What we do
The CJPA supports its members who administer Statutory Declarations, Affidavits, and Certified Copies of documents for any member of the public, without charge. For those Justices who are specifically trained, they issue Search Warrants, serve in the District Court as Judicial Justices and some act as Nominated Persons for those youngsters under 18 being interviewed by the Police. During General or Local Body Elections, Justices also act as scrutineers. Members also staff Service Desks in Libraries and Community Centres which are drop-in centres for the public to have documents attested. There are currently 19 in operation in the Canterbury region, covering 6 days of each week
On average, in a 6 month period Justices provide circa 1600 person-hours at these desks to over 10,000 clients and stamp between 25000 and 30,000 certified copies.
Education makes up a significant portion of the Association’s work during the year with regular education sessions within the Christchurch urban area and also to the various districts it covers, including Selwyn, Hurunui, Waimakariri areas.
Our Services
- Certify copies of documents (including email attachments and phone messages).
- Remember to take the original as well as the copy to be certified.
- Visitor sponsorship application
- Kiwisaver withdrawal application
- Citizenship application
- Rates rebate application
Click the button below for an editable statutory declaration form.
- Take oaths, declarations, affidavits or affirmations.
- Witnessing counting of votes at local and parliamentary elections.
- Being a ‘nominated witness’ for police interviews of child / young person and mental health patients.
- Acting as a judge in family courts, traffic courts etc.
- Helping district courts with ‘bail bond process.
- Issuing search warrants used by Police and other law enforcement agencies.
Before your Appointment
It is essential to first contact a JP and seek an appointment. JPs often also use this first contact to guide the client about ‘do and don’ts’, what to bring, etc.
On the other hand, no appointment is needed if you are visiting a JP Service desk. But there may be waiting time if JPs are attending to other clients at the service desk.
You can help your JP by:
Click the button below to download a handy checklist of what to bring with you to your JP appointment.
Our Fees
In New Zealand, unlike some other countries, JPs provide their services absolutely free of charge.
JPs do not receive any remuneration from the government as it is a voluntary community service.
It is important to note that JP services are free irrespective of:
- the residence/citizenship status of their clients
- the volume of work they may do for a member of the community
JPs cannot request or accept any gift, in cash or kind.
FAQ
Some stories from here and there
JP services in Germany are chargeable.
The wait time to see a JP in London was 6 weeks! I sent the documents by courier to New Zealand to have them attended by a JP here.
My passport was ‘washed out’ on the day of travel. I went to a JP and completed a declaration. The airlines, as well as the border control authorities, accepted the declaration – together with the ‘washed out’ passport and allowed the journey to proceed.