Form details

Character reference affidavit

SAPS & firearms

Start by asking the person or organisation receiving the reference which format it accepts. If an affidavit is requested, a Commissioner of Oaths can take affidavits. For work or study abroad, a foreign mission may ask for private documents such as an affidavit or power of attorney. Check the request with the organisation or mission handling your case.

Prepare your affidavit

No account needed. Your answers are used for this request. Save to your account only when you choose to.

Do not sign before the commissioner of oaths. Review your statement and sign in their presence. This PDF is not signed or certified.

As it should appear in your statement.
Use facts you know. State dates and names accurately; explain any uncertainty.
Use facts you know. State dates and names accurately; explain any uncertainty.

Official downloads

Get the current form from the official source:

Legalisation services dirco.gov.za

Form oaths www.justice.gov.za

How to use it

  1. Use the recipient’s instructions Record the requested format before drafting. If the recipient gives wording or a form, use those instructions as the drafting brief. If the format is unclear, ask the recipient to specify what it will accept.
  2. Arrange an affidavit when requested A Commissioner of Oaths can take affidavits. Ask the Commissioner how to arrange the signing and what papers to bring.
  3. Check foreign mission documents For work or study abroad, check the mission’s document request before preparing papers. It may require private documents such as an affidavit or power of attorney. Ask whether this applies to your application and whether you need other documents.
  4. Check before handover Compare the finished reference with the requested format and wording. Ask whether supporting papers are needed and whether the recipient wants an original or a copy. Keep a copy of the version you hand in or send.

Document checklist

  1. Requested format Record whether the recipient wants an affidavit, a letter or another form.
  2. Affidavit arrangements If an affidavit is requested, check how to arrange the signing and what to bring.
  3. Foreign mission request For work or study abroad, check whether the mission requests an affidavit or power of attorney.

Questions & answers

Does every character reference need to be an affidavit?

Ask the person or organisation requesting the reference which format it accepts. This page explains the affidavit route but does not set the recipient’s requirements.

Who can take an affidavit?

A Commissioner of Oaths can take affidavits. Ask the Commissioner how to arrange the signing and what to bring.

What should the referee write?

Ask the recipient which points, wording and supporting papers it wants. Keep those instructions beside the draft and check the requested points before signing.

Can a foreign mission ask for an affidavit?

For work or study abroad, a foreign mission may require private documents such as an affidavit or power of attorney. Check with the mission handling your application.

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More help

Sources

dirco.gov.za

www.justice.gov.za

Govnet is an independent information portal. Generated PDFs are unsigned drafts.