Are you in a rush to have a legal document certified or witnessed? Don't worry, we've rounded up all the information you need to find a Justice of the Peace near you.
* 5 min read *
Do you have an important document that you need to be certified or witnessed? We know it can be a pain when you've got an important document you just need to be certified. Whether it's a Will, a Property Sale Agreement for your new home, or a Visa application, you're usually in a rush, and then you have to figure out where you can find a Justice of the Peace (JP) to witness your signature.
No problem. inAdvisor is here to help.
What is a Justice of the Peace?
Generally, Justices of the Peace are volunteers who are authorised to witness and certify important legal documents such as the following:
Affidavits
A written statement that is used as evidence in Court proceedings. A person who makes the affidavit must promise in the presence of an authorised witness that their statements are true.
Statutory Declarations
A written statement that the declarant signs and declares to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. Usually, insurance companies, superannuation providers, and banks require information via a statutory declaration.
Certified Copies of Documents
A certified copy of a document avoids the need to submit original copies of important documents such as academic qualifications, birth certificates, or marriage contracts.
Wills
An Estate Planning document that expresses how your assets (money and property) will be distributed after your pass on.
Deeds
A special form of document that states a person’s sincerest promise to do something that they have contracted to do.
A JP can also witness the signing of Power of Attorney and Guardianship documents provided that the JP is satisfied with the signatories’ capabilities.
Each state has its own set of criteria for appointing JPs but typically they should be someone of good stature in the community.
A JP is expected to be trustworthy, honest, and impartial when performing their duties. They cannot:
- Charge a fee or accept a gift in exchange for their services.
- Provide you with legal advice ( a lawyer would be the best person to give you legal advice).
- Refuse to provide JP services unreasonably.
- Write or even assist in writing an affidavit or statutory declaration.
Where Do I Find a Justice of the Peace Near Me?
There are thousands of Justices of the Peace of different cultural backgrounds in every state. The key is to know exactly where to look. We’ve rounded up a list of contact details per state so you can be well on your way in completing that important document in your hands.
Finding a JP in New South Wales
If you need to find a JP in Sydney, Central Coast or any other city in New South Wales, you can use the online JP Public Register.
If you cannot find a JP that fits your schedule online, you may be able to find one at the following locations:
- The office of your local Member of Parliament
- Your local shopping centre
- A police station or Courthouse
- A local Council or the Shire
- Some financial institutions
- Some chemists
- Some libraries
Finding a JP in Victoria
If you’re trying to find a Justice of the Peace in Melbourne or any city in Victoria, you have two options:
- Contact them online through the Justice and Community Safety website.
- Visit a Document Signing Station (DSS)
You can find a DSS in public places such as a council office, a library, or a police station. You can walk in during the specified hours of operation. However, due to Covid restrictions, you may opt for remote witnessing. You just need to have a computer desktop, laptop, or smartphone and a stable internet connection to be able to complete the process.
Finding a JP in Queensland
If you need a JP in Brisbane or any other city in Queensland, you can search the Queensland Government website. Normally you can also visit other public locations such as shopping centres, libraries, and Courts but due to Covid restrictions, vulnerable Queenslanders can have documents witnessed online.
The witnessing of documents via video conferencing applies only to the following documents:
- Statutory declarations
- Affidavits
- Deeds
Please take note that witnessing interstate or Commonwealth Documents or certifying documents are required to be done face to face.
Finding a JP in Western Australia
If you want to find a JP in Perth or other Western Australian cities, you may search the government website.
You may also try visiting the Document Witnessing Centres that are managed by JPs. They assure that they have safety measures in place to protect the wellbeing and safety of the JPs and those that wish to use their services.
Make sure to call ahead before visiting any centre to ensure that you will not go home empty-handed.
Finding a JP in South Australia
If you’re keen to find a JP in Adelaide or any part of South Australia, search the government Consumer and Business Services website.
You can also check the State Electoral Offices to find a JP. near you. Just make sure to call your local office to check for the JP’s available schedules.
Finding a JP in Tasmania
If you need a JP in Hobart or other areas in Tasmania try visiting the designated signing clinics located in civic centres and council offices in major cities such as Hobart and Launceston.
You may also search the JP website to find a Justice of Peace near you.
Finding a JP in ACT
If you’re looking for a JP in Canberra or other places in ACT, you may visit a signing centre at the following locations. Make sure to check their schedules first since some offices are closed due to Covid restrictions.
You may also search for a JP near you at the ACT Government website.
What To Do Before Meeting with a JP or Visiting a Signing Centre?
- Check the JP’s availability before contacting or visiting them.
- Inform the JP beforehand if you have a lot of documents for witnessing or certifying. They might recommend that you make an appointment.
- Make sure that all your documents are in order and none of them have been pre-signed.
- If you are having original documents certified, ensure you have the originals and your photocopies are in colour.
- If you are having a document witnessed, bring appropriate identity documents such as your driver’s licence.
- Be mindful that JPs are doing their services as volunteers.
- Remember that they cannot give you legal advice. If you have legal issues that you need help with, contact inAdvisor to get matched with a lawyer that fits your budget and needs.
- Prepare your own pen and practice appropriate health and safety protocols.
Conclusion
Finding a JP is now very easy, making access to online legal service effortless and faster than ever. Thanks to modern technology, you don’t need to deal with a lawyer in person. Gone are the days of traveling to and fro your lawyer’s office just to accomplish your legal requirements. It saves you a lot of time and money (and probably your sanity). So if there's a document or service you need, don't waste your valuable resources trying to find a lawyer to see in person who will likely bill you in 6-minute intervals for the pleasure.
Buy a low-cost legal document online and know how much you have to pay upfront. You'll be matched with a lawyer with the expertise to assist and have the option to accept them or request another lawyer before the work starts. Then get your great service paying a fixed amount upfront to give you the confidence that there will be no fee surprises down the track. That's just one of the ways inAdvisor makes legal advice cheaper and easier. Browse our range now.