11/03/2026
Responsibilities of Justices of the Peace
Justice are available at Kumeu Library Saturday morning between 10 am and noon.
There is no charge nor appointments needed for this service
Whilst J.P.s are not legal advisers ,there are some legal processes that a J.P. can assist with and save people having to visit lawyers.
A J.P. can witness signatures on documents and certify copies of documents as true copies of the originals or images/texts viewable on a computer or smartphone screen. They also take declarations for documents requiring a Statutory Declaration and oaths or affirmations on court related documents requiring an affidavit.
They can also officiate at Citizenship ceremonies.
Some of the documents commonly presented requiring Statutory Declarations relate to immigration matters such as sponsorship, bank documents, change of name, KiwiSaver withdrawals, insurance clams rate rebates applications, etc Certification of photos as being a true likeness are common as is certifying that people receiving overseas pensions are still alive.
There are some things people needing a J.P. need to note. If they want a printed copy of an original to be certified they must bring the original with them, or be able to show it on their smartphone screen.
For Affidavits or Statutory Declaration.
The person making the declaration must be present. You cannot do this for someone else.
Bring your Driver Licence or passport with you so the J.P. can confirm you are the person making the declaration.
Do NOT SIGN the form before you come as you must do this in front of the J.P.
Jim Coward J.P.
