Find a Justice of the Peace (JP)

Locating a Justice of the Peace

JPs offer their time voluntarily.

There are two ways to access the services of a JP, you can:

• contact an individual JP located in your local area
• attend a Document Signing Station (DSS).

A Document Signing Station is located in a public space such as a police station, library or council office. JPs are rostered to attend the DSS and you are welcome to attend during the specified hours of operations without an appointment.

• Find a JP in your local area
• Find a Document Signing Station 

Services JPs can provide

A JP is trained to act as independent and objective witness to documents used for official or legal purposes and can assist you by:

• attesting the execution of a document
• witnessing a statutory declaration
• witnessing an affidavit for use in court
• certifying true copies of an original document
• certifying a person's identity.

Before meeting with a JP or visiting a DSS

• Ensure that a Victorian JP is authorised to witness your documents.
• All JPs have indicated when they are available. Please check their availability before contacting them directly. 
• Advise the JP in advance if you have a large amount of documents for witnessing or certifying (you may have to make an appointment).
• Have all your paperwork ready for the JP, ensuring that your documents are not pre-signed.
• Be mindful that JPs do not provide legal advice.
• Note that JPs are not a Notary Public.

Fees and charges

Justices of the Peace cannot charge for their services.

Authorised witnesses

Refer to the lists of authorised witnesses for persons who can witness statutory declarations and persons who can receive affidavits according to the Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1958.

Guideline on the handling of complaints against Honorary Justices

To lodge a complaint about a Justice of the Peace or Bail Justice, complete a complaint form and send by post, email or fax to the addresses below: 

Honorary Justice Services Support
GPO Box 4356
Melbourne VIC 3001

Email:  HJSScomplaints@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)

Honorary Justice Services Support is committed to ensuring that a complaint is resolved fairly and as soon as practicable.

For detailed information, read the Guideline on the handling of complaints against Honorary Justices, which deals with complaints against Victorian Bail Justices and Justices of the Peace.  

Code of conduct for Honorary Justices in Victoria

The Code of Conduct for Honorary Justices (External link) provides concise statements around the expectations of Justices of the Peace, Bail Justices and acting Bail Justices in terms of their conduct and integrity, knowledge and competency, conflicts of interest, and requirements about notifications to the department.