Apply to be appointed a Commissioner for Oaths (advocates)
The Judiciary of Kenya · sources read 3 Oct 2026
If you have practised as an advocate in Kenya for at least 3 years, apply on the Judiciary's JAMS portal. There's no application fee, but your appointment only takes effect once you pay stamp duty on the Commission.
- Fee
- FreeApplication fee (stamp duty on the Commission is separate)
- Where
- Online on the Judiciary Advocates Management System (JAMS); you then sign the Roll in person before the Chief Registrar
What you need
- A petition to the Chief Justice confirming you have at least 3 years of practice (PDF)
- Copies of your practising certificates for 3 years
- A statutory declaration on your fitness for appointment
- Certificates from 2 advocates, with copies of their practising certificates
- Certificates from 2 stakeholders
Steps
- Activate your account on JAMS (jams.court.go.ke): click Sign Up, choose Advocate and enter your P105 number and email.
- Click Commissioner for Oaths Application and upload your petition and the other documents as PDFs.
- The Advocates Section reviews it, then the Law Society of Kenya recommends or objects. If LSK recommends you, the Chief Justice issues your Commission.
- When invited by email, sign the Roll of Commissioners for Oaths before the Chief Registrar or a Deputy Registrar.
- Take your Commission to the Ministry of Lands to pay stamp duty and have it franked, then upload the franked copy to JAMS.
Watch out
- You are not a Commissioner for Oaths until the stamp duty on your Commission is paid.
- It's an offence to act or charge fees as a Commissioner for Oaths before you are appointed.
- The appointment is for life and doesn't need yearly renewal, unless the Chief Justice revokes it or you are struck off the Roll.
Who can apply
- Advocates who have practised in Kenya for at least 3 years.
- Once appointed, you can witness the signing of affidavits, statutory declarations and other legal documents.
Official sources (1)
- Advocates judiciary.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026