Preparing for Your Visit

What to bring

To have a document certified, please bring:

• The original document(s).
  • We can certify printouts of some digital documents, but we will need to see you access the original on your phone/laptop from the original source (e.g. an email, official website, etc.).
  • We cannot accept scans or photographs of physical documents as originals.
• The copy or copies you want certified.
• Although not mandatory, current ID is preferred.

If your document has special certification requirements, please bring the instructions with you.

Things to watch out for:

• Some forms require the certifier to have known you for a period of time. We cannot certify these forms.
• Incomplete/cropped copies: make sure no substantive part of the document is missing from the copy (e.g. serial number, name, etc.).
  • There are (limited) circumstances when we can still certify these, but they will not be complete copies.
• Mismatched original and copy: documents issued on different dates which look similar (e.g. utility bills) can delay or prevent certification.

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Common Questions

Can you certify digital documents?

We can certify printouts of some digital documents, but we will need to see the original on your phone/laptop including where it came from (e.g. an email or official website).

Can you certify scans or photographs of physical documents?

No. We cannot accept scans or photographs of physical documents as originals.

What if the printed document is different to my original, but the details I need certified are the same?

Generally, no, because we are certifying that a document is a copy of another. A common exception to this is when a digital document is generated by the website. In these situations, we can usually certify the printout even if it's from an earlier "version", provided that all the other information is identical. Examples include unofficial academic transcripts and digital bank account statements, which might have a different date or version number each time they are generated, but the substantive details remain the same.

Can you certify documents in other languages?

Yes, we can. Please allow additional time for languages written in scripts the JP or Cdec isn't familiar with (e.g. a document in a non-Latin text being certified by someone who can only read English), as it will take longer to verify the correctness of the copy.

Can you certify a document for a partner, relative, or friend?

Yes, provided you provide the original and the copies to be certified. Because we are only certifying that one document is a copy of another, the document owner doesn't need to be the one to bring it to us.

Can you make copies for me?

No, you must bring all the copies you need certified with you.

Can I make copies at the site?

No, there are no photocopying facilities available at the site.

What to bring

To have a statutory declaration witnessed, please bring:

• The completed but unsigned statutory declaration form.
• Any annexures/exhibits/attachments referenced in your declaration.
  • These must be present when you sign the declaration
  • To save time, please refer to each attachment by a letter or number ( e.g. Attachment A, B, ...) in your declaration
• ID is mandatory for a statutory declaration.
• If the document is exclusively in a non-English language, an interpreter is usually required.
  • Documents with a mixture of English and non-English text usually do not require an interpreter.
• An interpreter if required

Things to watch out for:

• Ensure all annexures/exhibits/attachments referenced in your statement are present when you sign the declaration.
• Special requirements for certain statutory declarations:
  • Some statutory declarations require the witness to have known you for a period of time. We cannot witness these declarations.
  • Some statutory declarations have additional witnessing requirements (e.g. additional signatories, special wording). Please bring any instructions with you.

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Common Questions

Do you have blank forms?

Yes, we carry blank Queensland and Commonwealth statutory declaration forms. If you need one, please ask for one before joining the queue.

Can I sign for someone else?

Yes, but only if it is a Queensland statutory declaration and both you and the declarant are present.

At this time, Commonwealth statutory declarations can only be signed by the declarant.

I've made a mistake on my declaration, can I cross it out?

You may make corrections to the contents of a declaration at any time before signing as follows:

1. Place a line through the erroneous text.
2. Insert the correction.
3. Initial the correction – your JP or Cdec will do this too.

Do this for each correction you need to make.

Can I use whiteout or corrective tape?

No. A declaration which contains white-out or other forms of correctional fluid/tape will be rejected by the JP or Cdec.

Can you witness digital documents?

Only if it is a Commonwealth statutory declaration, and only if reasonable steps are taken to ensure the document cannot be altered after signing.

Currently, our site is not equipped with the resources required to digitally sign documents in a secure manner; in most cases, we will not be able to assist you.

JPs at this signing site cannot witness Queensland statutory declarations electronically.

Can you witness my declaration over a video call?

If it is a Commonwealth statutory declaration, then (legally) yes. However, you will need to transmit a copy of the document to the JP or Cdec, who will then need to sign it.

Unfortunately, our site is not currently equipped with the resources required to print or digitally sign documents; in most cases, we will not be able to assist you.

JPs at this signing site cannot witness Queensland statutory declarations by video link.

What to bring

To have an affidavit witnessed, you will need:

• The affidavit (or form, if it is part of a form) completed (but unsigned).
• Any annexures/exhibits/attachments referenced in your affidavit.
  • These must be present when you sign the affidavit.
  • To save time, please refer to each attachment by a letter or number ( e.g. Attachment A, B, ...) in your affidavit.
  • If you do not have exhibit certificates for your annexures, the JP or Cdec will stamp an exhibit certificate on each attachment when you sign.
• If making an oath, the appropriate items for it to be administered – see below.
• No items are required if making a solemn affirmation instead of an oath.
• ID is mandatory for an affidavit.

Required items for various oaths

If you do not bring the appropriate items, the JP or Cdec will administer a solemn affirmation instead. This does not affect the legal validity of your affidavit, or your responsibility to tell the truth.

What to bring

To have a Titles Registry form witnessed, please bring:

• The completed but unsigned Titles Registry form.
• The appropriate supporting material for the type of form you are signing.
  • Please refer to the Titles Registry website for more information on what supporting material is required for your specific form.
• ID is mandatory for Titles Registry forms
  • Refer to the Land Title Practice Manual Part 61 (page 61-21) for minimum document requirements.
  • As a courtesy, an extract is available by clicking here (current as at 1 August 2025 – see the Manual for the authoritative version).

If you do not bring the required documentation we legally cannot witness your form.

Things to watch out for:

• Incomplete forms – ensure all required fields are filled out correctly.
• Incorrect property details – double-check the property Title Reference and Lot on Plan Description match the property.
• Missing documentation of your entitlement to sign – you must provide evidence of your entitlement to sign the document, such as (but not limited to) a:
  • recent (within 3 months) Rates Notice
  • recent (within 3 months) Title Search
  • offer of loan showing property details
  • signed sale contract or lease agreement (note that the Titles Registry Lease form is not sufficient evidence of entitlement to sign on its own)
  • probate notice or certified court order
  If you’re unsure, ask the Titles Registry what they require, or seek independent legal advice.
• Expired ID documents – except for an Australian Passport (which must not have expired more than two (2) years ago), all ID documents must be current (not expired).

What to bring

To have an enduring document witnessed, please bring:

• The completed but unsigned enduring document.
• ID is mandatory for enduring documents.
• An independent interpreter if required.
  • Family members who stand to benefit from the document or are appointed as attorneys under the document are not acceptable interpreters.
  • Other family members may be acceptable. Your JP or Cdec will make this determination based on the circumstances.

Things to watch out for:

• Ensure all pages are present and correctly ordered.
• If executing an Advance Health Directive, ensure a medical practitioner has completed the Section 5: Doctor Certificate on page 8.
• Ensure all attorneys are eligible for the powers granted to them under the document.

Our ability to assist with documents in languages other than English depends on the document itself.

Non-English languages in an English form

We can usually witness signatures on standard forms even if the contents are not in English, such as statutory declarations, affidavits, and contracts.

Documents with a mix of English and non-English

We can usually witness signatures on these documents, provided the English text is sufficient to identify the purpose of the document and its requirements.

Documents exclusively in a non-English language

We can usually certify copies of documents in any language provided you have the original.

If your document requires witnessing, then an independent interpreter will be required. JPs and Cdecs may refuse to witness a document under certain circumstances, including if they cannot ascertain its purpose. Documents in languages a JP or Cdec cannot understand, and which cannot be translated, may be refused.

At QEII, independent interpreters are mandatory for enduring documents and wills. A family member who benefits from a will or is appointed as an attorney under an enduring document is not an acceptable interpreter. Family members who don't fall under these categories might be acceptable. Your JP or Cdec will make this determination based on the circumstances.

We can usually witness signatures on documents intended for use in other Australian states and territories, provided they do not have special witnessing requirements which prevent us from assisting you.

If you wish to be certain, contact the receiving party and ask if a Queensland JP or Cdec can witness the document.

Our ability to assist with documents intended for use outside Australia is extremely limited. As a general rule, documents requiring certification or witnessing for use overseas will need to be notarised by a notary public. They may also require an apostille.

Some jurisdictions may accept documents witnessed or certified by a Queensland JP or Cdec. You should seek clarification from the party receiving your document.

If you’re unsure, ask the organisation requesting the document what they require, or seek independent legal advice.

In general, unless we know our certification will not be accepted, we will proceed if you ask us to, once we explain all of the above to you.