Witnessing Statutory Declarations
On 18 September 2018, changes to the Statutory Regulations 2018 commenced which included financial planners/advisers as professionals permitted to act as authorised witnesses for a Commonwealth statutory declaration.
As an authorised witness you must ensure any Statutory Declaration you witness meets the form and content requirements that are set out in Schedule 1 of the Regulations. Practical tips for ensuring you witness a valid Statutory Declaration are detailed in the FAQ’s on the Attorney-General’s Department website – have all your questions answered including:
- What address do I need to provide on my statutory declaration?
- Can I make a statutory declaration in a language other than English?
- How do I make a statutory declaration when I am not physically able to sign?
- What information should be included in my statutory declaration?
- Should a statutory declaration be typed or handwritten?
- What requirements apply to attachments to statutory declarations?
- How do I amend a statutory declaration? Are there time limits?
- Can I draft my own statutory declaration form or make changes to the standard form?
- What should I do if my statutory declaration goes over multiple pages?
- What information should be included in my statutory declaration?
This is a very positive outcome for both consumers and planners, and ends a 10 year campaign by the FPA. It creates a more cost effective, efficient and appropriate mechanism for clients who need documents witnessed. It is also significant government recognition of and trust in the financial planning profession, with financial planners/advisers given equal permission as lawyers, medical practitioners and justices of the peace.