In the province of Ontario, notaries have the authority to administer oaths or affirmations once you've declared the document's contents to be accurate and your signature has been duly witnessed. Notaries also possess the same powers as commissioners for taking affidavits, granting them a comprehensive mandate to verify certified true copies of original documents as faithful reproductions. Their appointments are made by the Ministry of the Attorney General in accordance with the Notaries Act. Furthermore, lawyers and licensed paralegals in Ontario can also be designated and listed as notary publics by virtue of their professional roles, with these appointments being publicly registered. 

A Commissioner for administering oaths is an individual authorized to oversee oaths, declarations, and affirmations in accordance with the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act. Upon your sworn or affirmed assertion of the document's accuracy, a Commissioner will affix their signature and an unsealed stamp. It's important to note that their jurisdiction is restricted to provincial matters, and they are not authorized to sign documents such as wills, financial or real estate papers, powers of attorney, or divorce or separation custody documents.

There is often confusion surrounding the distinctions between a Notary Public and a Commissioner for Oaths, as well as the differences in the processes of notarization and commissioning. It's important to note that the regulations governing Canadian notaries can vary from one province or territory to another.

In the Province of Ontario, a notary public possesses the same authority as a commissioner for taking affidavits, as explained in response to question #2 regarding the role of a commissioner for oaths and affidavits.

In today's digital age, this process is often carried out electronically through e-signatures, unless a document needs to be printed and physically signed with ink by a notary. In such cases, the completed document can be scanned or sent by mail to the client.

Indeed, remote notarization and commissioning have gained significant popularity, with numerous tools and platforms aligning with legal and regulatory standards for electronic signatures and virtual witnessing.

To ensure a seamless experience, it's advisable to confirm with the intended recipient, be it an organization or individual, whether they accept electronically signed documents. This proactive step will help you avoid any potential inconveniences or additional expenses before scheduling your online appointment with us

Here's what you'll need for your virtual remote appointment:

1) A digital copy of your document in PDF or Word format. If you only have a paper copy, you can create an electronic version by scanning it.

2) Access to a webcam or videoconferencing platform like FaceTime, WhatsAspp, Zoom, which you can use on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

3) One piece of valid government-issued photo identification or two pieces of valid government-issued non-photo identification.

The good news is that you won't need to sign up for or download any special applications to access our online notary services.

To ensure a smooth notary appointment, please prepare the following:

One (1) piece of valid government-issued identification with a photo, such as a driver's license or passport, OR two (2) pieces of government-issued identification without a photo, like a social insurance card or birth certificate.

Copies of the documents you need notarized. Do not sign these documents until your appointment.

Please be aware that if you require certified true copies of a document, online notarization is not possible. You must physically attend in person with the original document and the copies for certification.

Our pricing is structured as follows:

The initial online notarization is priced at $29.99.

Each additional notarization or commission (signature) costs $19.99.

Please note that our charges are per notarization or commission, not based on the number of pages.

In brief, we can notarize a wide range of documents, encompassing oaths, affidavits, statutory declarations, and certified true copies. For further details, please visit our Services page.

• Power of Attorney 
• Wills
• Affidavits and Statutory Declarations
• Travel Consent Letters for Children
• Letters of Invitation
• Passport and Immigration Documents

We urge you to take extra precautions because there are instances where notarized documents must undergo authentication and legalization processes before they can be accepted in another country. While we are capable of notarizing documents intended for use abroad, it's essential to verify the specific requirements with the consulate or embassy of the destination country where these documents will be utilized.

In most cases, yes, our services are accessible to individuals outside the Province of Ontario, in accordance with the Ontario Evidence Act, which stipulates that "an affidavit sworn outside Ontario before a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario has the same effect as if the affidavit had been sworn in Ontario."

However, it's important to note that certain jurisdictions, courts, and institutions may not accept documents that have been notarized virtually or if you are located outside of Ontario. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure, before scheduling an appointment with us, that virtual notarizations or notarizations completed within the Province of Ontario align with your specific legal requirements and that the relevant organization or agency will indeed accept such documents.

Please be aware that we cannot be held responsible if your document is rejected due to it being notarized virtually or outside of the province. If you are located outside of Ontario and require notarization, we strongly recommend reaching out to the organization or agency to which you intend to submit your document to inquire about any specific requirements they may have.

Online Notary is a vital partner of Notary Services Jefferson, providing the technological backbone and infrastructure that enables our comprehensive notarization solutions. Through this collaboration, we ensure that our clients can access the latest and most secure online notarization services in addition to traditional in-person and mobile (On-The-Go) options. Our association with Online Notary empowers us to deliver a seamless notarization experience, combining convenience and cutting-edge technology with the trusted expertise of Notary Services Jefferson.