Commissioner for Taking Affidavits — Ontario
Commissioning services are available by appointment for affidavits and statutory declarations within the scope of our Ontario appointment.
Bring your completed, unsigned document and valid government-issued photo identification.
Contact us to confirm whether we can assist and book an appointment.
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Get Personilized Guidance to confirm whether we can assist, understand what identification and documents to bring, and arrange your commissioning appointment.
01 What Is a Commissioner of Oaths?
In Ontario, the formal title is commissioner for taking affidavits, although the term commissioner of oaths is also commonly used. A commissioner may take affidavits and declarations and administer oaths or affirmations where permitted or required by law, subject to any limits on the commissioner’s appointment.
An affidavit is a written statement confirmed as true by oath or affirmation. A statutory declaration is a written statement that the person solemnly declares to be true. In either case, the commitment has legal consequences.
02 Do You Need a Commissioner or a Notary Public?
The wording of the document and the receiving organization’s instructions determine which service is appropriate. Compare the two roles before booking.
Commissioner for Taking Affidavits
A commissioner may be appropriate when a document asks you to swear or affirm an affidavit, make a statutory declaration, or take another oath or affirmation. The document must fall within the commissioner’s legal authority and any limits stated in the commissioner’s appointment.
The Ontario legislation governing commissioners does not itself authorize them to notarize documents or certify true copies.
Notary Public
An Ontario notary public has the powers of a commissioner and can also verify that signatures, marks and copies of documents are true or genuine. A notary may therefore be required when the instructions ask for notarization or a certified true copy.
A commissioned document cannot be apostilled by Ontario’s Official Documents Services. If the document will be used outside Canada, check the receiving authority’s requirements before arranging the service.
03 How Does a Commissioning Appointment Work?
The document should be complete, accurate and ready to sign. The commissioner must follow the required signing and oath process before completing the jurat or declaration.
Prepare the Unsigned Document
Complete the document without signing the affidavit or declaration. Confirm that you understand it and that any exhibits or supporting pages required by the document are ready.
Provide Proof of Identity
The commissioner must confirm your identity and satisfy themselves that your signature is genuine. Bring the identification requested when your appointment is arranged.
Swear, Affirm or Declare
The commissioner administers the form of oath, affirmation or declaration required for the document. An affirmation is available as a non-religious alternative to an oath.
Sign and Complete the Jurat
You sign as directed. The commissioner then completes and signs the jurat or declaration and adds any required stamp information, completing the commissioning process.
04 Can a Document Be Commissioned Remotely?
Yes, Ontario law permits remote commissioning when all regulatory conditions are met. The receiving organization is not required to accept a remotely commissioned document, so confirm acceptance before the appointment.
In-Person Commissioning
You and the commissioner are physically present together. The affidavit or declaration is signed before the commissioner, who verifies the signature, administers the required oath or declaration, and completes the document.
Remote Commissioning
The session must use electronic communication that lets all participants see, hear and communicate with one another in real time throughout the transaction. The commissioner must also confirm identity and take reasonable precautions.
The document identifies remote administration and records the locations of the commissioner and the person signing.
Any stamp information required for that commissioner must appear on or in the document.
The commissioner must keep a record of the remote commissioning transaction.
05 Frequently Asked Questions
Can a commissioner certify a true copy of a document?+
Should I sign my document before the appointment?+
Does the commissioner verify that everything in my document is true?+
Can I affirm instead of taking a religious oath?+
Can a commissioned document be apostilled?+
Talk to a Licensed Expert
Need a document commissioned?
Get personilized guidance to review the document’s witnessing requirements, understand what to bring and arrange the appropriate appointment.