FAQ

When you certify or notarize a document, a Notary Public verifies its authenticity — either by confirming your signature, or by certifying that a copy is a true and complete reproduction of the original.

Notarization does not validate the content of your document, but it confirms that the identity of the signer was verified, or that the document is genuine.

Many institutions, such as government offices, universities, or banks, require notarized or certified documents to prevent fraud and to ensure the integrity of the information being submitted.

In short, notarization adds credibility, trust, and legal recognition to your documents — especially when they are used internationally or in official processes.

A Notary Public has broader authority than a Commissioner of Oaths.
Both can witness signatures and administer oaths or affirmations, but a Notary Public can also certify true copies of documents and notarize documents for use outside Ontario or Canada.
A Commissioner of Oaths’ authority is limited to documents used within Ontario only.

No. We do not provide legal advice or assist in drafting or interpreting documents.
Our role is to verify identity, witness signatures, and certify documents—not to review or advise on their content.

Unfortunately, by law, a Notary cannot decide what type of notarization you need.
Before your appointment, please confirm with the institution or recipient (such as a government office, school, or employer) exactly what type of notarization is required—such as notarizing your signature, a certified true copy, or a statutory declaration.

We can notarize or certify documents from any country and in any language, as long as the person signs in Ontario and we are not providing legal advice or confirming the document’s validity under foreign law.

Permitted:

You can notarize or certify documents from any country or in any language, if:

• You are only certifying a true copy

• You are witnessing a signature 

• You are notarizing a sworn or declared statement

• You are not verifying the legal content of the document — only the identity, signature, or the fact that the copy matches the original.

Examples you can notarize even if they’re foreign:

• An overseas university diploma (Certified True Copy)

• A passport from another country

• A document written in another language, as long as you know what type of document it is

• A consent letter or declaration to be used abroad

• Business or corporate documents issued outside Canada (if you are only notarizing a signature or certifying a copy)

Not permitted:

You cannot notarize a foreign document when it involves:

• Witnessing or executing a Power of Attorney that will take effect outside Ontario, unless you are sure Ontario notarization is accepted by that jurisdiction

• Providing any legal opinion or confirming validity of a foreign document or signature

• Notarizing a signature made outside Ontario (you must witness it in person within Ontario)

• Authenticating or apostilling documents yourself (that is done by Official Documents Services in Toronto, not by a Notary)

Examples of what you cannot or should not do:

• Certify that an overseas Power of Attorney is legally valid under that country’s law

• Witness a signature via Zoom or email for someone outside Canada (remote notarization is not yet permitted in Ontario as of 2025)

• Confirm that a foreign document “meets embassy requirements” — that’s up to the client or institution

Yes. Identification verification and signature must be done in person.

Typically 5-10 minutes, depending on the number of documents and notarizations required.

You can easily book online through our website.
Simply choose your service, select a time, and you will receive an email confirmation with all the details.

Yes, if availability allows.
Please check our booking calendar or contact us directly to see if a same-day appointment is possible.

Please contact us as soon as possible.
If you are more than 10 minutes late without notice, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

Yes, you can cancel or reschedule your appointment up to 24 hours in advance at no charge.
Cancellations made within 24 hours or missed appointments without notice may be subject to a fee.
Please review our full Cancellation & No-Show Policy before booking.

No. All notary services are by appointment only.
This ensures that each client receives dedicated time, privacy, and proper document preparation.
Please book your appointment online before visiting our office.

No. All appointments are available Monday to Friday during regular business hours.
This ensures that each client receives proper attention and that the Notary can provide services efficiently.

Yes, you may bring a witness, translator, or support person if needed.
However, please inform us in advance, as space and privacy must be maintained.

Yes. You must present a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a passport, driver’s licence, or permanent resident card) for most notarization services.

No. All documents must be reviewed in person during a scheduled appointment to ensure proper verification and compliance with legal standards.

You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID, such as:

• Passport

• Driver’s Licence

• Ontario Photo Card

• Permanent Resident Card

ID must be original and not expired. Copies or digital IDs are not accepted for notarization.

Generally, no. Copies are usually not kept, except for certain documents with legal or professional requirements, such as affidavits or statutory declarations, which may be retained for record-keeping purposes.

Notarizing your signature means a Notary Public verifies your identity and witnesses you signing a document. The Notary confirms that you personally appeared, showed valid ID, and signed willingly in their presence.

Common examples include:

• Consent letters for children traveling abroad

• Invitation letters for visa purposes

• Application forms for foreign institutions

• Power of attorney or legal declarations

Please bring:

• The unsigned document (do not sign in advance)

• A valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport, driver’s licence)

Yes. Each signature that requires notarization is treated as a separate notarial act, and a fee applies per signature.

Yes, as long as the Notary can clearly identify the type of document and verify your identity.
You must understand what you are signing. The Notary will not translate or interpret the content.

No. The Notary cannot explain or verify the accuracy of your document.
We can only confirm your identity, witness your signature, and notarize as requested.

No. All signatures must be made in the presence of the Notary.

It means the Notary Public verifies that a photocopy of a document is an exact, unaltered copy of the original. The Notary does not confirm the document’s authenticity or validity—only that the copy matches the original.

• Passports or ID cards

• Educational diplomas or transcripts

• Birth, marriage, or death certificates

• Utility bills, bank statements, or employment letters

Please bring:

• The original document

• A clear photocopy (Each additional page is subject to a $1 fee at our office)

No. Each distinct document shown on the page must be certified separately, resulting in a fee for each document image.
However, if a document has a front and back side, both sides are considered one document—even if copied onto two pages.

This service confirms that the presented document appears to be an original, not a photocopy or reproduction. It’s used when an organization or government body asks for confirmation that the document is an authentic original version.

This is often needed when:

• Sending original legal or business documents abroad

• Submitting original degrees or certificates for immigration or licensing purposes

Please bring the original document and valid photo ID for verification.

It means the Notary certifies that a printed version of a digital or electronic file (such as a PDF or scan) is a true and complete copy of what was received electronically.

1. You bring the digital file and a printout of the digital file(PDF, Word, etc.)

2. The Notary compares them carefully

3. The Notary stamps, signs, and dates it as a certified true copy

4. A scanned certified copy will be provided as a PDF

• The Notary does not verify the accuracy or truth of the document’s content—only that the copy matches the provided file

• Please ensure all pages are included and in the correct order

No. It is the client’s responsibility to confirm whether your organization or institution accepts digital certifications.
The Notary certifies only that the printed copy matches the provided digital file, not whether it meets third-party requirements.

No. A multi-page document is usually certified under one seal, as long as the pages are attached and initialed properly.
The Notary seals the first page and stamps the others for continuity.
If the document exceeds 4 pages, an additional $0.50 per page may apply from the 5th page onward.

An Affidavit is a written statement of facts that you swear or affirm to be true before a Notary Public or Commissioner for Taking Affidavits. It becomes a legal document once signed and sealed.

• Insurance or employment claims

• Lost or damaged document declarations

• Proof of residence, identity, or relationship

• Court or immigration matters

• The unsigned Affidavit form

• Valid government-issued photo ID

No. Notaries cannot provide legal advice or draft legal documents.
We only verify identities, witness signatures, and certify documents.

A Statutory Declaration is similar to an Affidavit but involves a formal declaration instead of an oath. It is used when you need to legally confirm facts but not necessarily under religious oath.

• To verify personal information (e.g., name, address, marital status)

• For official applications or government programs

• When an organization requests legal confirmation of a fact

An Affidavit is sworn (under oath or affirmation), while a Statutory Declaration is declared (without oath). Both are equally legally binding.

No. Notaries cannot provide legal advice or draft legal documents.
We only verify identities, witness signatures, and certify documents.

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone else authority to act on your behalf in financial, legal, or personal matters.

A Notary can:

• Verify your identity and witness your signature

• Administer the declaration (if required)

• Certify copies of the signed POA for submission

• The prepared POA document (unsigned)

• Two pieces of valid ID (one must be photo ID)

No. Notaries cannot provide legal advice or draft legal documents.
We only verify identities, witness signatures, and certify documents.

It means the Notary Public observes you signing a document and confirms that:

• You appeared in person

• Your ID was verified

• You signed voluntarily

• Contracts or agreements

• Consent or authorization letters

• Corporate resolutions or minutes

• Real estate or property-related forms

No. The Notary only witnesses signatures and verifies identity—they do not review, interpret, or advise on the document’s content.

Remote commissioning is the process of having your affidavit or statutory declaration sworn or affirmed over a live video call instead of in person. A Commissioner confirms your identity, watches you sign the document, and then applies their digital commissioner signature and seal.

Yes. Remote commissioning is allowed under O. Reg. 431/20 as long as strict verification and record-keeping procedures are followed. Both the client and the commissioner must be physically located in Ontario at the time of the video appointment.

Most documents that require a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits can be done remotely, including:

• Affidavits (general)

• Statutory Declarations

• Travel Consent Letter

• Lost Document Affidavits

• Name Change Affidavit

• Invitation Letters

• Common-Law Declaration

• Vehicle Transfer Sworn Statements

• OSAP Forms

• Employment / HR Affidavits

• Insurance Affidavits

• ICBC / Autoplan documents

• CRA statutory declarations

• School / University forms

• Government application declarations

• Many employer-requested sworn statements

The following cannot be done remotely:

• Documents requiring Notary Public certification (not just commission)

• Wills & Powers of Attorney (require special in-person rules)

• Real estate transfer documents requiring in-person witnessing

• Any document where the receiving organization refuses remote commissioning

• Documents requiring wet ink signature from the Commissioner

You will need:

• A device capable of video calls (smartphone, tablet, or computer)

• A stable internet connection

• A quiet and private place

• A valid government-issued photo ID

• The unsigned printed document

• Confirmation of your location in Ontario

• Ability to sign the document on camera (pen or stylus)

You must sign by hand, on camera, while the Commissioner watches you.
Digital signatures for clients are not allowed because the Commissioner must visually confirm your signature in real time.

You will upload your signed document through our client portal. Email is usually not recommended for sensitive documents.

You will download your completed PDF directly from the secure client portal.

Yes. Remote commissioning appointments require pre-payment at the time of booking.
The fee starts at $40 per signature + HST (discounts apply for additional signatures). See details about our fees.

1. Identity verification

2. Confirm your location is in Ontario

3. Review your document

4. You sign the document on camera

5. You show the signed page to the camera

6. You upload the document

7. Commissioner signs digitally and returns it securely

Total time: 5–10 minutes for most documents.

No, we cannot offer a refund after the document has been signed. Please refer to our refund policy for more details.

You must check with the receiving organization before booking.
The Commissioner does not guarantee acceptance of your document, and does not provide legal advice.

No. You are responsible for providing a correct and complete document.
The Commissioner’s role is only to confirm identity, administer the oath, and witness your signature—not to review the document for legal accuracy.

We accept credit or debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) or cash. Payment is due at the time of service.

For online services, credit or debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are available. Full prepayment is required before the session.

Yes. HST is added separately to our service fees.

No. Payment is collected at the appointment. However, following our Cancellation & No-Show Policy is required.