Justice of the Peace (JP) services are available at Northern Beaches Library branches.
Service times may be subject to late changes, so we encourage you to double check the online JP calendar on the day you plan to visit. No bookings are required for this service.
A Justice of the Peace is legally authorised to witness statutory declarations, affidavits and to certify copies of original documents.
Our Justice of the Peace service is a voluntary service provided at Council Customer Service locations, from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, subject to availability.
Page limit
There is a limit of 10 pages per customer.
If you have more than 10 pages, please refer to the Library Service, JP website or Service NSW for alternative service.
Witnessing of Proof of Life or Overseas Pension documents
These are not done by JPs. Please refer to Centrelink.
Paper Certified Copies
Please provide the photocopy/copies and the original document for comparison.
Electronic Certified Copies
For electronic originals such as an email or attachment to an email, forward the email directly to the organisation that requested the certified copy. It is then up to that organisation to decide whether or not to accept the forwarded document.
Alternatively, prepare a statutory declaration. Attach the copy/s of the printed document as an annexure and declare (see below) that it is a true copy of the original that exists only in electronic form.
Affidavits
Please bring:
- appropriate identification such as photo identification or a passport
- all documents pertaining to the affidavit.
Ensure you have read and you understand the document.
Affidavits must be signed in front of a JP. Please do not sign beforehand.
JPs do not have any legal training and all documents will be assessed by the volunteer at the time.
Statutory Declarations
Please bring:
- appropriate identification such as photo identification or a passport
- all documents pertaining to the statutory declaration
Ensure you have read and you understand the document.
Statutory declarations must be signed in front of a JP. Please do not sign beforehand.
JPs do not have any legal training and all documents will be assessed by the volunteer at the time.
Witness of Signature
JPs can only witness a signature if the document relates to a NSW Act or Regulation.
Please ensure you check your documents for a NSW Act or Regulation and if it is not present please refer back to the document's issuing authority.
If the document does not relate to a NSW Act or Regulation, any person over the age of 18 is eligible to sign the document. It is preferable to have someone who knows you to witness these for you; friend, neighbour. Northern Beaches Council Customer Service Officers do not provide this service.
Prohibited Documents
The NSW Department of Communities & Justice prohibits New South Wales Justices of the Peace from witnessing/certifying any of the following documents.
- Enduring Powers of Attorney
- Laminated Citizenship Certificates
- Queensland Land Title Documents
- Proof of Life forms (these can be witnessed at any Centrelink office)
- True likeness to a photograph
Library Services
Dee Why, Forestville, Glen Street, Manly and Warringah Mall Libraries offer a free volunteer Justice of the Peace (JP) service at certain times.
