Find a Justice of the Peace (JP)

Justices of the Peace (JPs) are volunteers that come from all sections of the community. JPs are available across NSW.

JP services

You can ask a JP to:

• witness a statutory declaration or affidavit (only valid for use within Australia)
• certify a copy of an original document. 

A JP is trusted to be honest and impartial when performing their functions. 

A JP cannot:

• unreasonably refuse to provide JP services 
• charge you a fee or accept a gift for providing JP services
• assist or write in a statutory declaration or affidavit
• provide you with legal advice
• store copies of legal documents. 

How to find a Justice of the Peace (JP) 

To find a JP you can:

• search the Public Register
• go to a local JP community desk
• ask if there is a JP at your local council or shire offices, police station or courthouse, office of your local Member of Parliament, local shopping centre, library, chemist or bank. 

When you contact a JP: 

• if using the online Public Register, check their availability before you call
• check that the JP is authorised to witness your documents
• let the JP know if you have a large number of documents to be witnessed
• get your documents ready before your appointment and do not sign your documents before the appointment. 

English language interpreter services 

For help with interpreting or translating documents into English, find out how to:

• get help in your language
• book an interpreter for spoken language
• book a Multicultural Youth Linker appointment (for young people from refugee, migrant and similar backgrounds). 

If you are helping someone with English language interpretation, find out how to provide assistance with language interpretation for a statutory declaration (stat dec).