Justice of the Peace services
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Important changes to Statutory Declarations for parking offences
Due to a change in legislation, if you were not the driver or did not own the vehicle at the time of a parking offence you can now complete a Nomination Form instead of a Statutory Declaration. The Nomination Form is not required to be witnessed and signed by a Justice of the Peace. Find out more about Nomination Forms at our parking expiation page.
The City of Adelaide provides a complimentary Justice of the Peace (JP) program serviced by volunteers who are appointed by the Attorney General’s Department as JPs in South Australia.
Please note, as this is a volunteer service, we can’t always guarantee JP availability on the day and this is a drop-in service only – You do not need to make a booking.
Cancellations will be noted on this page under the below Locations and Availability.
Alternatively, you can locate a JP in your area by using the Justice of the Peace search.
To help you get your documents witnessed please ensure you:
- Arrive early – there may be high waiting times or queues at certain locations.
- Allow enough time or days to get your documents witnessed as JPs may not always be available.
- Bring photo ID (driver’s licence, passport, student card etc) with you as some documents may require the JP to confirm your identity.
- Read any instructions you have about the forms you want witnessed, to ensure that you bring with you all the required documents. For example, your passport, driver's license, student card, academic record, birth certificate etc.
- If you want the JP to witness your signature on a form e.g. Statutory Declaration you must provide photo ID.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the end of the session. If you arrive close to the service finish time, the JP may not be able to assist you.
Locations and availability
City Library has a high demand JP service and waiting times can vary.
Please note, if there is a high demand for the JP service and you need more than 10 documents witnessed, you may be asked to re-join the queue.
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the session close time.
You do not need to make a booking.
Location
Level 3 Rundle Place, Rundle Mall, Adelaide
Main Entrance: Francis Street (Off Rundle Mall or via Da Costa Arcade).
Availability
Mondays – 10:15 am to 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (JP service 29 April 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm only)
Tuesdays – 10:15 am to 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Wednesdays – 10:15 am to 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Thursdays – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Fridays – 10:15 am to 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Saturdays – 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Sundays – We do not offer JP services on a Sunday
Public holidays – Closed
You do not need to make a booking.
Location
176 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
Availability
Tuesdays – 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Wednesdays – 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Thursdays - 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Fridays – 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Sundays & Public holidays – Closed
You do not need to make a booking.
Location
Availability
Mondays - 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Saturdays - There are no JP services available on Saturday mornings until further notice
Sundays & Public holidays – Closed
There are no JP services available on Saturday mornings until further notice
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
You can locate a JP in your area by using the Justice of the Peace search. This database allows you to search for a JP by name, suburb they work and/reside, their contact number and languages other than English they may speak.
Many JPs will make home visits on request. For more information, please contact the Registrar at Royal Association of Justices of SA on 8297 4044 during office hours (Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm).
In addition to JPs, there are other people who can legally witness a Stat Dec – eg government employees, accountants, religious ministers, medical professionals and bank officers who meet the criteria.
See the full list of authorised witnesses on the Attorney-General's Department website.
A JP acts as an independent and objective witness to documents people use for official or legal purposes. For example, a JP may:
- certify a true copy of an original document
- certify a person's identity
- witness an affidavit for use in court
- witness a statutory declaration
- witness the signing of a document.
A JP cannot provide you with any legal advice.
Depending on what you need there may be different documents you need to bring, so we suggest you contact the agency or organisation requiring you to get the form witnessed.
Most documents (except certifying copies of documents) require the JP to verify your identity. Please ensure you bring photo identification (drivers’ licence, passport, student card etc) with you.
Many documents (eg police checks) require a 100-point ID check to be made by the JP. Please ensure you read your forms and bring the required documentation with you.
Do not sign any of your documents – you may complete the details required but if the document needs to be witnessed, declared or sworn the JP must complete what is required and must personally see you sign it.
There is no limit but if there is a high demand for the JP service and you have more than 10 documents that need witnessing, you may be asked to re-join the queue.
We suggest you arrive early and have enough time to get your documents witnessed as JPs may not always be available or there may be high waiting times at certain locations.
No. The Justices of the Peace Regulations 2021 states “A justice must not provide legal advice when acting in their capacity as a justice”.
Free legal information and advice can be received from the Legal Services Commission legal help line on 1300 366 424 (Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm).
No. This is because the training and experience of a Notary Public is as a Senior Lawyer, capable of giving opinions on matters of law which a JP is not.
A list of South Australian Notaries (by area) can be found on the Notaries Society website.
For your convenience, photocopying, printing and scanning is available at all Adelaide City Libraries.
The copying machines are self-service and operate using your library card and value is added to the card using a dispenser near the copier.
Guest tickets may also be purchased for printing services. For additional assistance and information please ask a staff member.
Charges for photocopying and printing from computers are as follows (per page):
A4 size B&W: $0.15
A4 size colour: $2.00
A3 size B&W: $0.30
A3 size colour: $4.00