Notary Services

The functions carried out by a notary public include the attestation of documents and certification of their due execution, administering of oaths, witnessing/commissioning affidavits and statutory declarations and performing the certification of copy documents as set out in the Notaries Act, R.S.O. 1990, C. N.6. When a Notary Public performs services for you, the notary will affix their seal in conjunction with their signature. An official record of the Notary’s seal and signature is kept on file at Official Document Services which (if necessary) can be used to validate the authenticity of the Notary Servicesnotarization. Please click on the specific link for more information on the nature of the service and the fee involved:

Commissioning of Oaths/Affidavits –

All lawyers that have been called to the bar are able to commission oaths and to swear affidavits. Notary Publics are also empowered by statute to commission oaths and swear affidavits. The added benefit of having a notary commission your oath is that he/she will affix their seal, which makes your document appear more official.

Some documents, such as affidavits and statutory declarations, require that a Commissioner of Oaths administer an oath to the deponent (the person swearing that the contents of the document are true). A Commissioner of Oaths must verify the identity of the deponent and satisfy himself or herself of the genuineness of the signature of the deponent and will then administer an oath or solemn affirmation.

Please Note: A Commissioner of Oaths does not certify that the statement being made is true. Rather a Commissioner of oaths only certifies that an oath has been administered properly. It is a criminal offense to swear a false affidavit.

FEES

$19.50 + GST for the first oath commissioned by a Notary Public

$10.00 + GST for each subsequent oath

(If you are unable to attend personally, please inquire about my availability to travel to your area. No additional charge for reasonable travel)

Certified True Copies –

A copy of the original document is certified by a Notary Public to be a true and accurate copy of the original document. When obtaining a certified copy, please bring the original document with you to your appointment. Further, please bring as many photocopies of the document as you require to be certified.

FEE: $19.99 first document, $14.99 for each document thereafter (plus 6% GST).

Consent to Travel Documents –

Due to increasing concern for the safety of children, many governments including that of Canada have initiated special requirements for when children under 18 years of age are traveling with only one parent.

The traveling parent now requires documentary evidence in the form of a notarized consent to travel letter be presented to establish the relationship of the accompanying adult to the child as well as permission of the parent(s) or legal guardian before a minor can cross international borders. This requirement is in addition to other legal requirements as specified by airlines and official authorities.

A handwritten letter or consent form that has not been notarized by a licensed notary public will often be rejected by immigration officials due to the ease with which such forms can be forged. A notarized consent to travel document is generally required in the following instances:

  • Child Traveling With One Parent – If a minor is traveling with only one parent, the absent parent is expected to provide notarized consent.
  • Child Traveling Alone or Without Either Parent – If a minor is traveling alone or is accompanied by an adult other than a parent, both parents (or the sole documented custodial parent) must provide notarized consent.
  • Child Has Only One Parent – If a minor child has only one parent as evidenced by its birth certificate, a notarized copy of the birth certificate or the original will be sufficient proof allowing for travel.

FEE: $35.00 + GST = $36.75

Practice focus areas of: Family Law & Real Estate Law

Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada since 2003