Swearing an affidavit online in British Columbia.

Remote commissioning in BC

British Columbia has supported remote witnessing and electronic signing for a range of notarial acts, and affidavits sworn by video are widely accepted by BC institutions. A BC commissioner, notary public, or lawyer administers the oath or solemn affirmation live, watches you sign, and completes the jurat noting that the affidavit was sworn remotely.

As everywhere, the commissioner's role is to verify identity and witness the oath — not to confirm your statements are true. The contents remain your responsibility, and swearing something you know to be false is a criminal offence.

Court affidavits follow prescribed forms

This is where BC affidavits differ most from a general-purpose declaration. Affidavits filed in BC Supreme Court proceedings are governed by the court's civil rules, which prescribe the form, how the affidavit is styled, and how exhibits are handled. An affidavit that would be perfectly acceptable for a bank may be rejected by a registry if it does not follow the prescribed form.

If your affidavit is going into a court file, the safest sequence is to have a BC lawyer or paralegal prepare or review it, then bring the finished document to your appointment. Tell us the registry and file number when you book so we can confirm the commissioning will be accepted.

Exhibits in a BC affidavit

Attachments referred to in the body of the affidavit are exhibits, and each normally has to be marked and initialled by the commissioner during the same appointment. BC court rules are specific about how exhibits are identified, so reference each one clearly in the body ("attached as Exhibit A") and have them ready in order on camera. Each additional exhibit or page handled in the same session is $26.

Geography is the real advantage

BC's geography makes remote commissioning genuinely useful. From Vancouver and Victoria to Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George, and communities in the Interior and the North, a stable internet connection replaces a ferry crossing or a long drive. The appointment is identical wherever you are: a short, secure video call with a BC-commissioned notary.

Common reasons a BC affidavit comes back

• Wrong form for a court filing. BC Supreme Court proceedings prescribe the format.
• Signed in advance. The commissioner must witness the signature.
• Exhibits not marked. Referenced in the body but never shown and initialled.
• Name mismatch. Use your full legal name as printed on your ID.
• Blanks in the body. Complete every field before the appointment.

See the general affidavit guide, the cost breakdown, or the British Columbia page.