Education

You just sat through a seminar to be a notary, right?

NO. Notaries in certain jurisdictions such as California and Washington States only require applicants to sit through online seminars to be commissioned as notaries in their respective States. In Canada, with the exception of British Columbia and Quebec, lay people without legal training can be appointed if the relevant provincial Attorney General so approves.

In Quebec, notaries are professionals trained in law school who chose to specialize only in notarial acts. They are qualified lawyers, and are regulated by the Chambredes notaires du Québec.

In British Columbia, the requirement for notaries underwent a major revision in 2008. Since then, new applicants must:

1.      Submit an application to the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia, with 4 character references, a bank reference and a notary reference.

2.      Clean criminal record check, and credit bureau checks

3.      Two personal interviews

4.      Complete the 16 months Master of Arts (Applied Legal Studies) program at the Simon Fraser University. The graduate degree is tailored to the practice of a notary public, with courses on substantial laws in properties, personal planning, contract, and more. Candidates are required to maintain a CGPA of 3.0, per the Simon Fraser University Graduate General Regulations. A comprehensive examination is administered at the end of the program, and a 75% (or B grade) must be achieved to complete the MA degree.

5.      Complete 1 week mediation training, 6 weeks practical training program, plus minimum of 3 weeks of mentorship with a practising notary.

6.      Complete 6 statutory exams, as required under the Notaries Regulation.

7.      An examination of background and education by the Supreme Court of British Columbia to determine suitability for commissioning a candidate to the office of notary public

8.      $10,000 deposit must be paid to the Society of Notaries Public prior to being commissioned. Membership dues and insurance fees must also be paid.

As you can see, it is a pretty intensive program.