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Summary: In British Columbia, signing meetings happen in person. Your lawyer or notary walks you through the closing documents, confirms your identity, answers questions, and witnesses your signature. Land transfer and most mortgage documents require wet-ink signing, typically a few business days before completion.
If you're closing on a home in British Columbia, your signing meeting is one of the final steps before closing day. It's where your lawyer or notary explains the closing documents, verifies who you are, and witnesses your signature so the transaction can move ahead to registration and completion. Understanding what to expect makes the appointment quick and straightforward.
What is a signing meeting in British Columbia?
A signing meeting is the appointment where your lawyer or notary walks you through the closing documents, confirms your identity, answers your questions, and witnesses your signature. In BC, this happens in person. For land transfer documents, and for most mortgage documents, the standard process is wet-ink signing in the presence of a lawyer, notary public, or other authorized witness.
Why does signing happen in person in BC?
This is one of the key things to know about a BC closing: you should expect to attend an in-person signing appointment. The legal representative typically meets with the client before completion to explain and sign the closing documents, and transfer documents must be witnessed by an authorized officer.
How does Ownright make in-person signing easier?
Even though signing happens in person, that does not mean it has to be inconvenient. At Ownright, we work with a notary network across BC, so we can arrange for you to meet at a central, convenient location for your signing appointment. That means you can complete this step in person without having to travel unnecessarily far.
What happens before the signing meeting?
Before your meeting, your closing team prepares the documents and runs the legal work that supports the appointment, so the signing itself stays focused. The behind-the-scenes work underway at this stage includes:
Preparing the transfer documents
Preparing the mortgage documents, if you're financing
Assembling the rest of the closing package
Completing searches, due diligence, and document preparation
What happens during the signing meeting?
During the signing meeting, your lawyer or notary will explain the documents, walk you through where to sign, and answer any questions you have before anything is finalized. This is your opportunity to understand what you're signing and make sure everything is clear before closing moves ahead. Signing appointments are typically held a few business days before completion.
What should you bring to the signing meeting?
You should expect to bring valid government-issued photo ID and be ready to sign in ink. To prepare:
Bring valid government-issued photo ID for identity verification.
Be ready to sign in ink, since documents require wet-ink signatures.
Plan for the documents to be properly witnessed as part of the closing workflow.
What happens after signing?
Your signing meeting is one of the last major milestones before closing, and in BC it happens in person. The goal is to make sure your identity is verified, your documents are explained clearly, and everything is signed properly before registration and closing.
Frequently asked questions
Are real estate closing documents signed in person in BC?
Yes. In British Columbia, signing happens in person. For land transfer documents and most mortgage documents, the standard process is wet-ink signing in the presence of a lawyer, notary public, or other authorized witness.
When does the signing appointment take place?
Signing appointments are typically held a few business days before completion, after your closing team has prepared the transfer documents, mortgage documents, and the rest of the closing package.
What do I need to bring to my signing meeting?
Bring valid government-issued photo ID and be ready to sign in ink. Identity verification is an important part of the process, and the documents need to be properly witnessed as part of the closing workflow.
Do I have to travel far for the appointment?
Not necessarily. Ownright works with a notary network across BC, so we can arrange for you to meet at a central, convenient location, letting you complete the in-person step without travelling unnecessarily far.
Who witnesses the documents?
Your lawyer, a notary public, or another authorized witness. Transfer documents must be witnessed by an authorized officer as part of the BC closing process.
About the author
Joel Fox is a co-founder and COO at Ownright. He helps run the firm's day-to-day work on Ontario residential closings, refinances, and sales, and writes regularly to demystify the parts of a transaction that most homeowners only encounter once or twice in their lives.
At Ownright, we work with a notary network across BC so your in-person signing appointment can happen at a central, convenient location, with your documents explained clearly and your identity verified before registration and closing. You can start your closing online or get in touch with any questions.
Important note: This article is not legal advice. No one should act, or refrain from acting, based solely on the information in this post or any linked materials without first seeking appropriate legal or professional advice.