AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
In England and Wales the fee for swearing an affidavit or making a statutory declaration before a commissioner for oaths is £5 for each person sworn plus £2 for each exhibit, set by the Commissioners for Oaths (Fees) Order 1993 and inclusive of VAT. Drafting the affidavit, certifying copies and notarial work are separate services with their own charges.
The fixed fee
The Commissioners for Oaths (Fees) Order 1993 sets what a commissioner may charge for taking an oath. The text on legislation.gov.uk shows the Order as made, and solicitors' firms still quote the same figures; one firm, Boys & Maughan, says on its own page that the charge "has been fixed since 1993".
- Each person who swears or affirms
- £5
- Each exhibit marked and signed
- £2
- VAT
- Included in those amounts, per the Order
- Statutory declaration
- Same rates as an affidavit, per the firm's page
An exhibit is a document attached to the affidavit and referred to in it, such as a copy of your passport data page or a marriage certificate. Each one is marked (for example "AO1") and signed by the commissioner, which is why it carries its own fee.
What the fee does not cover
- Writing the affidavit. The commissioner takes your oath on a document you bring. If you ask a solicitor to draft it, that is legal work charged at the firm's own rate.
- Certified copies. Certifying that a photocopy is a true copy is not an oath. Boys & Maughan quotes typically £10 per document for this; other firms set their own price.
- Notarial acts. A notary public is a different office. Notaries set their own fees, and documents for use abroad often need a notary rather than a commissioner.
- Apostille. If the receiving country wants one, the FCDO charges separately (see whether Nigeria accepts a UK e-Apostille).
Worked examples
| Example | Calculation | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| One person, affidavit with no exhibits | £5 | £5 |
| One person, affidavit with three exhibits | £5 + (3 × £2) | £11 |
| Two people, each swearing their own affidavit with two exhibits | 2 × (£5 + 2 × £2) | £18 |
| Statutory declaration plus two certified copies at £10 each (firm's charge) | £5 + (2 × £10) | £25 |
These are labelled examples using the Order's figures and one firm's copy charge; ask the firm what it charges for anything other than the oath itself.
Using a UK affidavit in Nigeria
Many Nigerians in the UK swear affidavits for use at home: a change of name, loss of a document, declaration of age, or confirmation that two spellings refer to the same person. The fixed UK fee is low, but the real question is whether the Nigerian office will accept a UK-sworn document at all, or whether it wants it notarised, apostilled or sworn again before a Nigerian court registry. Nigerian practice differs from office to office. Some practical points:
- Ask the receiving body whether a commissioner for oaths is enough or whether it needs a notary public.
- Bring photo ID; the commissioner needs to be satisfied who you are, and your name should match the name on the affidavit.
- Do not sign before the appointment. You sign in front of the commissioner.
- Read the affidavit carefully before you swear it. You are confirming its contents are true, and a false affidavit has legal consequences.
- Keep a scan of the sworn document with every exhibit.
For a fuller guide to the Nigerian side, see swearing an affidavit in the UK for use in Nigeria.
Commissioner, solicitor or notary: which you need
| Service | What it does | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|
| Commissioner for oaths | Takes your oath or affirmation on an affidavit or statutory declaration | Fixed: £5 per person, £2 per exhibit |
| Solicitor certifying a copy | Confirms a photocopy matches the original | Set by the firm (one firm quotes typically £10 per document) |
| Notary public | Witnesses and authenticates documents for use abroad, keeps a record of the act | Set by the notary |
| FCDO apostille | Confirms the UK signature or seal is real | Fixed by the FCDO per document |
The cheapest service is the right one only if the Nigerian office accepts it. Paying £5 for an oath that a registry later rejects, then paying a notary and the FCDO on top, costs more than asking first.
Common mistakes
- Signing the affidavit at home before the appointment, which means it has to be printed and signed again.
- Forgetting to bring every exhibit, so the commissioner cannot mark them.
- Using a name on the affidavit that differs from the photo ID you bring.
- Assuming an affidavit sworn in Scotland or Northern Ireland follows the same fee rules; this guide covers England and Wales.
Where to find a commissioner
Many solicitors' firms in England and Wales take oaths for walk-in clients, often at short notice. Some firms will only witness other kinds of documents for existing clients, so say clearly that you need an oath or statutory declaration sworn. The Nigeria High Commission in London lists no affidavit service on its consular page.
Where Pryme fits
If the affidavit supports a change on a Nigerian bank or NIN record, you may also need to pay naira charges at home. A Pryme account holds GBP and NGN with local details for each (how it works), and the app shows the rate and the fee before you approve any conversion.
Questions people ask
How much does a commissioner for oaths charge in the UK?
£5 per person sworn and £2 per exhibit, including VAT, under the Commissioners for Oaths (Fees) Order 1993.
Is a statutory declaration the same price?
Yes, solicitors quote the same £5 per person and £2 per exhibit for statutory declarations.
Does the £5 include writing the affidavit?
No. Drafting is separate legal work charged at the firm's own rate. The fixed fee is for taking the oath.
Will Nigeria accept an affidavit sworn in the UK?
It depends on the office. Ask whether a commissioner for oaths is enough or whether it needs a notary, an apostille or a fresh affidavit sworn in Nigeria.
Sources
- legislation.gov.uk: Commissioners for Oaths (Fees) Order 1993, as made · accessed Oct 2026
- Boys & Maughan solicitors: oaths, declarations and identity documents · accessed Oct 2026
- Nigeria High Commission London: consular services (notice of 11 Sep 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.