Notary Public in British Columbia
British Columbia has a unique system: BC Notaries are a distinct profession with broader powers than notaries in most other provinces, including the authority to prepare non-contentious legal documents such as wills and conveyances.
Who can act as a notary in British Columbia
BC Notaries Public are members of the Society of Notaries Public of BC and hold a Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies (or equivalent). Lawyers in BC may also act as notaries.
Common notarial services
- Real estate conveyancing and mortgage documents
- Wills, representation agreements, and powers of attorney
- Affidavits, statutory declarations, and certified true copies
- International documents requiring authentication or apostille
How fees work
BC Notaries set their own fees. Mobile and after-hours services typically include a travel component on top of the per-document rate.
Apostille & international authentication
Since January 11, 2024, BC documents destined for use in Hague Convention countries are apostilled by Global Affairs Canada (Ottawa) or the BC Order in Council Administration Office, replacing the older two-step authentication-and-legalization process.
Frequently asked questions
Are BC Notaries the same as Notaries Public in Ontario?
No. BC Notaries are a separate regulated profession with broader scope — they prepare wills, conveyances, and other non-contentious legal documents. Ontario notaries are typically lawyers and paralegals with narrower notarial duties.
Can a BC Notary prepare my real estate purchase documents?
Yes — handling residential real estate conveyancing is one of the most common services offered by BC Notaries.