Notarial Services
British Columbia lawyers are also notaries public and may administer oaths, take affidavits and statutory declarations, witness signatures and certify copies of documents.
We provide notarial services by appointment at our Invermere and Golden offices. For clients with mobility limitations, we can arrange to provide notarial services at their home, care facility or another suitable location.
Documents We Commonly Notarize
Our notarial services include:
- Affidavits
- Statutory declarations
- Certified true copies
- Travel-consent letters
- Identity documents
- Insurance and pension documents
- Documents relating to estates
- Authorizations and declarations
- Documents intended for use outside Canada
- Witnessing signatures on other documents where appropriate
Not every document can or should be notarized in the same manner. Please send us a copy in advance if the document contains unusual instructions, is written in another language or will be used outside Canada.
What to Bring
For your appointment, please bring:
- The complete document
- The original document if you require a certified copy
- Valid, current government-issued photographic identification
- Any instructions provided by the organization receiving the document
- Any additional witnesses required by the document
Do not sign a document in advance if the lawyer is required to witness your signature or administer an oath or affirmation.
The lawyer must be satisfied as to your identity, that you understand the nature of the document and that you are signing voluntarily. The lawyer may be unable to notarize an incomplete document or a document containing unresolved errors.
Documents for Use Outside Canada
A foreign government, court, consulate or other receiving organization may impose particular requirements concerning notarization, authentication, an apostille, translation or legalization.
Before your appointment, confirm the requirements with the organization that will receive the document. Notarization by our office does not guarantee that a foreign organization will accept the document.
If an apostille or authentication is required after notarization, that is a separate government process.
Legal Advice and Document Preparation
A straightforward notarization confirms matters such as identity, signature, oath or the authenticity of a copy. It does not necessarily include legal advice concerning the document.
If you require us to prepare or revise a document, explain its legal effect, verify facts beyond those ordinarily required for notarization or provide advice concerning a transaction, additional time and legal fees may apply.
Fees and Charitable Donations
We generally do not charge for a simple notarization requiring only a short appointment. Instead, we ask that you make a donation to a charity or community organization.
We charge for work involving significant time, document preparation, legal advice, multiple or complex documents, or unusual requirements. We will explain any anticipated fee before completing the work.
Book a Notarial Appointment
Contact our Invermere or Golden office to arrange an appointment. Please tell our staff what type of document you have, how many documents require notarization and where the documents will be used.