Commissioner for Taking Affidavits in Abbotsford, BC
A Commissioner for Taking Affidavits is a person authorized under British Columbia law to administer oaths and affirmations, so that affidavits and statutory declarations are properly sworn. Waymark Immigration is authorized to take affidavits in BC and commissions immigration documents at our Abbotsford office. You sign the document in front of the commissioner, who then signs, dates and stamps it.
What a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits Does
A Commissioner for Taking Affidavits — commonly called a commissioner for oaths — is authorized under British Columbia's Evidence Act to administer oaths and affirmations. In practical terms, the commissioner witnesses your signature on a sworn document, confirms that you understand you are making a truthful statement, and then completes the jurat: the block that reads “Sworn (or affirmed) before me at Abbotsford, British Columbia…”
The commissioner is not certifying that the contents of your document are true. That responsibility stays with you, the deponent or declarant. What the commissioner confirms is your identity, that you attended in person, that you understood the oath or affirmation, and that you signed freely. Making a false sworn statement is a serious matter, which is why the commissioner reads the oath or affirmation aloud and asks you to confirm it before anything is signed.
Commissioner for Taking Affidavits vs. Notary Public in BC
Both can witness a sworn document, but the scope is different. A commissioner in BC is authorized to administer oaths and affirmations and to take affidavits and statutory declarations. A BC notary public is a member of the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia — lawyers are also notaries by virtue of their call to the bar — and has a far broader practice.
- Scope — a commissioner deals with oaths, affirmations and sworn statements. A notary can also prepare wills, powers of attorney and real estate conveyancing documents.
- Where the document is going — documents intended for use outside British Columbia, or that must be authenticated and legalized by Global Affairs Canada or a foreign consulate, are normally handled by a notary public or a lawyer. Requirements differ by receiving authority, so confirm what your form asks for.
- What you end up with — a commissioner signs, dates and stamps the jurat. A notary may instead apply a notarial seal and a separate certificate.
If you are not sure which one you need, send us the instruction page. We will tell you before you make the trip — and if you need a notary or a lawyer instead, we will say so.
Documents We Commonly Commission for Immigration Files
- Statutory declarations — declarations of common-law union, name or date-of-birth discrepancies between documents, and explanations for records that cannot be obtained.
- Sworn affidavits — written statements of fact used to support an application or a proceeding.
- Invitation letters for visitor visa and super visa applicants, where the host in Canada wants to give a sworn undertaking about accommodation and support.
- Parental consent and travel consent letters for a child travelling with one parent, a grandparent, a relative or a school group.
- Certified true copies of passports, diplomas, transcripts, birth and marriage certificates and similar supporting records.
For a certified true copy, bring the original. The photocopy is compared against the original in front of you, then endorsed with a statement that it is a true copy, together with the commissioner's signature, printed name and title. Application guides sometimes set out their own wording or list who may certify a copy, so check your checklist and tell us in advance.
When an Immigration Application Needs a Sworn Document
Immigration files need a sworn statement when the paper record does not tell the whole story. Typical examples: declaring a common-law relationship where there is no marriage certificate; explaining a gap in your employment or address history; confirming that two documents showing different spellings refer to the same person; or setting out the history of a relationship in a family sponsorship application.
Travel consent letters sit in a different category. A child leaving Canada with one parent or another adult is not legally required to carry a consent letter, but Canadian and foreign border officers may ask to see one, and a commissioned letter carries more weight than an unwitnessed note. The same logic applies to invitation letters supporting a visitor visa application.
Not sure whether your form must be sworn? Look for the words declare, solemnly declare or swear, or for a jurat block with space for a commissioner's signature. Our services page sets out the applications we handle.
What to Bring — and Why You Must Not Sign Beforehand
Do not sign the document before your appointment. An affidavit or statutory declaration must be signed in the physical presence of the commissioner. A signature added earlier cannot be witnessed after the fact, so you would need to print a clean copy and start again. If a signed version was prepared elsewhere, bring an unsigned copy too.
Please bring:
- Valid government-issued photo identification — passport, BC driver's licence, photo BC Services Card, permanent resident card or citizenship card. It must be current, and the name must match the document being sworn.
- The completed but unsigned document, with every blank filled in.
- Supporting papers referred to in the document, plus the originals of anything to be certified as a true copy.
- Everyone else who has to sign — for example both parents on a travel consent letter, each with their own photo ID.
You must attend in person, understand what you are signing, and sign of your own free will. If you would rather have the document explained in Punjabi or Hindi, say so when you book. Fees for commissioner services are confirmed at the time of booking.
Book a Commissioner Appointment in Abbotsford
Waymark Immigration is at Unit 312, 34334 Forrest Terrace, Abbotsford, BC V2S 1G7, and we see clients from across Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Langley and Surrey. Call +1-604-750-8846 or use our contact page to arrange a time. We recommend booking ahead so a commissioner is available when you arrive and so we can check that your document is the right type first.
Because we are also a licensed immigration consulting practice (RCIC licence R1034253), we can look at the application behind the signature, not just the signature. If your sworn document belongs to a larger file — a sponsorship, a work permit or a study permit — you can deal with the whole matter in one visit. Meet the people you will be working with on our team page. We serve clients in English, Punjabi and Hindi.
Last reviewed by Arshdeep Singh Brar, RCIC-IRB, licence R1034253.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits the same as a notary public?
No. Both can witness sworn documents, but a commissioner in British Columbia is authorized to administer oaths and affirmations and to take affidavits and statutory declarations. A BC notary public has a much broader practice that also covers wills, powers of attorney and conveyancing, and generally handles documents destined for use outside the province or requiring authentication abroad. Check what your form asks for, and we will confirm before you attend.
Can I sign the document before I come to the appointment?
No. An affidavit or statutory declaration has to be signed in the commissioner's presence — that is the whole point of the exercise. A signature added beforehand cannot be witnessed afterwards, so you would need to print a fresh copy and sign it again in front of us. Bring the document complete and filled in, but leave the signature line and the date blank until you arrive.
What identification do I need to bring?
Bring current government-issued photo identification: a passport, BC driver's licence, photo BC Services Card, permanent resident card or citizenship card. The name on your ID needs to match the name on the document being sworn, so tell us in advance if there is a discrepancy, as that may itself need a statutory declaration. Everyone who signs must bring their own photo ID and attend in person.
Can you make certified true copies for my immigration application?
Yes. Bring the original document and we will compare the photocopy against it in front of you, then endorse the copy as a true copy with a signature, printed name and title. Application guides sometimes specify who may certify a copy or what wording is required, and this varies between application types, so check your checklist and let us know what it says when you book.
Do I need an appointment, and what does it cost?
An appointment is strongly recommended so that a commissioner is available when you arrive and we can confirm your document is the right type before you travel. Fees for commissioner services are confirmed at the time of booking. Call +1-604-750-8846 or use the contact page, and tell us what the document is, how many signatures are involved, and whether you need Punjabi or Hindi.
Still unsure how this applies to your case? Book a free consultation with a licensed RCIC.