In Australia: how to get statutory declarations & certified copies?

I am handing in papers to the department of immigration (DIMIA) and they require certified copies of passports and statutory declarations from relevant people (including myself). As all my paperwork was previously done abroad, I don't know where / how to get these papers certified / validated here in Australia. Does one just walk into a police station and ask for their signatures? Or a post office?

If using a migration agent they can certify true copies for Department of immigration and citizenship. Also Chemists,doctors,bank managers,post offices in fact list is available from DIAC (DIMIA Changed 30jan2007). to get certification of copies you must also present original document

you need a justice of the peace... many bank mgrs qualify (not all but most) or pharmacy where drugs are made should be able to help you

You're going to need a Justice of the Peace. You can score blank Stat Decs (as they're commonly known) in any good newsagency or stationary shop. I'd recommend getting a blank Australian Passport application (you can get one of these from any post office) which has a fabulous list of who can sign for a passport and they're often JPs as well.

The best place to find a JP is in your local court house. Ask at the front reception and they'll direct you to the right human. The JPs are sworn not to reveal anything they see on forms that they're signing and they are NOT allowed to charge for their service - which is usually just a signature, name and address anyway. My dad's been one for years and he does a couple of hours a week as a volunteer at his local Library in Sydney.

Certified copies are simple photocopies with a JPs signature as far as I'm aware - but I'd check that out with DIMIA first...rather than getting the wrong thing and then having to go back again!

Finally, try doing a search on Google. There may be a resource there.

Hope this helps!


Love and Light,

Jarrah

go to a post office or newsagents to get the relevant official papers and then go to a police station or justice of the peace to get it signed