Witnessing Documents

On 1 January 2006 the Parliament of Western Australia proclaimed the Oaths, Affidavits and Statutory Declarations Act 2005 which made changes to the manner in which oaths, affidavits and statutory declarations are administered and witnessed.

Under the new legislation more than 40 occupational groups are able to witness statutory declarations, including teachers, engineers, doctors and public servants. This change means the role of commissioner for declarations no longer exists.

Affidavits (including Family Court documents) can only be witnessed by a justice of the peace, lawyer or public notary.

The Department of the Attorney General would like to thank all former commissioners for declarations for the long-standing service they have provided to the Western Australian community.

Professions that can now witness statutory declarations include:

• Academic {post-secondary institution}
• Accountant
• Architect
• Australian Consular Officer
• Australian Diplomatic Officer
• Bailiff
• Bank Manager
• Chartered secretary
• Chemist
• Chiropractor
• Company auditor or liquidator
• Court officer {Judge, magistrate, registrar or clerk}
• Defence Force officer
• Dentist
• Doctor
• Electorate Officer {State – WA only}
• Engineer
• Industrial organisation secretary
• Insurance broker
• Justice of the Peace {any State}
• Lawyer
• Local government CEO or deputy CEO
• Local government councillor
• Loss adjuster
• Marriage Celebrant
• Member of Parliament {State or Commonwealth}
• Minister of religion
• Nurse
• Optometrist
• Patent Attorney
• Physiotherapist
• Podiatrist
• Police officer
• Post Officer manager
• Psychologist
• Public Notary,
• Public Servant {State or Commonwealth}
• Real Estate agent
• Settlement agent
• Sheriff or deputy Sheriff
• Surveyor
• Teacher
• Tribunal officer
• Veterinary surgeon

For further information on commissioners for declarations or witnessing documents please contact (08) 9425 2896.

• Professions that can Witness Statutory Declarations - including Formal Description

Information for Authorised Witnesses on how to certify documents and witness a statutory declaration can be downloaded below.

For a copy of the Oaths, Affidavits and Statutory Declarations Act 2005 go to www.slp.wa.gov.au.

Last Updated: 3-Dec-2010

 downloads

     Statutory Declaration

     Statutory Declaration

     How to Witness a Statutory Declaration

     Certifying Copies of Documents

Click file to download