Where can I get an affidavit commissioned in Zimbabwe?

You can get an affidavit commissioned at: (1) any Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) station — ask for the Commissioner of Oaths on duty, (2) a legal practitioner's office (lawyer/attorney), (3) the Magistrates Court, (4) certain government offices with designated Commissioners of Oaths, or (5) a Justice of the Peace. Police stations are the most accessible and affordable option for most people.

How much does a proof of residence affidavit cost?

At a ZRP police station, the attestation is typically free or costs a nominal fee (usually under $5 USD). At a lawyer's office, the fee is typically $10-$30 USD depending on the firm. At the Magistrates Court, fees are minimal. The affidavit itself can be prepared for free using our template — you only pay for the attestation.

How long is a proof of residence affidavit valid?

There is no statutory validity period for an affidavit, but most institutions (banks, schools, government offices) require it to be dated within the last 3 months. Some banks may accept affidavits up to 6 months old, but it is best practice to get a fresh one if the previous one is more than 3 months old.

Proof of Residence Affidavit Zimbabwe — Free Template

Q: What counts as proof of residence in Zimbabwe?

Acceptable proof of residence in Zimbabwe includes: (1) a utility bill (electricity, water, or rates) in your name dated within the last 3 months, (2) a bank statement showing your address, (3) a lease agreement or title deed, (4) a letter from your employer confirming your address, or (5) a sworn affidavit (proof of residence affidavit) attested by a Commissioner of Oaths. The affidavit is the most common option for people who do not have bills in their name, such as those living with family or in shared accommodation.

What Is a Proof of Residence Affidavit?

A proof of residence affidavit is a sworn statement in which a person declares their physical residential address under oath before a Commissioner of Oaths. It is one of the most commonly needed documents in Zimbabwe, required for everything from opening a bank account to enrolling children in school.

The affidavit serves as an alternative to utility bills or other formal address documentation. It is particularly useful for people who do not have bills in their own name — such as those living with family members, renting informally, or staying in shared accommodation. A property owner or landlord can also swear an affidavit confirming that someone resides at their property.

When You Need Proof of Residence

Proof of residence is commonly required for the following purposes in Zimbabwe:

Purpose	Institution
Opening a bank account	All banks (FICA/KYC compliance)
Mobile money registration	EcoCash, OneMoney, InnBucks
Voter registration	Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)
School enrolment	Government and private schools
Applying for a national ID	Registrar-General’s Office
Applying for a passport	Registrar-General’s Office
Vehicle registration	ZINARA
Applying for a driver’s licence	VID (Vehicle Inspection Department)
Insurance applications	Insurance companies
Court proceedings	Magistrates Court, High Court
Company registration	CIPZ (Companies and Intellectual Property Office)
Applying for government services	Various ministries and departments

Banking KYC: Under Zimbabwe’s Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, banks are required to verify the physical address of all account holders. A proof of residence affidavit is the most widely accepted form of address verification for people who do not have utility bills in their name.

What the Affidavit Must Include

A valid proof of residence affidavit should contain:

Full name of the deponent (person swearing the affidavit)
National ID number or passport number
Full physical address (house number, street, suburb/area, city/town)
How long the person has resided at that address
Declaration that the contents are true and correct
Signature of the deponent
Commissioner of Oaths stamp and signature
Date of attestation

If the affidavit is being sworn by a third party (e.g., a landlord, property owner, or family member confirming that someone lives at their property), it should also include:

Full name and ID number of the third party
Their relationship to the person (landlord, parent, etc.)
Confirmation that the named person resides at the specified address

Where to Get It Commissioned

You can have your proof of residence affidavit attested at any of the following:

Location	Cost	Notes
ZRP Police Station	Free – $5	Most accessible option; ask for the Commissioner of Oaths
Lawyer / Legal Practitioner	$10 – $30	More formal; some banks prefer lawyer-attested affidavits
Magistrates Court	Minimal	Go to the Clerk of Court’s office
Justice of the Peace	Varies	Available in some communities
Designated Government Officials	Free – $5	At certain government offices

What to Bring

Your national ID (original — not a copy)
The completed affidavit (do not sign it until you are in front of the Commissioner of Oaths)
A utility bill, lease agreement, or title deed as supporting evidence (recommended but not always required)
If a third party is swearing the affidavit on your behalf, they must bring their own ID and be present

Important: Swearing a false affidavit is a criminal offence under Zimbabwean law. If you make a statement under oath that you know to be false, you can be charged with perjury, which carries a prison sentence of up to 7 years. Always ensure the information in your affidavit is truthful and accurate.

Validity Period

While there is no statutory expiry date for an affidavit, most institutions in Zimbabwe apply practical limits:

Banks: Typically require the affidavit to be less than 3 months old
Government offices: Usually accept affidavits up to 3–6 months old
Schools: Often accept affidavits from the current year
Courts: Validity depends on the purpose and the presiding officer’s discretion

As a general rule, if your affidavit is more than 3 months old, get a new one to avoid rejection.

Alternative Forms of Proof of Residence

Instead of an affidavit, you may be able to use:

A utility bill (ZESA electricity, ZINWA water, or municipal rates) in your name, dated within the last 3 months
A bank statement showing your physical address
A lease agreement for your rented property
A title deed for property you own
A letter from your employer confirming your residential address (on company letterhead)

How to Use This Template

Download the free proof of residence affidavit template below. All fields that need to be completed are marked with [brackets]. You will need:

Your full name and national ID number
Your complete physical address
How long you have lived at that address

Complete the template, do not sign it, then take it to a Commissioner of Oaths with your national ID. You will sign it in their presence, and they will stamp and attest it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as proof of residence in Zimbabwe?

A utility bill in your name (within 3 months), a bank statement with your address, a lease agreement, a title deed, an employer letter, or a sworn proof of residence affidavit attested by a Commissioner of Oaths.

Where can I get an affidavit commissioned?

At any ZRP police station (ask for the Commissioner of Oaths), a lawyer's office, the Magistrates Court, or a Justice of the Peace. Police stations are the most accessible and affordable option.

How much does it cost?

Free to $5 at a police station, $10-$30 at a lawyer's office. The template itself is free — you only pay for the attestation.

How long is it valid?

Most institutions require it to be less than 3 months old. Some accept up to 6 months. Get a fresh one if yours is more than 3 months old to avoid rejection.

Proof of Residence Affidavit Zimbabwe