(a) Designation of certain officers authorized.--Each local organization of The American Red Cross, The American Legion, Veterans of World War I of the U.S.A., Inc., Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Disabled American Veterans, United Spanish War Veterans, Regular Veterans Association, Director of Veterans Affairs, Jewish War Veterans of the United States, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Italian American War Veterans of the United States, Incorporated, and such other similar organizations now or hereafter accredited or recognized by the United States Veterans Administration, which supplies such aid and assistance to veterans or their dependents, and which gratuitously prepares forms for veterans and their dependents in connection with their affairs as such before the United States, any agency thereof, or the Commonwealth, any agency or political subdivision thereof, is hereby authorized to designate one of its officers to take affidavits or acknowledgments to such forms, as may be required by rule, regulation or otherwise by the United States, any agency thereof, or the Commonwealth, any agency or political subdivision thereof, in the administration of the affairs of veterans and their dependents. For the same purposes the Adjutant General is authorized to designate one or more persons from the Department of Military Affairs, and the State Director of Selective Service is authorized to designate one or more persons from the Pennsylvania Selective Service System.

(b) Appointment, certification and authority.--When any such officer or person is so designated, his name, address and official position shall be furnished to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, in writing, signed by such designated officer or person, accompanied by a certificate of his designation by the proper authority of such organization, or of the Adjutant General, or the State Director of Selective Service, as the case may be. Upon receipt of such writing and certificate in form as herein provided the Secretary of the Commonwealth, with the approval of the Governor, shall issue under his hand and seal of his office a certificate of appointment to such designated officer or person which shall authorize him to take affidavits or acknowledgments of veterans and their dependents in connection with their affairs as such before the United States, any agency thereof, or the Commonwealth, any agency or political subdivision thereof. Such authorized officer or person shall exercise the authority conferred under the provisions of this section at the pleasure of the Governor. Each certificate issued as aforesaid by the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall be numbered in the order of date issued, and the Secretary of the Commonwealth is hereby authorized to certify such appointment whenever required.

(c) Record of affidavit or acknowledgment.--Each affidavit or acknowledgment taken as above authorized shall contain the date, signature and title of the officer or person administering the same and the number of the certificate issued to the authorized officer or person.

(d) Charges for certification, acknowledgment or affidavit.--The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall make no charge whatsoever for filing, appointing, or certifying under the provisions of this section, nor shall any officer or person so designated and authorized make any charge for taking such acknowledgments or affidavits.

(e) Penalty.--Any person who shall be convicted of having willfully and knowingly made or taken a false oath or affirmation before any officer or person authorized under this section to administer same in any matter within his official duty, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

References in Text. The Department of Military Affairs, referred to in subsec. (a), is now the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.