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Investment Agreements and Share Transfers: The Role of Notaries in Ontario

When you’re dealing with investment agreements or transferring shares in a corporation, every signature matters. These documents often involve money, ownership rights, and long-term business commitments. That’s why having them notarized correctly is essential especially here in Ontario, where businesses of all sizes rely on clear, enforceable paperwork.

Whether you’re an investor, a business owner, or someone supporting a family-run corporation, a notary plays a crucial role in ensuring your documents are properly executed and ready to be used whenever you need them.

Why Investment Agreements Need Notarization

Investment agreements outline the terms between an investor and a business.

They often cover:

How much is being invested
Ownership percentages
Rights and obligations of each party
Exit clauses or what happens if someone chooses to leave

While notarization isn’t always legally required for these types of contracts, it adds credibility, reduces disputes, and ensures all parties are who they say they are.

A notary helps by:

Verifying the identity of signers
Confirming everyone understands the document
Ensuring the signature is voluntary
Affixing a seal that proves the document is authentic

This is especially important when these agreements are used in court, submitted to financial institutions, or relied upon during audits.

Share Transfers: Why Accuracy Matters

Share transfers occur when ownership in a corporation changes hands. Maybe you’re selling your shares, gifting them to a family member, or bringing in a new partner.

In Ontario, corporate records must be kept up to date, and share transfers usually involve:

A Share Transfer Form
A Resolution of Directors or Shareholders
Updated shareholder ledgers

A notary ensures these documents are correctly signed and witnessed. This prevents future disputes over ownership and protects both the corporation and the individual parties involved.

How an Ontario Notary Supports This Process

Here’s what you can expect when working with a notary for investment agreements or share transfers:
1. Identity Verification

The notary confirms the identity of all signing parties using valid government-issued ID.

2. Witnessing the Signatures

This prevents fraud and reinforces the integrity of the document.

3. Certifying Copies (If Needed)

Sometimes banks, accountants, or corporate lawyers need certified true copies of your documents. A notary can create these for your records.

4. Remote Online Notarization (RON)

If coming in person isn’t convenient, many clients choose remote online notarization, which allows you to sign over a secure video call. This is especially helpful for busy entrepreneurs or investors who travel frequently.

When You Might Need a Notary for These Documents

You should consider notarization if:

You’re entering into a partnership or private investment deal
You’re transferring shares between owners, family, or investors
Your lawyer or accountant asks for notarized documents
A financial institution requires notarization for verification
You’re handling business documents from outside Canada

For example, if you’re completing paperwork for a corporation in Whitby, but the investor lives abroad, notarization ensures that both sides have credible, verifiable documentation.

What Notable Notary Can Help With

At Notable Notary, we make the process simple, accessible, and stress-free. Our services include:

General notarization for investment agreements and share transfers
Mobile notary services if you need us to come to your office or home
Remote Online Notarization (RON) for convenient virtual signing
Certified true copies for corporate records or financial submissions

You’ll receive clear guidance, friendly service, and a streamlined process from start to finish so you can focus on your business, not paperwork.

What This Looks Like in Practice
Let’s say you and your business partner in Pickering are bringing in a new investor. You draft the investment agreement, finalize the share transfer paperwork, and schedule a mobile notary appointment.

The notary: