The BC Notary Public

BC Notaries are unique in North America, providing non-contentious legal services to the public.

The tradition of Notaries goes back over 2000 years - to the dawn of recorded history. Notaries laid down the Codex Hammurabi, the oldest evidence of recorded law. Notaries were also employed by the Catholic Church to guide the light of civilization through the Dark Ages. The Notary’s reputation for trustworthiness meant that documents retained a stable reliability throughout centuries of upheaval.

BC Notaries are governed by the Notaries Act of BC and the discipline of their professional society, the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia. Today, the position of Notary as a member of one of the branches of the legal profession is sanctioned and safeguarded by law. The Notaries Act also sets out the services that Notaries can provide.

Interesting notes about Notaries

• The professional work of a Notary is covered by an insurance plan which protects the public.
• The average age of a BC Notary is 43.
• 55 percent of Notaries are women.
• BC’s Notaries reflect many ethnic backgrounds and languages.
• Notaries in BC put a high priority on service to their local communities. Over one-third are involved in fundraising and social service, over one-third in business associations, and more than 30 percent are active in youth sports and recreation.