Queensland Consolidated Acts

LAND ACT 1994 - SECT 311

311 Witnessing documents for individuals

(1) A person who witnesses a document signed by an individual must—

(a) first take reasonable steps to verify the identity of the individual and ensure the individual is the person entitled to sign the document; and

(b) have the individual sign the document in the presence of the person; and

(c) not be a party to the document.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1) (a) , the person takes reasonable steps to verify the identity of the individual if the person complies with practices included in the manual of land title practice under section 286A (2) for verifying the individual’s identity.

(3) The person must, for 7 years after the person witnesses the signing of the document—

(a) keep a written record of the steps taken under subsection (1) (a) ; or

(b) keep originals or copies of the documents and other evidence provided to or otherwise obtained by the person in complying with subsection (1) (a) .

(4) The registrar of titles may, whether before or after the registration of the document, ask the person—

(a) to advise the registrar about the steps taken by the person under subsection (1) (a) ; and

(b) to produce for the registrar’s inspection the written record mentioned in subsection (3) (a) or the originals or copies mentioned in subsection (3) (b) .

(5) The person must comply with a request under subsection (4) unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Penalty—

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.