Appointment fee
Last updated on December 14, 2024
NOTICE: BC Commissioner Program reopening timeline
From September 12 to November 30, the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits for BC Program was on hold and unable to accept applications, change requests to current appointments or respond to queries.
The program is working to resume operation at reduced capacity in January 2025. Please see below for a timeline on gradual reopening and what to expect:
As of December 2, 2024, the program is now:
- receiving email queries at BCCommAff@gov.bc.ca for response
- processing requests for cancellations or changes to current appointments
As of December 15, 2024:
- the application and online payment system is now open: see updated submission instructions and link to the application form on Apply for an appointment;
- the program is receiving applications (to prepare for processing at reduced capacity in January 2025).
When the program resumes operation at reduced capacity in January 2025:
- routine applications for renewal of commissions expiring on or before January 31, 2025 will be prioritized and are expected to be processed in time to be effective on February 1, 2025;
- expected processing timelines for routine applications is 4-6 weeks, not including mail times;
- incomplete applications (e.g., missing signatures, dates or appointment fee) and non-routine applications (such as applications that raise potential public protection concerns) may take longer to process.
Please carefully read all instructions on this website before applying.
A $50 appointment fee is required when you submit an application to be considered for appointment.
Include the appointment fee in the same package with your application and examination, to ensure your fee is applied to the correct file. See Apply for an appointment for detailed instructions on how to apply.
Applications sent without the appointment fee will not be processed and will be immediately returned to the sender. See Review and approval process for other common issues with applications.
On this page:
- Accepted payment types
- What if I am exempt from payment?
- What if my application is declined?
- What if my application is approved?
- NSF bank charges on failed cheque or money order
Accepted payment types
When filling out the application form, you will be prompted to select either:
- Pay online with Mastercard, Debit Mastercard, Visa, Visa Debit or American Express, or
- Mail in the fee with your application, as a cheque or money order for $50, made payable to the "Minister of Finance"
Cash is not accepted. Do not submit cash.
Online payment is recommended to avoid delays with processing your appointment fee. Cheques can become stale-dated (over 6 months past the date) or may be unable to be processed for other reasons (see NSF bank charges on failed cheque).
What if I am exempt from payment?
Section 58 of the Evidence Act exempts some applicants from this appointment fee.
If the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Program identifies you as exempt when reviewing your application, our office will notify you and will either refund your online payment or return your cheque or money order to the mailing address provided on your application form, as applicable.
Email us at BCCommAff@gov.bc.ca if you are not sure whether you are exempt from payment.
What if my application is declined?
If your application is declined (or if you are identified as exempt), our office will notify you and will either refund your online payment or return your cheque or money order to the mailing address provided on your application form, as applicable.
What if my application is approved?
If your application is approved, then your appointment order will be sent to you and your appointment fee will be processed. It can take 1 month (or 20 business days) for cheques to be processed.
NSF bank charges on failed cheque
If your cheque is stale-dated (over 6 months past the date) or unable to be processed for any other reason (such as insufficient funds, account closures or account freezes), an additional $30 Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) fee will be charged by the bank.
Our office will contact you with instructions to pay the $30 NSF fee. If your application was approved, you will also have to pay the original $50 appointment fee in addition to the $30 NSF fee.
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.