Here’s how to get ready for your an appointment to sign land transfer documents or get independent legal advice. These are documents that have been prepared by a legal person in another jurisdiction where you are not (and cannot get to).
For example, perhaps you moved to the Okanagan and are selling your home in Vancouver. Your BC Notary in Vancouver prepares a number of documents you need to sign, but you aren’t in Vancouver and can’t get there. So your Vancouver Notary emails you the documents and you sign them in front of us.
Similarly, you might be in the Okanagan but need to sign land transfer documents for property in Alberta, or another country.
Another example would be if you are being asked to review documents with a BC Notary for independent legal advice.
Bring any original documents you need to sign
Most of the documents you will need to sign for your land transfer or independent legal advice can be emailed to you for you to print. Your legal person who prepared the documents will let you know if you need to bring any original documents, such as Powers of Attorney, Marriage or Birth Certificates.
Check any instructions you received
Your legal person will give you instructions – please make sure to read these instructions carefully. They might include instructions to:
- bring an extra witness
- bring certain kinds of identification or proof of citizenship
- use certain colours of ink, or a specific type of pen or size of paper
It’s important to make sure you tell us about these instructions!
Bring your ID
Please remember to bring your two pieces of current, government-issued ID, one of which needs to have a photo.
Please check your instructions to see if you need to bring special kinds of identification – this is very important!!
If You Need Some Help
Getting assistance from a family member or friend
Some of our clients find it helpful to bring a family member or friend to their appointment, or to have someone help them prepare their paperwork beforehand. This is fine, as long as your helper is just helping you, and not forcing you to do something you don’t want to do.
If someone else is completing this form or gathering your documents on your behalf, please make sure they have your instructions and that you have reviewed everything before your appointment. The work we do is for you, not them, and we will need to speak with you directly at your appointment.
Using a Power of Attorney
Please let us know right away if you are signing for someone as an Attorney under a BC Power of Attorney. We will need to see the original Power of Attorney, and have you sign additional paperwork showing you still have the authority to act.
How long will this take?
Your appointment to sign land transfer documents or get independent legal advice should take about 30 minutes if:
- you have been given all of your documents (we don’t have to chase things down)
- you have proper identification documentation
- your documents are all filled out and ready to sign
- you have read through everything and understand what you are signing and why
It may take longer if:
- you haven’t had a chance to read through the documents,
- we need to provide certified copies of your identification, or
- you are signing by way of a Power of Attorney, it may take longer.
If your document is going to take longer than the standard 30 minute appointment, we will let you know. Additional fees may apply for longer appointments.
Be Kind
It’s always surprising to have to say this out loud, but we do not tolerate abuse of our staff, ourselves or the legal system.
We will refuse service to persons who are rude, abusive, who throw things or have tantrums. And yes, these are all real-life things that have happened.
We will also refuse you service if you appear to be asking for this service for invalid documents, or for documents which may be used in fraudulent or suspicious circumstances.
We love helping our clients within our professional obligations, and will often go out of our way to help where we can. When we can’t help, we will always let you know.