As circumstances in NSW continue to change a number of JPs and JP scheduled desk locations may not be operating or may operate under changed hours. Please contact the JP or service desk location first before attending to ensure they are providing services.
The Department currently recommends the use of Audio Visual Link to perform JP services remotely where possible. Please click on the factsheet Witnessing legal documents remotely – Justices of the Peace factsheet.
Official information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the NSW Government can be found here.
Justice of the Peace Handbook 2022
The new Justice of the Peace (JP) Handbook is now available!
The revised JP Handbook details new processes such as enabling legal documents to be witnessed remotely via audio visual technology and changes to acceptable forms of identity to include Digital Driver License, plus additional information to improve accessibility for people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
You can download a free copy of the complete handbook or download it in sections from The Role of JPs page.
You can purchase a printed copy of the new JP Handbook through your JP Online account.
We would recommend JPs to take the time to read the new handbook, before they perform their functions as a JP.
Justices of the Peace (JPs) are volunteers appointed by the Governor of New South Wales. The primary role of a JP is to witness a person making a statutory declaration or affidavit, and to certify copies of original documents. JPs come from all sections of the community and are available across NSW.