A Justice of the Peace (JP) acts as an independent and objective witness to documents people use for official or legal purposes.
When contacting a JP, please note JPs are volunteers who provide their services to the community free of charge. While JPs make themselves available as much as possible, it should be remembered that they have the same type of work and personal commitments as any other person. As such, you will need to discuss a mutually acceptable time and place for an appointment.
What a JP can witness?
A JP can:
- certify a true copy of an original document
- certify a person’s identity
- witness an affidavit for use in court
- witness a statutory declaration
- witness the signing of a document
These services are provided by JPs at one of the Document Signing Centres (link to DoJ) or by arrangement between the JP and the member of the public.
Some JPs also support legal processes in Tasmanian by providing services such as after hours Court Magistrates. They also support Tasmania Police by approving Search Warrants, providing an adult for juvenile Police interviews if a family member is not available, and witnessing the destruction of firearms and illegal drug related items,