A notarized affidavit is a document that contains a sworn statement of facts, signed by the statement maker in the presence of a trusted licensed professional. Affidavits have legal clout, and can be used as evidence in court.
Affidavits can be used for different purposes and the signature of the person making the declaration can be witnessed either by a lawyer or a notary. While certain licensed professionals, such as doctors, professional engineers, and police officers, can notarize some documents, only a registered legal professional like a lawyer or notary can notarize others.
Who Can Notarize Documents in Canada?
In Canada a fairly long list of professionals can provide a notarized affidavit, for example:
- Notary public
- Lawyer
- Medical doctor
- Dentist
- Designated embassy official
- Police officer
- Pharmacist
- Veterinarian
- Professional engineer
- Social worker
- Commissioner of oaths
- Justice of the peace
- Chartered accountant
- Municipal clerk
However, not all of these professionals are able to notarize all types of documents. In fact, many of these professionals are limited to notarizing documents that fall within their scope of work. With this in mind, there are only a few options for all types of notarized documents.
Hiring a lawyer is one option. However, a notary public also has authority to notarize most documents, and using a notary offers some advantages: A notary’s services are often much more affordable than a lawyer’s and Notaries are usually better in accommodating walk-ins or last-minute appointments.
In BC, notaries are registered with the Supreme Court, and have undergone legal screening to ensure impartiality. While notaries don’t deal with contentious legal issues, they can provide a range of services, including notarizing most documents. Another advantage is accessibility. At Zancope Notary Public, we provide a safe, friendly and cost-effective legal services for a variety of document notarization scenarios. To learn more about our notary services, get in touch with us. We can guide you through the process of notarizing your documents and ensure your legal needs are met.
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