The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and National Boards have updated their guidelines for  certifying documents and photo IDs needed for registering or managing a registration with their agency.

JPs must follow the AHPRA instructions when witnessing copies of original documents or documents with a photograph needed to apply for APPRA registration.

Certifying documents - instructions for applicants

Documents that do not contain a photograph

AHPRA will accept wording that is:

• substantially the same as their guidelines
• standard wording contained in the JP Handbook edition 3.0 ‘I certify that this is a true and correct copy of the original document sighted by me this ___ day of ___

Documents with a photograph

SA JPs can use the same wording as above but must also include a handwritten statement confirming ‘the photograph is a true likeness of the person presenting the document to me’ or similar.

Changes have been made for witnessing Titles Registry forms executed under section 162 of the Queensland Land Titles Act 1994 and section 113 of the Land Act 1994. 

It is mandatory for JPs to retain a written record for 7 years from the date of witnessing. It needs to show how you verified the signatory's identity and their entitlement to sign the form. After 7 years, you can securely destroy the record. 

Make sure you are familiar with the witnessing requirements and obligations  in Part 61, paragraph 2330 of the Land Title Practice Manual (Queensland).

When witnessing the form, you must use the Record of QLD Titles Registry forms template (PDF 152KB) 

For further information, contact the Queensland Titles Registry on 1300 255 750 or email titlesinfo [at] dnrme.qld.gov.au

Applications for teacher registration

A minimum for four ID documents are needed for applications for teacher registration. 

JPs will need to witness the statutory declaration on page 4 of the application form (under section 8) You must also certify the copies of ID documents. Applicants have been asked to have their original documents ready to present to the JP, along with the copies that will be certified. 

An extra line has been added in the statutory declaration area, 'I verify that all the photographs contained within the documents certified by me are, to the best of my ability, photographs of the applicant.'

Contact the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia on 8253 9700. 

Renewals

Before a teacher’s registration expires, they can apply to renew it for a further 3 years.  

Teachers must photocopy a photo ID into the box provided on the Linkage Verification Form. This form must be taken to a JP with their original identity document. 

The JP must stamp and certify the copy of the ID in the box and  complete the verification statement at the bottom of the form. 

The same JP must sign the certification of the ID and statement.

Teachers Registration Board of South Australia website

If a JP is asked to witness a statutory declaration which refers to an  attachment the JP must sight the attachments and  ensure it is clearly marked.

Refer to pages 61-63 of the JP Handbook regarding  how you  must witness statutory declarations.

Contact Justice of the Peace Services on 131 882 or email jpservices [at] sa.gov.au if you have any questions.