Frequently Asked Questions

General & Legal

Yes. Under the BC Evidence Act and the Law Society of BC’s protocols, remote commissioning of affidavits and statutory declarations via video technology is fully recognized and legally binding.

Absolutely. We use Dropbox Sign to apply a tamper-evident digital seal and signature. These are widely accepted by BC government agencies, the CRA, and ICBC.

Yes! While our name is Vancouver Notary Service, our digital platform allows us to serve any resident located anywhere in British Columbia.

Yes, provided the document you are signing is for use within British Columbia or Canada, and you have a valid BC/Canadian government-issued ID.

Document Eligibility

Due to BC law, we cannot notarize Wills, Powers of Attorney, Representation Agreements, or documents for real estate land title transfers online. These require a "wet-ink" signature in person.

No. To certify a true copy, a Notary must physically touch and inspect the original paper document. This service must be done in person.

No. You must sign the document live during our video session. If you have already signed it, you will need to provide a fresh, unsigned copy for the session.

We notarize the documents you provide. However, we do offer standard templates for common forms like Travel Consent Letters and Invitation Letters upon request.

Technology & Booking

No. Our video sessions run directly in your web browser (Chrome or Safari recommended) via Daily.co. You simply click the link in your email to join.

Yes! You can use any device with a working camera, microphone, and internet connection, including iPhones, Androids, tablets, or laptops.

After booking, you will be prompted to upload your document as a PDF.

Don't worry. If the connection drops, simply click the link again to rejoin. If we cannot complete the session due to technical issues, we will reschedule you at no extra cost.

Identity & Privacy

You must show one valid piece of government-issued photo ID, such as a BC Driver’s License, BCID, or Passport. It must be the original physical card—we cannot accept photos or photocopies of ID.

Yes. Your documents are only accessible to you and the Notary.

No. For your privacy, we do not record the video session. We maintain a digital audit trail of the signing process as required by law, but no video or audio is stored.

Payments & Refunds

Our standard rate is $45.00 (plus GST) for a single notarization. Additional signatures in the same session are $20.00 each.

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) and Apple/Google Pay through our secure Stripe Checkout.

We do not offer refunds.

Post-Appointment

As soon as the session ends and both parties have signed, a download link will appear in your dashboard. You will also receive an automated email with the link.

For your security, the download link is active for 24 hours. Please ensure you download and save the PDF to your own device immediately.

We use a combination of visual inspection and digital cross-referencing. You will hold your physical ID up to the camera so the Notary can verify the security features (holograms, expiry, and photo match).

Generally, no. The Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA) currently requires "wet-ink" signatures for most land transfers and mortgages. We recommend an in-person notary for real estate transactions.

 In BC, a Commissioner is someone authorized to witness oaths. Our service provides a Notary Public or a Commissioner whose credentials meet the requirements of the BC Evidence Actfor remote commissioning.

Our online platform is strictly for video-based commissioning. For security and insurance reasons, we do not accept documents via mail.

We can notarize documents in other languages, but the Notarial Certificate (the part we sign) must be in English. You may be required to provide a certified translation if the notary cannot understand the document's purpose.

The Signing Process

Yes. However, you must book a specialized "Multi-Party" session so we can send video links to both individuals. Both must be present on the call simultaneously.

No. The entire process is 100% paperless. You upload a PDF, sign on your screen via Dropbox Sign, and download the finished PDF.

Because we use digital signatures, you cannot "white-out" a mistake. You must correct the PDF before uploading it to our dashboard.

Yes, but you must upload a copy of the Power of Attorney document along with the document to be signed so the Notary can verify your authority.

An Oath is a religious promise (swearing on a Bible, etc.), while an Affirmation is a non-religious, solemn promise. Both carry the same legal weight in BC.

Technical Troubleshooting

Please remove all passwords or encryption from your PDF before uploading, as our signing software cannot process locked files.

We recommend disabling your VPN during the video call. VPNs can interfere with the security protocols and connection stability of the video room.

Ensure you have "Allowed" camera and microphone permissions in your browser. If the issue persists, refreshing the page usually solves it.

Yes. For legal integrity, the Notary must see the entire document to ensure context, even if they are only signing the final page.

Policy & Post-Session

Yes. A formal tax receipt is automatically emailed to you by Stripe immediately after your payment is processed.

Due to our Strict Privacy Policy, we delete documents 24 hours after the session. If it has been more than 24 hours, the file is gone, and you would need to book a new session.

The Audit Trail proves the document’s validity. It shows the IP addresses, timestamps, and email verification of all signers. Do not remove this page; it is part of the legal record.

A Notary may refuse if they suspect fraud, duress, or if the document is illegal. In cases of suspected fraud or lack of valid ID, our No-Refund Policy applies.

Yes. If you require more than 10 notarizations per month, please contact us via our Contact Us section.