:: 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 Citizenship?

Before whom may statutory declarations be made in Immigration matters?

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

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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.

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How should I communicate with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship?

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

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.

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