Apply for an appointment

Last updated on December 8, 2024

NOTICE: BC Commissioner Program reopening timeline

From September 12 to November 30, the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits for BC Program was on hold and unable to unable to accept applications, change requests to current appointments or respond to queries. 

The program is working to resume operation at reduced capacity in January 2025. Please see below for a timeline on gradual reopening and what to expect:
 
As of December 2, 2024, the program is now: 

  • receiving email queries at BCCommAff@gov.bc.ca for response
  • processing requests for cancellations or changes to current appointments

Starting December 15, 2024:

  • you will be able to submit an application for appointment
  • the program will begin receiving applications, to prepare for processing at reduced capacity in January 2025

When the program resumes operation at reduced capacity in January 2025

  • routine applications for renewal of commissions expiring on or before January 31, 2025 will be prioritized and are expected to be processed in time to be effective on February 1, 2025
  • incomplete applications (e.g., missing signature, date or appointment fee) and non-routine applications (such as applications that raise potential public protection concerns) may take longer to process.

Please check this website for further updates on Sunday, December 15, including detailed application and submission instructions and link to the application form. 

This program is currently on hold and not accepting applications until further notice. Once the program resumes normal operation, you may apply for an appointment as a commissioner for taking affidavits by following the application instructions below. A person applying for a subsequent appointment (has been appointed before) must follow the same application process. See Apply for a subsequent appointment for more information.

Submitting an application (with a successfully completed examination and the applicable appointment fee) does not guarantee that an appointment as a commissioner for taking affidavits will be approved, even if you have been appointed as a commissioner in the past.

On this page:

Who can apply for an appointment as a commissioner for taking affidavits in B.C.?

An eligible applicant must:

  • Be at least 19 years of age
  • Have Canadian citizenship, landed immigrant or permanent resident status
  • Have no relevant criminal record

Even if you have been appointed a commissioner in the past, all applications (new or subsequent) are subject to the same review and approval process.

When to submit an application for appointment

This program is currently on hold and not accepting applications until further notice. During normal operation, our office strives to review and assess applications (new or subsequent) within 12 weeks (3 months), and applications may be approved or declined.

Processing times are dependent on volume of applications received and will take longer if we need to contact you about your application package.

An application for a subsequent appointment will not be considered if it is submitted more than 12 weeks (3 months) before the expiration of your current appointment. See Apply for a subsequent appointment for more information.

To avoid delays in processing, follow all instructions below carefully when preparing your application and ensure that your package is addressed correctly (see Contact information).

Applications with incomplete, illegible or missing information will be declined. See Review and approval process for more information and common issues with applications.

Application instructions

This program is currently on hold and not accepting applications until further notice. Once the program resumes normal operation, all applicants must complete, sign and date, and submit the application form, including a detailed explanation of the Purpose of Appointment, a successfully completed examination, and the applicable appointment fee.

  1. Read the Information and Instruction Guide
    This guide contains important information on the roles and responsibilities of a commissioner and will assist you in preparing for the examination.
  2. Complete the Application for Appointment as a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits form
    A new application and examination form (with a new option to pay online with credit card) has replaced the previous PDF application form and examination:
    • Use a desktop/laptop computer (do not use a mobile device/phone)
    • Upgrade your web browser to the most recent version

      Internet Explorer is not supported. Please use other browsers, such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari.

      Required fields are marked with a red asterisk* and must be completed before proceeding to the next section of the form.

      Do not close the browser until you have completed the application, examination and payment option, and have been prompted to save/print the entire form. It is recommended to prepare your answers offline before starting this application. If you close your browser, changes you have made will not be saved and you will have to start again.


      This program is currently on hold and not accepting applications until further notice. If you are planning to apply after the program resumes normal operation, you will need to supply the following information:

    1. Personal information

      • Full legal name

      • Date of birth

      • Contact information

      • Whether you are a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant or permanent resident

      • Whether your application is for a first-time (“new”) appointment or a subsequent (“renewal”) appointment

      • If you have ever been convicted of a criminal offence

    2. Employment/volunteer information

      • Position

      • Employer/volunteer organization

      • Business contact information (email, phone, address) 
        Our office may email you at your business email address regarding issues with your application

    3. Purpose of appointment
      Applicants must provide detailed information to clearly demonstrate legitimate need to perform commissioner functions as part of their existing employment or work with a volunteer organization. 

      Your appointment will be restricted in accordance with the information you provide. Complete and accurate information in this section helps ensure that, if approved, the appointment will meet your needs.

      This includes specifying the services to be performed, citing all applicable Act(s) and section(s) that authorize these services to be performed by a commissioner, and providing samples of forms to be used. You may enclose supplementary material with your application.

      • Industry affiliation or profession

      • Detailed description (minimum 100 words) of how your existing employment or volunteer activities involve providing commissioner services.

    4. Certification
      Confirm that, after you have completed all sections and saved/printed this form, you will sign and date Part 4 – Certification of the application.

    5. Employer/volunteer supervisor verification (or reference if self-employed)

      • Confirm that, after you have completed all sections and saved/printed this form, your employer or supervisor will sign and date Part 5 – Employer/volunteer supervisor verification of the application, or

      • If you are self-employed, you must instead provide contact information for 1 reference to confirm your employment status who is not your relative and who has known you for at least 2 years.

    6. Review your information
      Review your information and make sure each section is filled out correctly before proceeding to the examination.
      You can return to previous sections to make changes by clicking “Back” and “Next” at the bottom of each section, but do not close the browser as your changes will not be saved.

    7. Examination
      This examination is to ensure that applicants understand the scope of a commissioner’s authority and how to perform these duties properly. You must successfully complete the examination to be considered for an appointment.
      Confirm that, after you have completed all sections and saved/printed this form, you will sign and date Part 3 - Certification of the examination.

    8. Choose a payment option (all applications must include payment of the $50 appointment fee. See Appointment fee

      Section 58 of the Evidence Act exempts some applicants from this appointment fee. If you are identified as exempt, we will notify you and refund your online payment or return your cheque or money order to the mailing address provided on your application form (as applicable).

      • Pay online with Mastercard, Debit Mastercard, Visa, Visa Debit, or American Express, or

        If you select “Pay Online,” you will be automatically redirected to online payment.

      • Mail fees with application: Accepted mail-in payment types are cheque or money order for $50.00, made payable to the “Minister of Finance”. Cash is not accepted.

    9. Print or save as PDF:
      After selecting your payment option (and paying if you chose to pay online), you will be prompted to either print or save as PDF your completed form.

      If adding information after printing, please type or print clearly. Incomplete, altered or illegible forms will not be processed.

       

  3. Provide the $50 appointment fee

    • ​​If you paid online, the completed application form is your confirmation of online payment. Your credit card statement will include the text "Province of BC - Commissioner Appt Fee"

    • If you did not pay online, include a cheque or money order for $50.00, made payable to the “Minister of Finance”

  4. Submit your completed, signed and dated application
    Remember to sign and date your completed application form and examination:

  • You must sign and date Part 4 – Certification of the application
  • Unless you are self-employed, your employer or supervisor must sign and date Part 5 – Employer /Volunteer Supervisor Verification of the application
  • You must sign and date Part 3 – Certification of the examination

After signing and dating in all places, submit your application as directed, after the program resumes normal operation.

 

The Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Program does not provide any commissioner services.

Our office cannot provide advice as to whether a particular form or document can be witnessed by a commissioner. You may wish to consult a lawyer in such cases.