About commissioners for taking affidavits appointments
Last updated on September 12, 2024NOTICE: BC Commissioner Program on HOLD until further notice
The Commissioners for Taking Affidavits for BC Program is on hold pending staffing measures and is not accepting applications at this time.
If you have applied for an appointment and do not hear from us by October 1, 2024, your application was unable to be processed in time. Unprocessed applications will be returned and appointment fees will be returned or refunded, as applicable.
While on hold, the program is unable to accept change requests to current appointments or respond to queries.
We hope to be able to resume operation and begin receiving applications again towards the end of 2024. Please monitor this website for updates.
A commissioner for taking affidavits is a person appointed or designated under the Evidence Act to administer oaths and affirmations and to take affidavits and declarations.
A person may be eligible for appointment as a commissioner for taking affidavits if their employment or work with a volunteer organization involves administering oaths or affirmations, or taking affidavits or statutory declarations, as permitted, authorized or required by law.
The Evidence Act and regulations designate some persons as commissioners for taking affidavits because of office or employment. Persons designated as a commissioner do not need to apply for appointment. Click here for examples of persons who are commissioners because of their office or employment.
Commissioner appointments are subject to the Evidence Act and regulations, and may include restrictions and conditions set by the Attorney General. The term of appointment is 3 years.
Persons who are commissioners by appointment:
- Can only provide services relating to their employment or involvement in a volunteer organization
- Are prohibited from charging fees for providing services, except where the fees are specifically allowed under other statutes
- Are prohibited from providing commissioner services after the expiry of their appointment term
The commissioners for taking affidavits lookup tool an be used to view commissioner appointments (1996-present), including term dates and restrictions.
How to apply for an appointment as a commissioner for taking affidavits
An eligible applicant must:
- Be at least 19 years of age
- Have Canadian citizenship, landed immigrant or permanent resident status
- Have no relevant criminal record
In addition, all applicants must complete the application form and follow all instructions, including a detailed explanation of the Purpose of Appointment, a successfully completed examination and the applicable appointment fee. See Apply for an appointment for detailed instructions.
Applications for subsequent appointments must follow the same application process as applications for new appointments. See Apply for a subsequent appointment for detailed instructions.
Submitting an application (with a successfully completed examination and the applicable appointment fee) does not guarantee that an appointment as a commissioner for taking affidavits will be approved, even if you have been appointed as a commissioner in the past.
Our office strives to review and assess applications (new or subsequent) within 12 weeks (3 months), and applications may be approved or declined. Processing times are dependent on volume and will take longer if we need to contact you about your application package. See Review and approval process for more information.
The Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Program does not provide any commissioner services.
Our office cannot provide advice as to whether a particular form or document can be witnessed by a commissioner. You may wish to consult a lawyer in such cases.