Certified True Copies

Once you bring the original documents to a notary public, a notary public will examine the original document that is being certified/notarized and compares the original to the photocopy. The notary public must be satisfied that the photocopy is a true and accurate copy of the original. If so satisfied, the notary public will print a statement on the photocopy that certifies the photocopy to be a true and accurate copy of the original document that was presented. The notary public signs the document and embosses a notary public’s seal on the document. The notary public’s signature and seal can later be authenticated for use in a jurisdiction outside of Canada.

Authentication

Authentication is when the Society of Notaries Public of BC and the BC government certifies that the notary public’s seal and signature appearing on a notarized document is that of a licensed and appointed notary public in and for the province of British Columbia. In some cases, usually if the document is to be used in a foreign country, it may be necessary to have the notary’s seal and signature verified (authenticated) by the Society of Notaries Public of BC and the BC government or the Canadian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You should contact your country's consulate office to find out what steps you need to complete this task. Our office will also help you in this regard.

A Notary has the authority to administer oaths, solemn affirmations, and declarations that are used for affidavits and statutory declarations.

Affidavit

Affidavit: An affidavit is the written equivalent of giving oral evidence under oath by the “deponent”, who is the person who makes the affidavit. It is a written description of facts. The affidavit is sworn or solemnly declared to be true. An affidavit is usually made in the context of court proceedings. Hearsay evidence is allowed as long as the source of the deponent’s information is identified, and the deponent takes an oath that he/she believes the evidence is true.

Statutory declaration: A Statutory Declaration is when a person solemnly declares that the contents of an official document (written document or government forms, etc.) are true and correct. A solemn declaration has the same legal effect as an oath in the court's eyes.The person making the solemn declaration is called a deponent. The act of administering a solemn declaration is called commissioning a statutory declaration.It is not necessary that the deponent holds a religious book, or raise his or her hand while undertaking a solemn declaration.A person may be prosecuted criminally for knowingly making a false solemn declaration.

Examples of Statutory Declarations and Affidavits

At our office, we see a variety of statutory declarations and affidavits. Here are some examples:

Statutory declaration: A Statutory Declaration is when a person solemnly declares that the contents of an officiaaffirmations affidavits for Provincial Court of B.C. (Small Claims) affidavits for Supreme Court of B.C. affidavits for all other judicial proceedings affidavit for change in appearance affidavit for change of name affidavit of service affidavit for Pharmacare affidavit to dispute a violation ticket (Offence Act) attestation of signatures authentication and legalization authorization letters certified identity confirmations consent to travel declarations declarations ICBC unregistered vehicle declarations insurance loss declarations letter of invitation for foreign travel(Visitor Visa or Super Visa, etc.) lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed passport declarations notarial certificates notarizations oaths passport affidavits (expired over 6 months) passport applications solemn declarations statutory declaration for contractor holdback or security release statutory declaration for enduring power of attorney statutory declarations for foreign students statutory declaration for pension spousal waiver statutory declarations for professional registration and applications statutory declaration for vital statistics agency statutory declaration in lieu of guarantor statutory declaration of asset ownership statutory declaration of common-law union statutory declaration of finances statutory declaration of legal marriage statutory declaration of lost license or documentation witnessing signaturesl document (written document or government forms, etc.) are true and correct. A solemn declaration has the same legal effect as an oath in the court's eyes.The person making the solemn declaration is called a deponent. The act of administering a solemn declaration is called commissioning a statutory declaration.It is not necessary that the deponent holds a religious book, or raise his or her hand while undertaking a solemn declaration.A person may be prosecuted criminally for knowingly making a false solemn declaration.

Representation Agreements

A Representation Agreement is a legal document available to adults in British Columbia for personal planning. It allows you to authorize one or more personal supporters to be your representative to help you manage your affairs and, if necessary, to make decisions on your behalf in case of illness, injury, or disability.A Representation Agreement is the only way you can appoint someone to assist you or to act on your behalf for health care and personal care matters. It can also cover routine financial affairs.

There are two types of Representation Agreement 7 (RA7) and Representative Agreement 9(RA9).

RA7

RA7 is a legal document for personal planning that is available to adults who need help today because their mental capability/competency may be in question. RA7 is used for routine financial decisions as well as fo.r health care decisions; however, they have a very limited scope of application

RA9

RA9 covers extended health and personal care decisions (including the end-of-life decisions), the 2011 amendments to the Representation Agreement Act has set some limits so they cannot be used for financial matters.

Advanced Health Directives

Advance Directive is fairly new legal document, being established in British Columbia as of September 1, 2011. This document includes written instructions giving or refusing consent to specific medical interventions should you become incapable of giving consent. However, an Advance Directive does not appoint a person to act on your behalf. You must be capable of understanding the type of health care your instruction deals with and the consequences of giving or refusing consent to it. You must also understand that if you make an Advance Directive and your instruction applies to the specific health care offered when you are incapable, a health care provider will only follow the instruction. They will not select someone to be a TSDM.

WILL AND POWER OF ATTORNEY ARE ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS TO PLAN AND PROTECT YOUR WEALTH THAT YOU WORKED HARD TO ACCUMULATE. ESTATE PLANNING

Estate Planning

Estate planning is the only way to be absolutely certain that your belongings will be distributed according to your wishes after you pass away. Our office offers complete estate planning and will preparation services, ensuring that you have your say over the manner in which your personal effects and wealth are managed. When it comes to estate planning and wills in Surrey, we can be trusted to provide the most complete and comprehensive guidance, giving you peace in the certainty that all details have been arranged and every contingency accounted for. We will help you identify beneficiaries, assign an executor and prepare all necessary documentation for your personal estate.

Wills and Estate Planning

We can help you assemble and draft all legal documentation to ensure that your wishes are carried out upon the event of your passing away. When you work with us you will receive qualified advice and guidance from one of the most respected notaries in Surrey.

Power of Attorney

Quite often we are unprepared for circumstances that make us unable to deal with our financial and property matters. We can help you with the preparation of a Power of Attorney so that you are prepared if any such circumstances should arise.

CONVEYANCING IS THE PROCESS, WHICH IS DONE BY A NOTARY TO TRANSFER LEGAL TITLE TO A PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN SOLD TO A NEW OWNER.

Buying:

A Notary acting for the buyer acquires all the information about the property (title search, strata, taxes, mortgages, etc.) and makes sure that all money is distributed and adjusted correctly. Therefore, my role as a notary is to make this process a smooth and painless experience for you.

Selling:

A Notary acting for the seller has to to make sure that all the mortgages or other liens or charges are removed from the title so a “free title” can be transferred upon receiving the purchase price from the buyers.

Family Transfer:

A notary can assist you to add or remove a family member to or from the title. Although these types of transfers are exempt from property transfer taxes, there could be some income tax implications.

Property Transmission:

A Notary can assist you to transfer a real property to the survivor of a joint tenancy when the other joint tenant has predeceased. As well, a Notary can assist you to transfer a real property by an Executor or Administrator of someone’s estate to the beneficiaries of an estate. Although this type of transfer is also exempt from property transfer taxes, a competent Notary can guide you through this process and make sure the transfer or transmission is done appropriately, avoiding any income tax liability or fraudulent conveyance issues.

Mortgage Discharges:

When selling or paying off your mortgage, a notary can assist you in preparing all the required documents and filing a discharge of your mortgage in the Land Title Office.

Mortgage Refinancing & Home Equity lines of credit:

When you make changes to your current mortgage you require a refinancing process, which implies a discharge of the current mortgage and the acquiring of a new one. In other words, you are borrowing money against the value of your home using your home as security.

Manufactured Home Transfers

We do provide the following Services:

Builder's Lien claim Correction of title (name change, correction of names, change of address or land title defect corrections) Covenants Easements and Right of ways Statutory Building Schemes Modifications of Mortgage Extension of mortgages Subdivision of applications Purchaser's side of Foreclosures Commercial real estate transfers Personal Property Security Agreements

Sponsorship/Invitational letter?

When a visa is required to visit Canada, sometimes the applicant is asked to provide a letter of invitation from their anticipated Canadian host. Please note that completion and submission of an invitation letter does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. Canadian Visa officers consider a number of various factors in approving or rejecting Visa requests, and the invitation letter is one of many things that may be considered.

How to get an invitation letter:

The information on this page is only a general guide – we encourage you to build off of it and use it as a template. You must write the invitation letter yourself. Once it is written, please contact us to book an appointment, so that you may sign it in front of us and we may properly notarize it.
Once the letter has been notarized, you may send your letter to the person you are inviting to Canada. They may then submit the letter to the Canadian Embassy or Consulate outside of Canada when they apply for their Visa.

What should an invitation letter contain?

Invitation letters must include the following information about the person being invited:
Complete name.Date of birth.The person’s address and telephone number.Your relationship to the person being invited.The purpose of the trip.How long the person you are inviting intends to stay in Canada.Details on accommodation and living expenses.The date the person you are inviting intends to leave Canada. The invitation letter must also contain the following information about yourself:Complete name.Date of birth.Address and telephone number in Canada.Occupation.Whether you are a Canadian citizen or Permanent ResidentA photocopy of a document proving your status in Canada (ex: Canadian birth certificate, citizenship card or permanent resident card).