Information for BC Lawyers and Notaries

This page has information for B.C. Notaries Public (B.C. lawyers and B.C. non-lawyer notaries) who notarize documents intended for authentication in B.C.

On this page:

• When does a B.C. lawyer or notary need to be on file with the B.C. Authentication Program?
• Is there a list available to the public of B.C. lawyers and notaries who are already on file?
• How can I be put on file with the B.C. Authentication Program?
• How long does it take to be put on file with the B.C. Authentication Program?
• Do I need to reapply to stay on file with the B.C. Authentication Program?
• My client’s document is already submitted to your office for authentication, but I am not on file with your office. What can I or my client do?
• I have been asked to notarize a document that is, all or in part, not in English. What can I or my client do?
• Why might a notarized document not be accepted for provincial authentication?

When does a B.C. lawyer or notary need to be on file with the B.C. Authentication Program?

A B.C. lawyer or notary must be on file with the B.C. Authentication Program before documents that they have notarized can be authenticated in B.C.

Is there a list available to the public of B.C. lawyers and notaries who are already on file? 

Yes. Please email BCAuthentication@gov.bc.ca for an up-to-date list of all B.C. lawyers and notaries currently on file with our office.

How can I be put on file with the B.C. Authentication Program?

If you are a B.C. lawyer or notary and wish to be put on file with our office in order for your notarized documents to be provincially authenticated, please email BCAuthentication@gov.bc.ca for detailed instructions. 

Please note that this is not an automatic process. Any B.C. lawyer or notary must apply to be on file with this office, regardless of their standing or history with their professional society.

How long does it take to be put on file with the B.C. Authentication Program?

The process to be put on file with our office can take a few weeks, as it will involve either the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC) or the Society of Notaries Public of BC (SNPBC).

Do I need to reapply to stay on file with the B.C. Authentication Program?

If you are already on file with our office, you do not need to reapply and will remain on file so long as you are in good standing with your society (LSBC or SNPBC).

I have already notarized a document that needs to be authenticated, but I am not on file with your office. What can I or my client do?

There are a few options:

1. You can apply to be put on file with our office, which can take a few weeks
2. For B.C. lawyers only (there is no equivalent for SNPBC), either you or your client can contact the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC) Member Services at 604-669-2533 to request that they “authenticate” (attach their own certificate) to the document as an extra step before sending the now notarized and LSBC-certified document in to be provincially authenticated. This extra step can take 2-3 weeks
3. To save time in urgent cases, your client can choose to have their document notarized by a B.C. lawyer or notary who is already on file with our office

I have been asked to notarize a document intended for authentication that is, all or in part, not in English. What do I do?

If all or part of the document is in a language other than English, it must first be translated (according to the Translation Requirements) and then notarized as a set (original document with translation).

If you are both translating and notarizing the document, you must also attach a declaration attesting that you speak both languages and have translated the listed document(s) yourself, and that you certify the accuracy of the translation. See Translation Requirements for a sample declaration.

Instructions on this website recommend that clients check with their B.C. lawyer or notary before starting the translation process.

Why might a notarized document not be accepted for provincial authentication?

Reasons that a notarized document may not be accepted for provincial authentication can include:

• Lawyer or notary is not on file with our office
• Notarization date, signature or seal is missing or illegible
• Wrong seal is used (e.g. signed in capacity as a commissioner for taking affidavits or other non-notary designation)
• Document is over 40 pages. Please contact BCAuthentication@gov.bc.ca if you are asked to notarize a document over 40 pages
• Document should not have been notarized. Per instructions on this website, certain types of documents must be submitted as originals only (e.g. vital statistics documents)

Other reasons that we may not be able to authenticate a notarized document include:

• Missing or incorrect payment
• Missing B.C. Document Authentication Request form
• Documents are not organized and clear on how they are to be processed
• Document was issued in another province, territory or country
• Document does not comply with Translation Requirements
• Document is of questionable legal status
• Document is not for use outside of Canada or not eligible for authentication in B.C.