Review and approval process

Please note that all applications received by the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Program are considered on a case-by-case basis and are assessed against the same program criteria. 

Processing timelines

The Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Program receives numerous applications each month. Applications may take up to 12 weeks to review and process. In certain circumstances (such as applications that are incomplete or raise potential public protection concerns), applications may take longer than 12 weeks to review and process. 

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 on this website carefully when preparing your application and ensure that your package is addressed correctly (see Contact information). See Apply for an appointment and Apply for a subsequent appointment for detailed instructions.

Applications with incomplete, illegible or missing information cannot be processed. Our office may contact you or return your application package if there are issues with your application. Common issues include:

• Incomplete, illegible or missing information in your application package, for example:
  • the wrong form was submitted (as of January 2023, there is a new application and online payment system)
  • you have not signed and dated Part 4 – Certification of the form and Part 3 - Certification of the examination
  • your employer or volunteer supervisor has not signed and dated Part 5 – Employer/volunteer supervisor verification of the form; or if self-employed, the required reference is missing
  • the completed, signed and dated form (includes exam and payment option) is not submitted as instructed (as an email attachment, or printed and mailed in)
  • you are not identified as fee exempt, but the application fee is missing
• Part 5: Statement of Purpose section does not clearly demonstrate legitimate need to perform commissioner functions as part of existing employment or work with a volunteer organization, including:
  • what documents you intend to commission (if available, please provide blank forms or redacted samples),
  • whose signatures you will be witnessing on those documents (i.e., employees, officials or clients of your organization)
  • how commissioning of these documents is both
     
    • relevant (i.e., what are the steps in your workflow that require commissioning?) and
    • necessary (please list any relevant legislation that permits, authorizes or requires these documents to be commissioned)

​​​to your existing work or volunteer duties;

• commissioning documents is your sole or primary duty or accountability in your employment or volunteer role;
• any public protection concerns are identified during review.

Review and approval

Applications are reviewed by the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Program and the ministry responsible and assessed against program criteria.

If your application is approved, a PDF appointment order will be emailed to the email address provided in your application. The PDF appointment order will show the effective and expiry dates of your appointment, as well as any restrictions that may be attached to your appointment.

If your application is declined, your application will be returned to you and any applicable appointment fee refunded or returned (as applicable).

The CFTA lookup tool is updated once a month to reflect new appointments, and can be used to view commissioner appointments (1996-present), including term dates and restrictions.

Restrictions and conditions

Commissioner appointments are subject to the Evidence Act and regulations, and may include restrictions and conditions set by the Attorney General. The term of appointment is 3 years. 

Persons who are commissioners by appointment:

• Can only provide services relating to their existing employment or involvement in a volunteer organization
• Are prohibited from charging fees for providing commissioner services, except where the fees are specifically allowed under other statutes
• Are prohibited from providing commissioner services after the expiry of their appointment term