Lucas CloutierWe’ve all had those notary encounters that leave you feeling less like you’ve accomplished a legal task and more like you’ve survived a low-stakes escape room.
After one particularly memorable experience involving a notary who seemed personally offended by the concept of doing work, and a document that emerged bearing more staple holes than actual text, I realized I should have done more research beforehand.
Keeping my horrid experience in mind, I enlisted the rest of the Waterview Vancouver team to help me find notary publics in the city worth going to. Here are the notaries we found that are actually efficient and pleasant to deal with.
How much does it cost to get a document notarized in Vancouver?
It costs at least 40 CAD to get a document notarized in Vancouver.
This is just an estimate. The actual cost will vary depending on the amount of copies, signatures, and more.
1. A.J. Kwong Notary Public
Address: 1529 W 6th Ave Unit #316
Contact Details: +1 604-330-2485
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Friday – 9 AM to 4 PM
A.J. Kwong Notary Corporation, also known as Broadway Notaries, stands out to us for its efficient and approachable style.
We like that they handle a wide range of needs, from real estate transactions and estate planning to more common documents like travel authorizations and affidavits.
Several of their clients appreciate their smooth process, especially during stressful situations like property purchases. Others mentioned how A.J. patiently answered all their questions, making them feel very comfortable.
We also appreciate their quick notary turnaround times and how they even can provide witnesses for the notary signatures if needed. Of course, they also have no problem with administering oaths too.
The only complaint we’ve gotten wind of is unexpected extra charges appearing on the bill, which can frustrating.
The notary provided exceptional service
“I had an excellent experience getting a letter of guarantee notarized. The notary provided exceptional service, was highly professional, and incredibly accommodating! I would highly recommend their services to anyone in need of a notary. Fantastic experience from start to finish!”
–Lucia Clement Google Reviews
Was super flexible with the timing
“A.J. is diligent and detailed. He caught a 0.40$ mistake from the buyer’s lawyer. He checks everything so thoroughly to make sure you don’t pay a penny (or in this case 40 cents) more than needed. Additionally our bank was slow getting him the paperwork that he needed, and he was able to work quickly and accurately with the tight timeline they left him with. Plus he was super flexible with the timing of the appointment to sign docs. He’s organized and explains everything clearly. We greatly appreciated having him on our team to ensure the sale of our home went smoothly. His rates are also very reasonable!”
–Karen Olson Google Reviews
2. Notary Castro – Downtown Vancouver Notary Public
Address: 515 W Pender St Suite #224
Contact Details: +1 604-696-6042
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Notary Castro, headed by Juliana Castro, goes beyond standard notary services. Apart from affidavits and statutory declarations, she also handles apostille services and authentication of international documents.
We think this demonstrates her commitment to Vancouver’s multicultural community.
Everyone we spoke to consistently praised Juliana’s professionalism and attention to detail. Many particularly appreciated her expertise in navigating the often complex process of obtaining an apostille for international adoption documents.
We like how she patiently explains each step to the clients. This can be really reassuring since this can be such a confusing and stressful process.
Additionally, we’re impressed that Notary Castro also covers things like attestation of signatures, insurance loss declarations, travel letters of invitation, and travel authorizations.
The only downside? Due to Juliana’s high demand, some clients find her difficult to reach by phone.
They helped me with all the procedures
“I recently used Notary Castro’s services when purchasing my apartment, and the experience was excellent. They helped me with all the procedures to register my property and took care of every detail efficiently. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and made the entire process stress-free. I truly appreciated their guidance and support, which gave me confidence throughout. Highly recommend Notary Castro for anyone buying property!”
–Ricardo Castillo, Google Reviews
Nice, friendly, and professional throughout the entire process
“Had an excellent experience! The notary was incredibly nice, friendly, and professional throughout the entire process. Everything was handled quickly and efficiently, making what could have been a stressful task completely stress-free. Highly recommend their services!”
–Tetiana Totska, Google Reviews
3. Wynne Fong Notary Public
Address: 505 W 57th Ave
Contact Details: +1 604-259-6499
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Wynne Fong Notary Public impresses us with their commitment to accessibility. They offer their services in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese. This multilingual approach makes them an excellent choice for Vancouver’s diverse community.
Several people mentioned how helpful it was to have someone who could explain legal documents in Cantonese and Mandarin.
Their range of notarial services is also impressive, covering everything from basic notarizations to affidavits for BC public registries. They also do more specialized documents like international authentications and legal name change documentation.
Many of their clients praise their efficiency, particularly when it comes to gathering travel consent letters and passport documentation.
However, we did hear reports of occasional discrepancies between the initially quoted prices and the final bill. So, we’d recommend confirming the pricing upfront.
Helpful insights throughout the process
“We had a great experience working with Wynne! She provided helpful insights throughout the process and went above and beyond to confirm everything was good to go before the closing date. Wynne is very thorough and knowledgeable which gave us peace of mind as we purchased our first home. Highly recommended!”
–Ryah Bagshaw, Google Reviews
Very thorough in addressing my questions
“I was referred to Wynne through friends and family and used her services for a property purchase. Wynne and her team were amazing and has exceptional client service – they responded to all my emails promptly, they were very thorough in addressing my questions and walking me through the process, and Wynne was able to translate the transaction seamlessly in Cantonese which was much appreciated. I would highly recommend Wynne Fong Notary Public and I will be using her for other services!”
–Jenny Chan, Google Reviews
4. Nicolas Lejeune Notary Public
Address: 525 W 8th Ave #800
Contact Details: +1 778-385-6008
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Nicolas Lejeune Notary Public stands out for handling a wide variety of needs, from real estate transactions and estate planning to more common documents like affidavits.
But what really sets them apart is their honest communication. Clients consistently praise Nicolas and his staff for their clear explanations and willingness to answer any questions, ensuring they feel confident throughout the process.
The quick turnaround time for his services and convenience-focused approach are also standout features. Whether you need signers or additional support, they make the notarization process seamless from start to finish.
While we do love their personalized service, it is hard to get an appointment with them. If you’re considering their services, it’s best to plan ahead.
The entire process was smooth and efficient
“I recently used Nicolas Lejeune Notary services for my document motorization, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. The entire process was smooth and efficient. I appreciate their friendly and accommodating approaches. I highly recommend Nicolas to anyone in need of notary services. Thanks for your great service!”
–Kenza Alami, Google Reviews
Professionalism, knowledge, and efficiency stood out
“I had the pleasure of working with Nicolas Lejeune to resolve some documentary issues. His professionalism, knowledge, and efficiency stood out, making the process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend his services for anyone in need of expert notary assistance. Thank you, Nicolas Lejeune!”
–Vlada Zakharova, Google Reviews
5. Michael Tin, Notary Public
Address: 7012 Victoria Dr
Contact Details: +1 604-254-1222
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Michael Tin Notary Public is the go-to choice for those who value efficiency, reliability, and no-nonsense service. Known for their fast turnaround times, they’re the ones to call when you need documents notarized without unnecessary delays.
We really love their consistent efforts in providing reliable customer service. People love the ease and speed of their processes, and we couldn’t agree more.
Everyone we’ve spoken to has been nothing but kind and patient with us.
Clients also appreciate their straightforward approach to document notarization. There are no flashy marketing or gimmicks, just clear and legally sound service.
The only thing we aren’t a fan of is how their phone lines are often busy and hard to reach. However, once you’re there in person, they are quick to do the job.
Very professional.
“Quick and Great service. Great Communication. Very professional. Took about 2 minutes. Accommodated me last minute. Even printed the document for me.”
–Vandit Mahajan, Google Reviews
Did a fantastic job reviewing my documents
“Lovely experience! Michael did a fantastic job reviewing my documents and was sure to pay attention to the little details.Highly recommend – thanks again, Michael!”
–Cally Levecque, Google Reviews
