Notary Public Nanaimo BC | Althouse Notary | About Notarizations
Notary Public Nanaimo BC offering professional notarizations, document authentication, real estate documents, and more.
Notary Public, Nanaimo BC
Althouse Notaries is one of the top-rated notary service providers in Nanaimo, BC. With over 30 years of service to the community, we are thrilled to be recognized by those we have lived, grown, worked, and played with over the years. Steele Athouse, owner of Althouse Notaries, is a Notary Public in Nanaimo, BC, who works with an amazing team of conveyancers and with Alana Halaliku, another Notary Public. Althouse Notaries was initially pioneered by Sharon Althouse. Steele is proud to continue the legacy his mother Sharon created, upholding the exceptional standard of care and community impact she established.
What documents do we notarize?
- Certified True Copies (of original ID, Wills, Birth/Death/Marriage Certificate, school transcripts, etc.)
- Immigration Declaration
- Child Travel Consent
- Affidavits & Statutory Declarations
- Medical and Health Licensing Declarations
- Construction payment declaration
- Name Change Declarations
- ICBC Unregistered Vehicle Declaration
- Attorney signing
- Oil and Gas Leases
- Insurance Proof of Loss
- BC Pharmacare Declaration
- Letters of Invitation for Foreign Travel
- Bank Forms
- Public Guardian and Trustee Declarations
- Pension declarations
- Retirement Forms
- RRSP Withdrawal Forms
- Fingerprint record
- Timeshare documents
Understanding Notary Public Services in Nanaimo
Whether purchasing a home, contract drafting for private deals, or changing tenant ownership, we understand that legal requirements can be challenging. That’s why we are going to break down jargon into simple terms. What exactly is a Notary Public? A Notary Public in Nanaimo, BC, is a government-appointed official dedicated to preventing fraud and legal disputes by verifying identities, witnessing signatures, and preparing essential legal documents. What services do notaries in Nanaimo offer? Notaries offer a range of services, including Real Estate Transfers, Mortgage Refinances, Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Notarizations. With a specialization in conveyancing, Steele is particularly adept at handling the secure transfer of funds and titles between parties. Notarization is important in the legal process because it ensures document authenticity and holds all parties accountable to their commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Notarizations
How to verify a notary's credentials? Who can be a notary public?
To verify a BC Notary, check the member directory on The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia website. To become a Notary Public in BC, an individual must typically earn a Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies and pass the Statutory Examinations.
What documents do I need for notarization?
To ensure your legal documents are processed without delay, we require two pieces of valid, unexpired identification. At least one piece must be a Primary Photo ID (Government-issued), and both must show your full legal name exactly as it appears on your documents.
Can I notarize a passport copy at a BC bank in Nanaimo?
Most Canadian banks do not provide Notary Public services. While bank employees (like a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits) can often witness a signature on their own internal forms, they generally cannot notarize a copy of a government ID for external use.
Do you send out notarized documents?
No, we can email you a scanned copy; we do not offer to mail or courier original documents at this time.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, we book appointments for notarizations to ensure that a notary is in the office and available to meet with you.
How long does the notarization process take?
Notarizations typically take 10-15 minutes. More complex notarizations may take up to 30 minutes or more, depending on the size and number of documents. Please let us know when booking an appointment so we can book the appropriate length of time for your needs.
Do you help complete documents during the notarization process?
The Notary cannot complete documents for you; their role is to confirm your identity and witness your signature. Please have all necessary information filled in prior to your appointment.
Can you witness documents from other Provinces?
Yes, we can notarize documents that a lawyer or notary in another jurisdiction prepares. The documents should include a letter from the office that prepared the documents, confirming they represent you.
What forms of payment do you accept?
At Althouse Notaries, we accept Cash, E-transfer and cheque.
Do Notaries sign separation agreements?
No, you will have to contact a family law lawyer or a family mediator.
Where do I get a Travel Consent Letter?
Please go to the Government of Canada website. Please fill in the forms, print it off and make an appointment with our office to sign it. Please note that we will need two pieces of Identification for the parent giving consent for the child to travel.