Notary Services
Every lawyer in Ontario is also a Notary. In some other provinces, a Notary may do significant legal work such as transferring land or writing a will. In Ontario, however, the work of a Notary is limited to certain types of work.
When do I need a Notary? Notary services are often needed to complete documents that will be used in another province or country. Or you may want to give an “official” copy of an important document, while you keep the original: that is, a notarized copy.
What does a Notary do? Notaries are permitted to:
A Notary provides a professional service, for which you should make an appointment. You will be charged a modest professional fee.
What is a Commissioner of Oaths? All lawyers, and many legal support staff, are also commissioners for taking affidavits, that is, they are authorized to administer an oath. If your document needs to be sworn, and if it is for use in Ontario, this work can probably be done by a Commissioner of Oaths. We are required to verify your identity and keep a file record, but the fee is less than that of a Notary.
What else do I need to know? The person requiring the Notary Services must be present and must sign the document in front of the lawyer.
What kind of identification is accepted? To perform any Notary Services, I require that you provide two pieces of identification, which I must photocopy for our records. At least one piece of your ID must have your photo on it and one must have your address. Unfortunately, it is not permitted to use your Provincial Health Card or your Social Insurance Card. One can use:
If you would like to discuss your case or anything relating to notary services, please contact our office.
Every lawyer in Ontario is also a Notary. In some other provinces, a Notary may do significant legal work such as transferring land or writing a will. In Ontario, however, the work of a Notary is limited to certain types of work.
When do I need a Notary? Notary services are often needed to complete documents that will be used in another province or country. Or you may want to give an “official” copy of an important document, while you keep the original: that is, a notarized copy.
What does a Notary do? Notaries are permitted to:
- administer your oath
- certify a document to be a true copy
- confirm your identity to another party
- witness your signature
A Notary provides a professional service, for which you should make an appointment. You will be charged a modest professional fee.
What is a Commissioner of Oaths? All lawyers, and many legal support staff, are also commissioners for taking affidavits, that is, they are authorized to administer an oath. If your document needs to be sworn, and if it is for use in Ontario, this work can probably be done by a Commissioner of Oaths. We are required to verify your identity and keep a file record, but the fee is less than that of a Notary.
What else do I need to know? The person requiring the Notary Services must be present and must sign the document in front of the lawyer.
What kind of identification is accepted? To perform any Notary Services, I require that you provide two pieces of identification, which I must photocopy for our records. At least one piece of your ID must have your photo on it and one must have your address. Unfortunately, it is not permitted to use your Provincial Health Card or your Social Insurance Card. One can use:
- Driver’s License
- Student Card
- Credit Cards
- Birth Certificate, Permanent Resident or Citizenship Card
- Passport
- Library Card
- Employment Identification Card
If you would like to discuss your case or anything relating to notary services, please contact our office.