Notarizations

A notary public is also a commissioner for taking affidavits for British Columbia. Notaries public are authorized to witness the signing of important documents, administer oaths and affirmations, and perform other acts that require verification of authenticity.

When a document is notarized, the notary public verifies the identity of the individuals involved in the transaction, ensures that they are willingly signing the document, and confirms that they understand the contents and implications of the document. The notary then adds their official seal or stamp and their signature to the document.

Common documents that might require notarization include affidavits of support or invitation letters, travel declarations, other affidavits and statutory declarations, statements of loss for insurance, proof of life certificates for pension benefits, and certification of identification documents. Notarization helps prevent fraud and provides an independent third-party verification of identity and witnessing of the document being executed.

Notaries public do not notarize hand-drawn wills, power of attorneys, or representation agreements for liability reasons. If they have not conducted the full interview and drafted the document themselves, they cannot verify the person has the legal capacity to create such a document. Notaries public will witness the signature of an appointed attorney or representative from another legal professional. This is common practice as attorneys or representatives can live far away from the person who appointed them.