Notary Public?

Notaries public, in the Province of British Columbia, are commissioned by the Supreme Court of British Columbia to serve the public in providing non-contentious legal services (i.e. where parties are in agreement). We are appointed for life, and are regulated by the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia.

Our full title is Notary Public in and for the Province of British Columbia, and Commissioner of Taking Affidavits for British Columbia. We are officers of the law, having swore an oath of office as set out by the Notaries Regulation.

We are not litigators so we do not represent clients in court or tribunals, nor do we practice in criminal or family laws. We can, however, provide legal advice and services in the following areas:

·         Notarizations

·         Administration of Oaths

·         Conveyancing – the transfer of legal title of properties

·         Powers of Attorney

·         Wills (with certain limitations)

·         Representation Agreements

·         Advanced Directives

·         Contracts

We mainly derive our powers from the Notaries Act, Land Title Act, BC Evidence Act and the Canada Evidence Act. We also derive some of our powers from other provincial and federal legislations.