The Duties of a CO

Let us now move on to Section 2 of Rule 13. This rule specifically mention the duties of a CO to a client seeking his services.

These seven duties are from (a) to (g).

Let us start.

a) verify the identity, the personal particulars in an I/C  card or passport and the address of the person making the declaration, affirmation,oath or statement before the CO

[ It means you have to look at all his I/C or Passport particulars and his address as well!]

b) read over and explain the contents of the documents and the exhibits  attached thereto to the deponent or maker of the document if he is blind, illiterate or does not not understand the language of the document before certifying that he has done so in the jurat.

[Explain the contents of documents and exhibits to a blind, illiterate customer or does not understand the language it is written in]

c) Initial any alteration made in the document to be sworn or affirmed.

d) not affix his seal to any document unless the deponent or maker of the document signs or affixes his thumbprint thereto before him.


e) refuses the services of his office when the CO has cause to suspect that any person before him  is engaged in deception,fraud, duress or any illegal conduct.


[A CO must refuse his services if he suspects illegality]

f) carry out the functions of his office in a prompt, reasonable and business-like manner; and

[Be efficient and reasonable]

g) make himself available  to conduct all functions of his office at regular and reasonable hours.

[ Make himself available to give service at specific and determined hours]

We will look at the jurat now. It is in Form 6.

The dimensions are 6 cm in breadth and 10 cm in length.

Besides using a chop, the CO may also type this onto the document.