FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is a Notary Public?

A notary public is an impartial officer who verifies identity, witnesses signatures, administers oaths and affirmations, and, where permitted, certifies true copies. For notarization, the signer must appear in the notary’s physical presence.

Why notarization matters?

Notarization provides reliable evidence that a document was properly executed and helps prevent disputes, especially in remote transactions.

What authority does a Notary have?

Notarial powers are established by provincial or territorial law. In Ontario, the Notaries Act authorizes preparation and attestation of instruments and customary notarial acts. Some provinces limit full notarial services to lawyers; in Quebec, you may require a Notaire or an Avocat depending on the matter.

Do I sign in advance?

Do not sign in advance. The notary must witness your signature and may need to administer an oath or affirmation first. If the document is already signed, you will typically re‑sign before the notary. Confirm any special requirements with the requesting organization and bring a spare copy.

Can I use a notarized document outside Canada?

If a document will be used outside the jurisdiction, commissioning before a Notary Public is often required rather than a Commissioner of Oaths.

Can you commission Oaths?

Commissioners of Oaths administer and witness oaths, affirmations, and statutory declarations. They certify that the procedure was properly carried out; they do not verify the truth of the content. The deponent or declarant must appear in person with satisfactory ID, and commissioners may hold limited commissions tied to their role. A notary public in Ontario has all the powers of a commissioner for taking affidavits, and can also verify that signatures, marks and copies of documents are true or genuine. publicnotaryottawa can help you with commissioning Oaths.

Can you help with online commissioning?

We can commission certain documents by secure video: we verify identity and witness your oath, affirmation, or declaration remotely. Common documents include affidavits (identity, service, income, divorce, court), statutory declarations (custodianship, common‑law status, OSAP, progress payment), proof of loss, consent to travel, name change applications, and family‑gift vehicle transfers. If your document is not listed, contact us to confirm. Notarizations that require a physical notarial seal must be completed in person.