Need a document sworn, or have you been told you need a notary? Both a Commissioner for Oaths and a Notary Public deal with documents, so the two are easy to mix up. They are appointed differently, and they are usually used for different kinds of documents. Here is a short, plain-English guide to help you make sense of it.
The Commissioner for Oaths
First, the Commissioner for Oaths. A Commissioner for Oaths is appointed by the Chief Justice.
A Commissioner for Oaths is usually for documents used in Malaysia, such as:
- statutory declarations; and
- affidavits for court.
The Notary Public
Second, the Notary Public. A Notary Public is appointed by the Attorney General, and is usually a lawyer.
A Notary Public is usually for documents going overseas, for example:
- a power of attorney;
- an agreement; or
- company documents.
In short
- For documents used in Malaysia: usually a Commissioner for Oaths.
- For documents going overseas: usually a Notary Public.
This is a general rule of thumb, not a fixed rule, which is why the word “usually” appears throughout this guide. If you are unsure which one you need, ask whoever asked for the document. They are the ones who will be relying on it, so they can tell you what they will accept.
A practical tip for the Commissioner for Oaths
If you are seeing a Commissioner for Oaths, keep these three points in mind:
- Bring your IC or passport.
- Don’t sign the document beforehand.
- Sign it in front of the Commissioner for Oaths.
Please note
Information as at 30 October 2026.
General information only, not legal advice.
To learn more, visit C H LEE NORA at KL Eco City. chlnlaw.com.