Victoria
Witnessing statutory declarations and affidavits in Victoria
A Victorian statutory declaration or affidavit, witnessed over a video call by an Australian legal practitioner, usually in about ten minutes. Book a time or connect on demand.
From $39 per document, booked or on demand. Sessions run weekdays 12:15pm – 1:30pm and 5:30pm – 9:00pm, Saturdays 9:00am – 6:30pm and Sundays 9:00am – 8:30pm, Brisbane time. Outside those hours you can book ahead.
The law that applies
Documents made under Victorian law are witnessed under the Oaths and Affirmations Act 2018 (Vic).
Victoria is one of the jurisdictions that has made permanent provision for witnessing by audio-visual link. The provisions generally require the witness to observe the signing in real time, to be satisfied that the document signed is the same document, and to endorse the document with a statement identifying the method of witnessing. The practitioner does all three on the call, and the endorsement is applied before you download the document.
Western Australia and Tasmania are the two jurisdictions that have not legislated to permit witnessing by audio-visual link, so we do not witness documents made under their law. Victoria is not one of them.
A substantial proportion of statutory declarations are made under Commonwealth law rather than state or territory law, including declarations for federal departments and agencies, Services Australia, the Australian Taxation Office, immigration matters and superannuation. If yours is one of those, read the Commonwealth guide instead.
Who may witness it
Your document is witnessed by an Australian legal practitioner. A legal practitioner is an authorised witness for statutory declarations and affidavits in every jurisdiction we cover, including when witnessing by audio-visual link.
The witness should also be independent of the document. Somebody with an interest in the outcome is not a suitable choice, even where they hold an appointment that would otherwise qualify them.
Legislation
The Acts referred to above. Where we hold a verified government link we have used it. The rest are cited in full so you can find the current version yourself rather than relying on a copy of it somewhere else.
What we witness, and what we refuse
Statutory Declaration
A written statement you declare to be true. Common for insurance, super, government forms and identity matters.
Affidavit
A sworn or affirmed written statement for use in court or tribunal proceedings.
Contract or Deed
A commercial agreement or deed that needs a witness to its execution. Tell us what it relates to next.
Something else
Bank forms, statements, insurance paperwork, licensing forms and the like. If the practitioner can't witness it, the session ends and you aren't charged.
Documents we will not witness online
- Wills & Codicils
- We don't witness wills or codicils online. Please see a solicitor or JP in person.
- Powers of Attorney
- We don't witness powers of attorney online. Please see a solicitor or JP in person.
- Health & Advance Care Directives
- We don't witness advance health or care directives online. Please see a solicitor or JP in person.
- Land Title & Property Registry Forms
- We don't witness land title or property registry instruments online. Please see a solicitor or JP in person.
For any of those, see a witness in person. We also witness your signature only. We do not advise you on whether what you have written is correct, or whether the document is the right one for what you are trying to do.
How it works, start to finish
Step 1
Tell us which law applies
Pick the state or territory the document is made under, and what kind of document it is. That decides the endorsement the practitioner has to apply.
Step 2
Go now, or book a time
On demand connects you to whoever is free, usually within a few minutes. Booking lets you pick a slot, from 30 minutes ahead.
Step 3
Upload it, and fill it in
Drag in a PDF, or photograph a paper document with your phone. Complete the blanks on screen, but do not sign anything yet.
Step 4
Prove who you are
Photograph the front and back of a physical Australian driver licence, or the photo page of a passport, and take a selfie. The practitioner checks these against you live.
Step 5
Sign on camera, then download
The practitioner watches you sign, signs as your witness, and applies the endorsement. You pay afterwards and download the witnessed PDF straight away.
The full walkthrough, including what to do when something goes wrong, is on the support page.
Common questions
- Can a Victorian statutory declaration be witnessed over a video call?
- Yes. Victoria is one of the jurisdictions that has made permanent provision for witnessing by audio-visual link. The practitioner observes the signing in real time, is satisfied that the document signed is the same document, and endorses it with a statement identifying the method of witnessing.
- How do I know whether my document is made under Victorian law?
- It is usually the state or territory of the court or government body the document is going to, or the state you live in. It is not necessarily where you happen to be sitting when you sign. If you are not sure, choose the closest option when you start and say so on the call, and the practitioner will confirm it before anything is signed.
- Who actually witnesses the document?
- An Australian legal practitioner, on a live video call. A legal practitioner is an authorised witness for statutory declarations and affidavits in every jurisdiction we cover. The practitioner confirms who you are and which document you are signing, watches you sign it on screen, and then signs as your witness and adds the witnessing endorsement for your jurisdiction.
- What does it cost, and when are you open?
- A flat $39 per document, whether you book a slot or connect on demand. Sessions run weekdays 12:15pm – 1:30pm and 5:30pm – 9:00pm, Saturdays 9:00am – 6:30pm and Sundays 9:00am – 8:30pm, Brisbane time, and the earliest you can book is 30 minutes ahead. You pay after the document is witnessed, and there is no charge if it isn't. Not every slot is available, so check the calendar.
- What do I need to have ready?
- Your document as a PDF or Word file and unsigned, a physical Australian driver licence, Australian passport or foreign passport, a device with a camera and a microphone, and about ten minutes somewhere you can be seen and heard. Do not sign the document beforehand: the signature has to be made while the practitioner is watching.
- Which Victorian documents will you not witness?
- We do not witness wills or codicils, enduring powers of attorney, advance care or health directives, or land title and property registry instruments. For those, see a solicitor or JP in person.
This page is general information about how these documents work. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for advice on your own circumstances. We witness your signature; we do not advise you on the document.
Other jurisdictions
- CommonwealthStatutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth)
- QueenslandOaths Act 1867 (Qld)
- New South WalesElectronic Transactions Act 2000 (NSW)
- South AustraliaOaths Act 1936 (SA)
- Australian Capital TerritoryStatutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth)
- Northern TerritoryOaths, Affidavits and Declarations Act 2010 (NT)
Western Australia and Tasmania are not covered, because neither state has legislated to permit witnessing by audio-visual link. We have set out the position in each in detail, including the reason a resident of either can still make a Commonwealth statutory declaration by video link.
Need it witnessed today?
An Australian legal practitioner, on a video call, in about ten minutes. You pay after it is done, and there is no charge if we cannot help.