What is it?

An affidavit is a written declaration of facts that is sworn by an “affiant” in front of a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths.

Why are they needed?

Evidence for court matters or other legal procedures often needs to come in the form of an affidavit. They are valuable because when someone swears an oath, or makes an affirmation, before a Notary Public, it becomes a criminal offence to lie in the contents of the affidavit. Thus, third parties have an additional level of security when receiving information in this form. Further, a notary is required to verify the identity of the “affiant” before notarizing the document. In this way, the person receiving the document is assured that the paper was in fact signed by the correct person and not by an imposter. We can notarize your affidavits quickly and easily. For a small additional fee, we can also draft affidavits for your convenience. This can be done on the spot—without further appointments being necessary. The whole process is quick and easy for you.

What is it?

This is a photocopy of an original document that is verified by a Notary Public to be an accurate copy of the original. This is done when an official document, such as an ID, government paper or educational credential, needs to be provided or submitted to a third party. Often, the original document is one of a kind and it becomes impractical to give it away. Normal photocopies could be doctored or altered. The True Copy is objective evidence of the accuracy of the image.

How is it done?

To do this, the notary must compare the original document to the copy. We can do the photocopying. The notary verifies that the copy is accurate and unaltered, and that all details match the original.

We are happy to certify true copies. This is done quickly and easily. We are here to help you with your true copy needs.

We are often presented with diplomas for the purpose of making a certified copy. In most cases, we will make the copy ourselves. If the diploma is unusually large, however, we ask you to go to a print shop and make the copy.

What is it?

A Statutory Declaration is similar to an affidavit. It is a written declaration of facts by a “declarant.” However, unlike an affidavit, it is not a sworn document. Rather than swearing an oath, a declaration is administered by the Notary Public. It has the same legal effect as an affidavit, and it is a criminal offence to lie in a Statutory Declaration. It is often used when one does not wish to swear an oath, such as when the declarant does not wish to swear to God about the document’s contents. As in an affidavit, the notary verifies the declarant’s identity, thereby providing the receiving party with security regarding the authenticity of the signature.

We can notarize Statutory Declarations quickly and easily. For a small additional fee, we can also draft Statutory Declarations for your convenience. This can be done on the spot—without further appointments being necessary. The whole process is quick and easy for you.

Please note that the only thing we can do with criminal background checks is make a certified copy, which is usually what is required. We cannot stamp the original, as that would imply that we either conducted the background check or witnessed someone’s signature on the document.

This is often required when a foreign minor will be studying in Canada and will be under the custodianship of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. We can notarize this document. Please note that the custodian will need to present proof of address and citizenship or permanent resident status.

Please note that we cannot act as guarantors for a passport application. To be a guarantor, one must know the applicant personally. As we are only meeting you during your visit, we would not be able to complete the guarantor section of the application. However, we are able to notarize a “Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor.”

Attestation is the act of witnessing a document in writing and subscribing to it as a witness. These documents must typically be notarized or commissioned.

We are able to make certified copies of degrees and diplomas. However, to do so, you must present the original document. We need to compare the copy to the original and certify that it is a true copy of the original.

There are a number of things to be aware of with real estate closings. First, recall that we cannot act as your lawyer, which means we cannot explain the contents of your document to you. We suggest that you review the document with your lawyer before attending our office to sign it. Take your time and be very clear on what needs to be done and where the notary has to sign. We cannot tell you that. We take our instructions from you.

Secondly, if your document requires witnesses in addition to the notary, please bring the number of witnesses required. Note that witnesses are not required by us; they are required by your document and its recipient. If you wish to have the need for witnesses waived, discuss this with your lawyer and/or the document recipient.

Finally, please note that it is especially important with real estate documents that the name on your documents matches the name on the ID you provide us.

ServiceOntario’s Name Change package includes a Statutory Declaration. This declaration must be notarized or commissioned before submission. Please note that the entire package, including all required sections, must be completed before it can be notarized or commissioned.

Under normal circumstances, HST is charged when a vehicle’s ownership is transferred from one owner to another. However, when the vehicle is given as a gift between family members, the HST payment is waived. ServiceOntario requires that a Sworn Statement be provided that describes the relationship between the parties and the circumstances of the transfer. We can notarize or commission this document.

When a child leaves the country without one or both parents, a notarized Consent to Travel must often be shown when crossing an international border. This letter, sworn or declared by the parent or parents remaining in Canada, specifies that the child has permission to travel abroad with the accompanying adult or adults.

We can create the Letter of Consent to Travel for you on the spot, or you can prepare it online through our partner, InstaDraft. Create a Travel Consent Letter online with InstaDraft.

We can create a Letter of Invitation for you on the spot, or you can prepare it online through our partner, InstaDraft. Create a Letter of Invitation online with InstaDraft.

After making an insurance claim, many insurance companies require that the claimant provide a sworn or declared statement regarding the loss that was suffered. This provides additional evidence of the details of the loss suffered. The oath or affirmation binds the claimant to her or his document, as it is perjury to provide false information in this circumstance.

We can witness your signature on a foreign-language document. Please note that we do not review the document or provide legal advice. However, after you present government-issued photo ID, we will verify that we witnessed your signature. We will sign, date, stamp and seal the document. As this reflects a higher level of potential liability to us, an additional $10 fee is charged for these forms.

When clients call to ask whether we sign Guarantor Statements, we advise them that we can do so as long as the statement does not require us to confirm that we know the client personally. If it does, we cannot sign it.

In some cases, it may be possible to strike out the sentence stating that we know the client personally and replace it with “checked ID,” but you must confirm with the recipient whether this is acceptable. For example, this is usually acceptable on Jamaican passport forms, but it is not acceptable on Canadian passport forms.

For Canadian passport applications, you can obtain a form from the passport office called a “Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor.” We can notarize that form.

OSAP applications often require a declaration that certain facts are true, such as marital status, income for a specific period, child custody or parental support. We can assist you in two ways:

1. We can notarize a document that you bring in dealing with this subject matter.
2. We can draft an affidavit or Statutory Declaration stating the circumstances surrounding your application. Please note that there will be an additional charge for drafting.

Please note that we do not prepare wills, though we can refer you to lawyers who do. We only notarize wills. More specifically, we notarize the Affidavits of Execution that must be signed by a witness. For more information, please read our instructions regarding wills and our article about notarizing wills.

Walk-In Notary partners with InstaDraft, which can prepare a Power of Attorney online. After completing the guided form, print the document and follow the applicable signing and witnessing instructions. Create a Power of Attorney online with InstaDraft.

Walk-In Notary may also witness or notarize a Power of Attorney when required. Please bring the document unsigned and arrange any additional witnesses required by the document.

This is often a standard-form document issued by the government or an employer in which the party or parties swear or affirm that they meet the requirements of a common-law union. It is often used by employers for the extension of benefits, insurance or pension benefits to an employee’s common-law partner. It can also be requested by the government for tax, pension, immigration or student-assistance applications. In some circumstances, where no standard form is provided, we can draft these declarations. An additional drafting fee will apply.

Before your visit, please review your documents and note the following:

• Please bring the completed but unsigned documents. We cannot assist you in completing the documents beyond notarizing the forms. We are not permitted to enter details in the forms. This should be done by you or your lawyer before your meeting with the notary.
• Some Separation Agreements include a “Certificate of Independent Legal Advice” section. We cannot complete this section because we do not provide legal advice regarding the document or agreement. If you require legal advice, please consult a law office. All advice regarding the details and requirements of your agreement should come from your lawyer.
• Some Separation Agreements require the parties to visit the notary office separately and apart from each other. If this is the case, you must attend separately. The parties cannot attend at the same time, and each party will be charged separately as part of a separate transaction. If you wish to attend together, the phrase “separate and apart” must be removed from the agreement. If you have questions, please contact one of our offices.

After a vehicle is stolen or otherwise becomes the subject of an insurance claim, many insurance companies require the claimant to provide a sworn or declared Proof of Loss form. This provides additional evidence of the details of the loss suffered. The oath or affirmation binds the claimant to her or his document, as it is perjury to provide false information in this circumstance.

Extended family members from abroad who want to reunite with Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons registered under Canada’s Indian Act are required to complete an Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration Form. These must be commissioned or notarized. The forms can be found on Canada.ca and can be notarized in one of our offices or commissioned through our online service.