To assist Albertans with self-isolation and social distancing during the spread of COVID-19, effective today, the Government of Alberta is temporarily allowing the registration of Land Titles documents that have been witnessed, sworn or affirmed by Alberta lawyers using two-way teleconferencing.
- This is a temporary measure as the government responds to the spread of COVID-19.
- Land Titles will only accept documents commissioned or witnessed via videoconferencing from lawyers who are active, practicing, and insured in Alberta. Lawyers are subject to the Law Society of Alberta’s client identification and verification rules and oversight.
- Original signatures are still required on all documents.
- These measures will be in place as long as the state of public health emergency remains in effect.
For more information on the Land Titles forms that this change applies to,
read the official letter. The
Ministerial Order is limited to situations in which a lawyer is the witness or is acting as a commissioner or notary in administering an oath while a deponent is signing an affidavit. The lawyer must be an active practicing and indemnified member of the Law Society of Alberta. The Order also states that lawyers are subject to the Law Society’s client verification rules and oversight.
The Law Society of Alberta has also
developed guidance for lawyers for using video teleconferencing for these purposes.
