Signing Agents
Signing Agents in Calgary, Alberta
Finding Signing Agents Located in Calgary, Alberta
Kahane Law Office offers signing agents services in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Our office is centrally located in Calgary. We also offer free parking. We are able to provide a variety of these services. In some jurisdictions, signing agents are sometimes referred to as a Courtesy Signer. In most instances, our office books these appointments for the same day or the next day, when needed.
Why Are Signing Agents Required?
There are a number of situations that require signing agents. These include when documents must be signed in front of a Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, or Witness. Usually a signing agent’s purpose is to attest to the identity of an individual. They also witness or take an oath (or declaration) of an individual. For example, frequent documents that need signing from outside the province include documents for:
- The sale or purchase of a business;
- Buying, selling or refinancing real estate;
- Financing or loans;
- Probating estates;
- Litigation matters;
- Insurance claims; and lastly
- Governmental forms.
Agents In Other Alberta Cities
Often people have transactions within Alberta. They may need a signing agent within the province to avoid having to travel to that other city. For example, an individual buying a home in Calgary but who lives in Edmonton, may use a lawyer in Edmonton to sign the paperwork drafted in Calgary. It is important to note that a lawyer in Alberta may act throughout the province of Alberta. No limits exist for practicing in the different cities or towns within the province.
Out Of Province Signing Agents
The most frequent signing agent service we offer is for out of province agency work. This involves situations, transactions or paperwork required in another Canadian Province. If the person who must sign the paperwork does not wish to (or cannot) travel to that province, then an out of province signing agent allows the individual to sign in their home province. For example, this often occurs when a person buys or sells real estate in a province other than the one they live in. Instead of traveling to sign paperwork, the lawyer in the province in which the property is, prepares all the documents and then sends them for signing in a place convenient for the buyer or seller.
Out Of Country Signing Agents
Much like an out of province signing agent, an out of country agents assist in the execution of documents that come from another country. As noted below, lawyers lack the ability to give legal advice outside the jurisdiction where called to the bar (where they practice). If the documents that must be signed are in another language, you may or may not require a translated copy. We frequently act in assisting in executing these documents but must stamp the documents noting that they were witnessed, commissioned or notarized only and no legal advice was sought or given. This is different than authentication as described by the Canadian Government.
What A Signing Agent Cannot Do
Each province and territory in Canada regulates lawyers, notaries or commissioner in Canada. A signing agent cannot give legal advice for another jurisdiction. This means that a lawyer in one province, cannot normally give legal advice to someone about a matter that falls under another provincial jurisdiction. There are some lawyers admitted to the bar in more than one province.
Further limits exist for giving legal advice when meeting with someone to assist in executing legal paperwork drafted by someone else. In this case, even when a signing agent is used within the same jurisdiction (For example, within Alberta), legal advice or direction is only given when a lawyer is retained to do so. This is an additional service than acting as a signing agent. Therefore, in both instances, the lawyer meeting with you to execute the documents, may not give independent legal advice.
The Cost Of Hiring A Lawyer To Execute Documents With You
As with most legal matters, the cost of meeting with a lawyer in these instances varies depending on how many documents require execution. For example, the cost of attending to 5 documents differs from situations where you need 25 documents signed. As a general rule the cost is $65+GST for a single document notary. For differing transactions, the costs vary however, they typically range from $225 – $400+GST. Further, if you require documents couriered to the other lawyer, the cost of the courier (the actual cost) is an additional cost.
Setting Up An Appointment With Signing Agents In Calgary
To schedule an appointment with one of our signing agents, please contact our team at Kahane Law Office. We also offer walk-in or while-you-wait service. As a general rules, we suggest making an appointment with our signing agents when there are multiple documents for execution. We will also need to know if you need a witness, notary or commissioner for oaths. We can be reached toll-free at 1-877-225-8817 (or 403-225-8810 locally in Calgary, Alberta), or email us directly here.