Commissioners and Notaries assist people to avoid fraud by verifying the integrity of documents used in commercial and legal transactions, as well as verifying identification of parties executing the legal documents. 

A commissioner for taking affidavits can take affidavits and administer oaths, affirmations or declarations.

A notary public has all the powers of a commissioner for taking affidavits, and can also verify that signatures, marks and copies of documents are true or genuine.