Skip to content
An ACT Government Website
Accessibility
Contact us ACT Digital Account
Accessibility Contact us ACT Digital Account

Justice of the Peace

Justices of the Peace (JP) in the ACT are appointed by the Minister under the Justices of the Peace Act 1989.

Role of a JP

JPs serve different roles in different jurisdictions.

JPs in the ACT serve the community primarily by:

  • administering oaths or affidavits, witnessing statutory declarations and taking affirmations
  • witnessing signatures
  • attesting and certifying documents.

For more information, read the Justices of the Peace (Role) Guideline 2016.

Find a JP

You can find an ACT Justice of the Peace by:

The ACT JP Association also maintains a list of JP Signing Centres and their opening hours on their website.

View the ACT JP Association website.

Becoming a Justice of the Peace

Eligibility

A person is eligible to be appointed as a JP if the person meets the suitability conditions listed in the:

How to apply

Applying to become a Justice of the Peace involves meeting certain criteria, proving your residency, police checks and character references.

Before applying to become a Justice of the Peace, read the Justice of the Peace practice manual (PDF 170KB).

The manual explains:

  • individual requirements for being a Justice of the Peace
  • the documentation you need for your application
  • the privacy and conflict of interest matters you should consider before applying.

Application steps

The application process is as follows:

  1. Apply to Access Canberra.
  2. Access Canberra will assess your application to see if you’re eligible to become a JP. It you are suitable they will notify the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) that you’re eligible to do the training course.
  3. Enrol in and complete the course and examination.
  4. CIT will inform Access Canberra of the outcome. Access Canberra will brief the Attorney-General who will then consider your Justice of the Peace application.
  5. If approved by the Attorney-General, you’ll be appointed at a swearing-in ceremony at the ACT Supreme court.

Access Canberra application

Apply to Access Canberra online. If you can’t use the online form, contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

To apply to Access Canberra:

  1. Use the Application to become a Justice of the Peace form.
  2. Upload your:
  • photo ID (driver licence or current passport)
  • Australian Birth Certificate, or Citizenship Certificate if you were born outside Australia
  • if applicable, a Marriage certificate or other proof you’ve changed your name
  • proof you’re an ACT resident
  • a Name only AFP National Police Check certificate (no more than 2 months old)
  • Three character references addressing your suitability for appointment as a Justice of the Peace. Your character referees must be ACT residents who have known you for at least 12 months. All references must be signed and dated within the last 3 months.

Documents that you can use to prove your ACT residency include:

  • a current residential tenancy agreement
  • a rates notice, electricity account or telephone account, paid within 3 months prior of your application
  • a taxation notice less than 12 months old
  • a bank statement showing transactions for at least 3 months prior to your application
  • a current social security card
  • a rates notice or electricity account for a resident of a rural area in the ACT that identifies the property
  • records showing attendance of the person in the ACT for their employment.

Residency exemption

If you can demonstrate you attend the ACT and can undertake the duties of a JP in the ACT, you can request exemption from the permanent ACT resident requirement.

This exemption is typically for people who live in close surroundings close to the ACT and work in the ACT, or who can provide JP services in the ACT.

The Attorney-General grants exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

Training at CIT

Access Canberra will assess your application to determine your eligibility to do the training course, ‘LEGL222 – Non-Accredited Training – Justice of the Peace’.

If you’re eligible, we’ll tell CIT and you’ll be able to enrol.

CIT offers the training on a ‘by demand’ basis. You can register your interest and CIT will notify you when a course is scheduled.

View LEGL222 – Non-Accredited Training – Justice of the Peace course on the CIT website.

Once you’ve completed the course and passed the examination, CIT will tell Access Canberra.

Access Canberra will then brief the Attorney-general who will then consider your application.

Training exemption

You can request exemption from the training if you can demonstrate you have been a JP in another state or territory, or that you have the relevant skills and qualifications to perform the duties.

The Attorney-General grants exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

Contact jp@act.gov.au for more information.

Swearing in ceremony

If approved, applicants are formally appointed as Justices of the Peace at a brief swearing-in ceremony. Ceremonies are limited to 22 recipients.

The ACT Supreme Court both holds and schedules the ceremonies. Access Canberra will contact you with the date for your ceremony.

Justices of the Peace public register

Once appointed, your details will be added to the online public register for Justices of the Peace.

This makes it easy for people to find a JP.

Update your details or resign

You can update your contact details or address online, in person, by phone or email:

If your change your name after becoming a JP:

  1. Use the Apply, Change Name or Resign form
  2. Upload the evidence of name change that applies to you:
    • marriage certificate
    • birth certificate
    • change of name certificate.

If you wish to resign your commission as a JP:

  1. Use the Apply, Change Name or Resign form
  2. Give your reasoning for resigning. Reasons could include:
    • you can no longer accommodate demands for your services
    • you intend to reside outside the ACT for a period of more than 12 months
    • you no longer wish to hold the office.