same time.
Does your department provide notary or apostille services?
No, we only provide declaration or oath/affirmation service. The Commissioner for Oaths is not empowered to provide notarization, China attestation and Apostille services.