How to Become a Notary Public in British Columbia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Society of Notaries Public of BC to work as a notary public in British Columbia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Notary Public
Show the source
“To practice as a non-lawyer Notary Public in British Columbia, you must be a member of the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia (the Society).”
From snpbc.ca/become-a-notary, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps, listed one-time fees $450
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 4 steps (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Society of Notaries Public of BC
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- Listed one-time fees: $450
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 6 months (only 1 of 5 steps state a time)
-
The applicant completes the SFU Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies program or holds a law degree from a Canadian law school.
Source
“Must have the SFU Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies (MA ALS) or a law degree (JD or LL.B) from a Canadian law school.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary -
The applicant submits an application package and application fee to the Society through the online application portal by the deadline.
- Application fee: $450
Source
“You must submit your application package and application fee to the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia using the online application portal by the application deadline.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary -
The applicant completes the Notary Education Program, which includes in-person classes, mentoring, online classes, skills assessments and statutory admission exams.
Time: 6 monthsTime source
“The Notary Education Program is a 6-month program, running from January to June.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faqSource
“The Notary Education Program is comprised of: - In-person classes - Mentoring with an approved mentor - Additional online classes; - Skills Assessments; and - Statutory Admission Exams”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary -
The applicant successfully completes the statutory examinations, which are conducted before commissioning.
Source
“The statutory examinations are conducted before commissioning. Throughout the course, statutory skills assessments and examinations are held.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faq -
The applicant applies to the court, which determines whether they are a fit person for enrolment, and after passing the required examination and taking an oath of office and paying the prescribed fee is enrolled as a member.
Source
“If an applicant (a) files proof with the registrar that the applicant has satisfactorily passed the required examination and has taken an oath of office in the prescribed form before a judge of the court, and (b) pays the prescribed fee, the registrar must enrol the applicant as a member.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/application_process
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $450
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $450 | 100% |
| One-time total | $450 | 100% |
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 6 months (only 1 of 3 steps state a time)
-
A notary from another province must complete the SFU Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies program.
Source
“Notaries from other provinces would be required to complete the SFU MA ALS program, Notary Education Program, and the statutory examinations in order to be commissioned and become a member.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faq -
The applicant must complete the Notary Education Program.
Time: 6 monthsTime source
“The Notary Education Program is a 6-month program, running from January to June.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faqSource
“Notaries from other provinces would be required to complete the SFU MA ALS program, Notary Education Program, and the statutory examinations in order to be commissioned and become a member.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faq -
The applicant must complete the statutory examinations in order to be commissioned and become a member.
Source
“Notaries from other provinces would be required to complete the SFU MA ALS program, Notary Education Program, and the statutory examinations in order to be commissioned and become a member.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faq
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Society of Notaries Public of BC
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 4 done
- 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
The applicant obtains a comprehensive report from the International Credential Evaluations Centre as part of the application.
Source
“A comprehensive report from the International Credential Evaluations Centre;”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary -
The applicant submits a complete online application form with reference letters, a licensee reference, certificates of standing, disclosure authorizations and the application fee.
- Application fee: $450 (plus GST)
Source
“Your application to the Society will consist of – - A complete submitted online application form; - A comprehensive report from the International Credential Evaluations Centre; - Character reference letters from three referees; - A reference from a licensee of the Society in active practice; - A certificate of standing from all law societies of which you are or have been a member, issued not more than 60 days prior to the date of application; - An authorization for any law society in which the applicant is or was a member to disclose information about complaints and discipline including remedial action with consent; - The application fee of $450.00 plus GST.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary -
Upon review and acceptance of the application, the applicant is advised of the education and training requirements and may be eligible to enroll in the Notary Education Program as directed by the Society’s Membership & Admissions Committee.
Source
“Upon review and acceptance of an application, applicants will be advised of the education and training requirements. All applicants must successfully complete the statutory examinations.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary -
All applicants must successfully complete the statutory examinations.
Source
“Upon review and acceptance of an application, applicants will be advised of the education and training requirements. All applicants must successfully complete the statutory examinations.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary
Listed fees for this route
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
The applicant must have the SFU Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies or a law degree (JD or LL.B) from a Canadian law school.
Source
“Must have the SFU Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies (MA ALS) or a law degree (JD or LL.B) from a Canadian law school.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notaryThe applicant must have completed an approved post-secondary education accounting course.
Source
“Must have completed an approved post-secondary education accounting course, and”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary
Police check
The applicant must authorize the SNPBC to conduct a credit history and criminal record check.
Source
“Must authorize the SNPBC to conduct a credit history and criminal record check.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary
Good character
The court determines whether an applicant is a fit person for enrolment as a member.
Source
“The Act provides for any person who is a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident to apply to the court as the court holds the register and is responsible to determine whether an applicant is a fit person for enrolment as a member.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary
Residency
The applicant must be a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident of Canada.
Other
The applicant must provide three letters of reference, which cannot be provided by friends or family members.
Source
“Three letters of reference are required. These cannot be provided by friends or family members.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faqThe applicant must provide a Notary reference from a Notary who is currently in active practice.
Source
“No, for this requirement, you will need a practicing Notary Public to provide a Notary reference. The reference should be from a Notary who is currently in active practice.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faq
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Notaries from other provinces must complete the SFU MA ALS program, the Notary Education Program, and the statutory examinations to be commissioned and become a member. Source
“Notaries from other provinces would be required to complete the SFU MA ALS program, Notary Education Program, and the statutory examinations in order to be commissioned and become a member.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faq
Complete SFU MA ALS
Source
“Notaries from other provinces would be required to complete the SFU MA ALS program, Notary Education Program, and the statutory examinations in order to be commissioned and become a member.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faqComplete the NEP
Source
“Notaries from other provinces would be required to complete the SFU MA ALS program, Notary Education Program, and the statutory examinations in order to be commissioned and become a member.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faqPass statutory examinations
Source
“Notaries from other provinces would be required to complete the SFU MA ALS program, Notary Education Program, and the statutory examinations in order to be commissioned and become a member.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faq
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Society of Notaries Public of BC
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Society of Notaries Public of BC
Exams
-
Statutory Admission Exams
-
statutory examinations
Source
“The statutory examinations are conducted before commissioning. Throughout the course, statutory skills assessments and examinations are held.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faq
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Society of Notaries Public of BC
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Society of Notaries Public of BC
Supervised practice
Required
The mentoring requirement involves spending 6 weeks in a Notary practice under the supervision of an approved Notary Public. Source
“The mentoring requirement involves spending 6 weeks in a Notary practice under the supervision of an approved Notary Public.”
snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faq
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $26.43 | $39.58 | $50.67 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $21.63 | $33.05 | $52.19 | — |
Notary publics in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Become a Notary – Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia snpbc.ca/become-a-notary · fetched October 10, 2026
- Application Process – Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/application_process · fetched October 10, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions – Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia snpbc.ca/become-a-notary/faq · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a notary public in British Columbia?
Yes. Registration with the Society of Notaries Public of BC is required to practise in British Columbia, and to use the title Notary Public.
Which exams are required?
Statutory Admission Exams, statutory examinations.
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