Canada
Document Commissioning in Ontario
Commissioner of Oaths Services
Need a statutory declaration, affidavit, or sworn statement properly commissioned? Our commissioned staff can administer your oath or affirmation and witness your signature so your document is ready for Ontario courts, government bodies, and everyday legal use. It's a quick, in-person step — and we make it straightforward.
01 What is a Commissioner of Oaths
A Commissioner of Oaths — more formally, a Commissioner for taking Affidavits — is a person authorized in Ontario to administer oaths and affirmations and to take affidavits, statutory declarations, and solemn declarations. In plain terms, the commissioner watches you swear or affirm that the contents of a document are true and that you are signing it of your own free will.
In Ontario, commissioning is governed by the Commissioners for taking Affidavits Act — provincial law — not by IRCC or any federal body. (Verified on ontario.ca, June 2026.)
Importantly, a commissioner verifies the act of swearing or affirming — that you appeared, were identified, and made the declaration properly. The commissioner does not vouch for whether the contents are actually true; that responsibility stays with you, the person making the statement.
02 What a Commissioner of Oaths Can Do
Under the Commissioners for taking Affidavits Act, a commissioner is authorized to:
- administer oaths and affirmations
- take affidavits (written statements sworn or affirmed to be true)
- take statutory declarations and solemn declarations
- confirm your identity and witness you signing the document in their presence
- complete and sign the jurat — the clause showing when, where, and before whom the document was sworn or declared
A commissioner's authority does not extend to certifying true copies of documents or otherwise notarizing them. Those are powers of a Notary Public — see the next section. (Verified on ontario.ca, June 2026.)
03 Commissioner of Oaths vs. Notary Public
The two roles are often confused, but they are not the same under Ontario law. A commissioner takes sworn statements; a Notary Public has all the powers of a commissioner plus additional authority — including certifying that a copy is a true copy of an original and authenticating signatures and documents. Here's the practical difference:
Commissioner of Oaths
Administers oaths/affirmations and takes affidavits and declarations. Verifies the swearing — not the truth of the contents. Governed by the Commissioners for taking Affidavits Act. Cannot certify true copies.
Notary Public
Has every power of a commissioner, and can also certify true copies, witness and certify the signing of documents, and authenticate documents — often needed for use outside Ontario. Governed by the Notaries Act.
If your document needs a certified true copy or is intended for use outside Ontario or abroad, you generally need a notary public rather than a commissioner. Tell us what the receiving institution requires and we'll point you to the right service. (Verified on ontario.ca / Law Society of Ontario, June 2026.)
04 Documents We Commonly Commission
People come to a commissioner for a wide range of sworn and declared documents, including:
- Statutory declarations — formal written statements declared to be true
- Affidavits — sworn statements used as evidence in court or other proceedings
- Solemn and statutory declarations for immigration forms (for example, declarations attached to IRCC applications such as common-law or relationship declarations)
- Consent / travel-consent letters for a child travelling with one parent or another adult
- Declarations of name use, single status, or identity
- Sworn statements for insurance, financial, or estate matters
- Pension, benefit, and "proof of life" declarations
A document used in an IRCC application can still be commissioned in Ontario — commissioning is an Ontario act of swearing, even when the form itself is federal. Always check the form's instructions, as some specifically require a notary or a particular witness.
05 How Commissioning Works
The process is short and almost always done in a single visit:
Bring Your Unsigned Document
Have the complete document ready but do not sign it in advance — you must sign in front of the commissioner.
Verify Your Identity
The commissioner confirms who you are using valid government-issued photo identification.
Take the Oath or Affirmation
The commissioner asks you to swear an oath or solemnly affirm that the contents of the document are true.
Sign in the Commissioner's Presence
You sign the document while the commissioner watches, confirming the signature is genuinely yours.
The Commissioner Completes the Jurat
The commissioner signs and dates the jurat, recording where and before whom the document was sworn or declared.
06 What to Bring to Your Appointment
To keep your visit quick, please bring:
- valid government-issued photo identification (for example, a driver's licence or passport)
- the complete but unsigned document you need commissioned
- any exhibits or attachments referenced in the document
- any instructions from the receiving institution about how the document must be sworn or witnessed
Do not sign the document beforehand. Under Ontario law, the oath or declaration must be taken in the commissioner's presence, and you must sign in front of them.
07 In-Person & Remote Commissioning in Ontario
The default rule in Ontario is straightforward: oaths and declarations are taken in the physical presence of the commissioner. That's why you bring your document unsigned and sign it during the appointment.
Ontario law also allows remote commissioning by video in certain circumstances, but only when specific conditions set out in the regulations are met. Whether remote commissioning is appropriate depends on your document and the receiving body. (Verified on ontario.ca / Law Society of Ontario, June 2026 — subject to change; confirm current rules before relying on them.)
Many professionals — including lawyers and licensed paralegals — are commissioners by virtue of their office, while others are appointed by the Ministry of the Attorney General. Our commissioned staff can confirm whether your document can be commissioned here and, if it actually needs a notary, help you find the right service.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and no specific outcome is guaranteed. BroadGate is a firm of licensed, regulated professionals; for advice about your particular situation, speak with us or a qualified legal professional.
08 Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Commissioner of Oaths and a Notary Public?+
A commissioner of oaths can administer oaths and take affidavits and declarations — verifying that you swore or affirmed the document properly. A notary public has all of those powers and can also certify true copies of documents and authenticate signatures and documents. If you need a certified true copy or a document for use outside Ontario, you generally need a notary, not a commissioner.
Does a commissioner confirm that my document is true?+
No. The commissioner confirms that you appeared, were identified, and swore or affirmed the statement — that the oath or declaration was taken properly. The accuracy of the contents remains your responsibility as the person making the statement, and swearing a false statement can carry legal consequences.
Can you commission a declaration for my immigration (IRCC) forms?+
In many cases, yes — a statutory or solemn declaration attached to a federal immigration application can still be commissioned in Ontario, because commissioning is an Ontario act of swearing. Always check the specific form's instructions, as some require a notary or a particular type of witness.
Should I sign my document before I arrive?+
No. Bring the document complete but unsigned. Under Ontario law the oath or declaration must be taken in the commissioner's presence, so you sign in front of the commissioner during the appointment.
What identification do I need to bring?+
Bring valid government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's licence or passport, so the commissioner can confirm your identity. Bring any exhibits referenced in the document as well.
Can a document be commissioned remotely?+
Ontario permits remote commissioning by video in certain circumstances, provided the conditions in the regulations are met. The default, however, is in person. Whether remote commissioning works for your document depends on its nature and what the receiving institution will accept, so confirm with us first.
Talk to a Licensed Expert
Need a document commissioned?
Our commissioned staff can administer your oath or affirmation and witness your signature — quickly and correctly. Reach out and we'll let you know exactly what to bring.
