CHAPTER
20
DIPLOMATIC AGENTS AND CONSULAR OFFICERS
(OATHS AND NOTARIAL ACTS) |
ARRANGEMENT OF
SECTIONS |
SECTION |
|
|
Bahamas diplomatic agent may administer oaths,
etc. |
Diplomatic agent of any state may administer
oaths, if so authorized by laws of that state. |
|
CHAPTER 20 |
DIPLOMATIC AGENTS
AND CONSULAR OFFICERS
(OATHS AND NOTARIAL ACTS) |
An Act to
empower diplomatic agents and Consular Officers to administer oaths, take
affidavits and to perform notarial acts. | 4 of 1975 |
[Commencement 11th
April, 1975] |
1. This Act may be cited as the Diplomatic Agents and
Consular Officers (Oaths and Notarial Acts) Act. | Short title. |
2. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise
requires- | Interpretation. |
"consular
officer" means, subject to subsection (2), any person, including the head
of a consular post, entrusted in that capacity with the exercise of consular
functions; |
"consular post"
means any consulate general, consulate, vice-consulate or consular agency; |
"diplomatic
agent" means, subject to subsection (3), the head of a mission or a member
of the diplomatic staff of a mission; |
"mission"
means an Embassy or High Commission. |
(2) A reference to
a consular officer of The Bahamas includes a reference to a consular officer of
a state other than The Bahamas, acting as such on behalf of the Government of
The Bahamas. |
(3) A reference to
a diplomatic agent of The Bahamas includes a reference to a diplomatic agent of
a state other than The Bahamas acting as such on behalf of the Government of
The Bahamas. |
(4) Unless the
contrary intention appears, references in this Act to a section are references
to a section of this Act and references in a section to a subsection are
references to a subsection of that section. |
3. (1) Every diplomatic agent of The Bahamas or consular
officer of The Bahamas exercising his functions as such in any country or place
other than The Bahamas may, in that country or place, administer any oath, take
any affidavit or statutory declaration and do any notarial act; and every such
oath, affidavit, statutory declaration or notarial act administered, taken or
done by or before any such person shall be as effectual as if administered,
taken or done by or before any lawful authority in The Bahamas. | Bahamas diplomatic agent may administer oaths, etc. |
(2) Any document
purporting to bear the seal and signature of any person authorised by this
section to administer an oath in testimony of any oath, affidavit, statutory
declaration or act being administered, taken or done by or before him, shall be
admitted in evidence without proof of the seal or signature being the seal or
signature of that person, or of the official character of that person. |
4. (1) A diplomatic agent of any state exercising his
functions as such in The Bahamas may, if authorized to do so under the laws of
that state, administer oaths, take affidavits or statutory declarations and do
notarial acts- | Diplomatic agent of any state may administer oaths, if
so authorized by laws of that state. |
(a) required by
any person for use in that state or under the laws thereof; or |
(b) otherwise
required by a national of that state but not for use in The Bahamas. |
(2) The
Governor-General may by Order exclude or restrict the provisions of subsection
(1) in relation to the diplomatic agents of any state if it appears that in
such state diplomatic agents of The Bahamas are not permitted to perform
functions corresponding in nature and extent to those authorized by that
subsection. |
5. Every person before whom any oath, affidavit or
statutory declaration is taken or made under this Act shall state in the jurat
or attestation at what place and on what date the oath or affidavit is taken or
made. | Jurat. |