Expanding criteria for witnessing Statutory Declarations. Who can witness statutory declarations in Australia? Can an approved witness sign a statutory declaration?
Is a statutory declaration valid? What do you need to know about statutory declarations? Due to COVID-restrictions in place, the South Australian Government has expanded the criteria for people to witness statutory declarations. This includes government employees, accountants, religious ministers, medical professionals and bank officers who meet the criteria. Under the changes, people who can witness statutory declarations include government employees , accountants , religious ministers , medical professionals and bank officers who meet the criteria will also be able to witness statutory declarations.
The Commonwealth law provides for a broader range of authorised persons. A justice of the peace (JP ) acts as an independent and objective witness to documents people use for official or legal purposes. JPs use the resources on this page to help them carry out tasks related to their work.
JPs in South Australia can manage their appointments and personal information through the Justice of the Peace Services portal. An approved witness must sign the new declaration. However, some organisations that ask for statutory declarations have time limits. To find out if you can use an existing statutory declaration, check with the person who asked you for it.
A statutory declaration is a written statement that you sign and declare to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. You can be charged with a criminal offence if the information is false. There are types of statutory declarations (or stat decs) — Commonwealth and state and territory statutory declarations.
We only give information about Commonwealth statutory declarations. Real Estate, Family Law, Estate Planning, Business Forms and Power of Attorney Forms. The JP Handbook advises that JPs must: Examine the statutory declaration to ensure all annexures to the statutory declaration are referred to in the statutory declaration and clearly marked. Sign and date all annexures. Similarly, a statutory declaration is also a written statement that a person promises is true and must be witnessed by an authorised person.
Although (unlike an affidavit) a statutory declaration is not made by an oath or affirmation, a false statement in a statutory declaration is a criminal offence and may result in a fine or imprisonment. Copies of documents can only be certified by a person authorised to witness a statutory declaration. If you are authorised because of your profession you can witness any statutory declaration , not just those related to your profession. In most cases, witnesses authorised in their profession, but employed in a temporary or casual capacity will be permitted to witness statutory declarations. Who may take a statutory declaration ? Schedule - Authorised witnesses for statutory declarations.
Acknowledgement of Country. The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the lan waters and community. Due to the COVID-response statutory declarations can now be witnessed by a larger group of people. The list of approved witnesses can be found here Complete the relevant statutory declaration for the offence listed on your notice and submit before the notice is due.
If you are a client of Australian Visa Group, you may request our or Migration Agent Perth or Migration Agent Sydney to witness your Statutory Declaration. In response to COVID 1 the State Government has chosen to temporarily expand the categories of persons who can witness a South Australia statutory declaration and this now includes elected members and some council employees. If you are based in Canberra, a Justice of the Peace is available at the following branches of Libraries ACT: Woden. Statutory declarations are commonly used to legally verify names, addresses, lost passports and as evidence to support Australian visa applications. An affidavit is a written statement of fact, confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court proceedings.
It must be witnessed by an approved person. Notary Public Services South Africa. In certain circumstances and on certain other types of documents, a statutory declaration must be used instead to verify the contents. Affidavits need to be verified by oath or by solemn affirmation.
This practice note looks at what is involved in preparing the relevant documents and administering oaths, affirmations and statutory declarations.
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