:: Frequently Asked Questions

		Before whom may statutory declarations be made in Immigration matters?
		Who can certify copies of documents as being true copies?
		How should I communicate with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection?

Before whom may statutory declarations be made in Immigration matters?

Click here for the list taken from the Commonwealth Statutory Declarations Regulations.

^ top

Who can certify copies of documents as being true copies?

Regulations made under the Migration Act 1958 provide that the following persons may certify in writing that a copy of an original document is a true copy:

-	a Justice of the Peace; or
-	Commissioner for Declarations; or
-	a person before whom a statutory declaration may be made under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 ; or
-	if the copy is to be certified in a place outside Australia — a person who is the equivalent of a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for Declarations in that place.

Click here for the list of persons before whom a statutory declaration may be made.

^ top

How should I communicate with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection?

Regulation 2.13 of the Migration Regulations sets out in some detail how communications must be made with the department.

As a general rule, communications must be in writing.

However communication may be oral if the communication is about:

-	an application for a bridging visa; or
-	(enquiry about the stage reached in the consideration of a visa application; or
-	an oral application; or
-	a communication about an application for an Electronic Travel Authority (Class UD) visa.
-	a communication about an application for an Electronic Travel Authority (Class UD) visa.

Written communications must include:

-	applicant's full name, as set out in the application; and
-	the applicant's date of birth; and
-	one of the following:
	(i)	the applicant's client number;
	(ii)	the Immigration file number;
	(iii)	the number of the receipt issued by Immigration when the visa application was made; and
-	if the application was made outside Australia, the name of the office at which the application was given to the Minister.

^ top