FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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A notary public is a public official appointed by the provincial government to help deter fraud. The main functions of a notary are to witness and authenticate the execution of certain documents, verify the identity of the signer(s), verify the signer(s)' willingness to sign the documents, and verify their awareness of the contents of the document or transaction. 

A commissioner of oaths is a public official appointed by a provincial government who can administer oaths and take and receive affidavits, statutory declarations, and affirmations in order to establish the trueness of a document or statement.

The main differences between a notary public and a commissioner of oaths is that the documents of a commissioner of oaths cannot be executed or used outside of the province of Ontario. As well, a commissioner of oaths' authority is limited, and if a client wishes to make a certified true copy of a document, attest an oath or certify the execution of a document, the services of a notary are required.

Yes! Our notaries are licensed lawyers or paralegals in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.

The main purpose of having certain documents notarized is to act as a deterrent to fraud. Documents under seal of a notary are presumed by law to have been signed by the people identified in the document and certified copies under the seal of a notary are presumed to be true and exact copies of the original document.

No, notaries must be present for the signing of a document in order to notarize the signature, however, notaries can certify true copies of documents which have already been notarized. 

A notary will ask to see your current government-issued identification document or card with a photograph, physical description and signature. For example, a driver’s license, passport or Ontario photo card.

A notarization does not make a document legally binding. It only authenticates the identification of the signer or certifies that a copy is an exact duplicate of an original.  

A notary does not provide legal advice or prepare legal documents. Notaries are forbidden from preparing legal documents or acting as a legal advisor unless he or she has been retained as a lawyer or paralegal.

No, in Canada documents cannot be apostilled because Canada is not a member to the international treaty that allows for the apostilling of documents.  

The alternative to apostilling documents in Canada is a three step process:

1. Visit a notary public to get the document notarized;
2. Get the Notary Public’s seal authenticated; and
3. Take this document to the consulate general or embassy for the country that you need it for and get it legalized.

• Certified True Copies of Documents;
• Witnessing a Signature;
• Commissioning of Oaths, Affidavits, Solemn Affirmations and Declarations;
• Consent to Travel Documents;
• Invitation Letters;
• Property Documents;
• Passports - in Lieu of Guarantor form;
• Court Documents;
• Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada Forms;
• Notarizing Wills & Powers of Attorney;
• Fingerprints & Criminal Record Check Notarization/Certification;
• Translated Documents;
• Electronic Document Certification; and
• Service Ontario/Ministry of Finance Documents.
   

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Our prices start from $32.99. Please view our prices for more information.

Yes! Our notaries are licensed lawyers or paralegals in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.

Many documents can be notarized online including:

• Oaths, Affidavits, Solemn Affirmations and Declarations;
• Consent to Travel Documents;
• Invitation Letters;
• Property Documents;
• Passports - In Lieu of Guarantor Form;
• Ontario Court Forms (including Form 35.1: Affidavit in Support of Claim for Custody or Access, Form 35.1A: Affidavit - Child Protection Information);
• OSAP Affidavits;
• Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada Forms;
• Fingerprints & Criminal Record Check Notarization/Certification;
• Translated Documents;
• Insurance Claims;
• Professional Accreditation;
• Sworn Statement for a Family Gift of a Used Motor Vehicle and other Vehicle Ownership Transfer documents;
• Last Will and Testaments;
• Powers of Attorney;
• Electronic Document Certification; and
• Service Ontario/Ministry of Finance Documents.
   

Please view our services for more information.

• Certified True Copies of Documents;
• Trusts;
• Separation/Divorce Agreements; and
• Negotiable Instruments.
   

Please view our services for more information.