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Part of Careers in law and justice

Notaries Public

Instructions, codes of conduct and how to apply to be appointed as a notary public.

The Ministry of Justice appoints (but does not provide) notaries public and administers the act and regulations.

Duties

Notaries public are part of our legal system. Every notary public can:

  • administer oaths or take affidavits, affirmations or declarations
  • attest the oaths, affidavits, affirmations or declarations
  • certify and attest a true copy of a document
  • witness or certify and attest the execution of a document

Notary public seal

A notary public must have a seal which shows:

  • the notary public’s name
  • the words "Notary Public"
  • the words "Province of Alberta"

Notary public as appointed

Notary public appointments are issued under the Notaries and Commissioners Act.

Notaries public by status

These people are notaries public because of their office or status:

  • judges
  • lawyers or students-at-law
  • members of the Alberta legislature
  • members of Parliament from Alberta
  • Canadian senators who were a resident of Alberta at the time of their Senate appointment

Code of Conduct

Notaries public in Alberta are governed by the Notaries and Commissioners Act and associated regulations.

Notaries are also subject to a code of conduct set forth in the regulation which has been passed under the act. They must not notarize or participate in the preparation or delivery of a document that is:

  • false
  • incomplete
  • misleading
  • deceptive
  • fraudulent

Notaries must also not participate in the preparation or delivery of any document that:

  • has the false appearance of being issued by a court or other legitimate authority
  • is intended to deceive any person
  • is otherwise lacking valid legal effect

For more information on Organized pseudolegal commercial argument (OPCA) litigants and dealing with such individuals, see OPCA Litigants – The Phenomenon of Freemen on the Land (Law Society of Alberta).

How to apply

Appointments for notaries public are issued under the Notaries and Commissioners Act. To apply for an appointment as a notary public you must:

  • be 18 years of age or older
  • be a resident of Alberta
  • have no criminal record
  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • meet certain eligibility requirements

Step 1. Read the Application Process and Review Criteria document

Thoroughly read the Application Process and Review Criteria for more information about your requirements.

Step 2. Email to get an application

Email Official Documents and Appointments to get an application: [email protected].

Completing and filing an application form does not guarantee your appointment as a non-lawyer notary public.

Publications

Instructions and codes of conduct

These booklets:

  • were made to help notaries public do their duties
  • are not legal advice

Notaries public information

Notaries public must follow the standards in the:

If there are differences between the booklets and the Notaries and Commissioners Act or the Notaries Public Regulation, the act and the regulations govern.

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