Trusted Notary Public in Mississauga, the GTA & Across Ontario

In Ontario, only an authorised notary public can provide notarization services. A notary public is appointed by the Government of Ontario, more specifically by the Ministry of Government Services in Ontario. Most lawyers in Ontario are also authorised to act as notary public.
Here is a list of the professionals who can notarize documents in Ontario:

• Notary public
• Lawyer
• Commissioner of oaths
• Designated official at a Canadian Embassy or Consulate
• Medical doctor or dentist currently licensed in Canada

Notaries public and lawyers are both professionals who can provide legal services, but they have different roles and responsibilities.
Notary public:

• A notary public is a public official who is authorised to verify the identity of the person signing a document and to attest to the authenticity of their signature.
• Notaries public do not provide legal advice, but they can help you to understand the legal implications of a document before you sign it.
• Notarization is often required for documents that will be used in legal proceedings or for other official purposes.

Lawyer:

• A lawyer is a licensed professional who is trained to provide legal advice and representation.
• Lawyers can help you to understand your legal rights and options, and they can represent you in court or in other legal proceedings.
• Lawyers can also help you to draft and review legal documents.

Here is a table that summarises the key differences between notaries public and lawyers:

Notaries public and Commissioners of Oaths are both public officials who are authorised to witness the signing of documents and to attest to the authenticity of signatures. However, there are some key differences between the two roles.
Notary public:

• A notary public is a public official who is authorised to verify the identity of the person signing a document and to attest to the authenticity of their signature.
• Notaries public also have the authority to perform a variety of other legal acts, such as certifying copies of documents, taking affidavits, and administering oaths.
• Notaries public are typically appointed by the state or provincial government.

Commissioner of Oaths:

• A Commissioner of Oaths is a public official who is authorised to administer oaths and affirmations.
• Commissioners of Oaths do not have the same authority as notaries public to verify the identity of the person signing a document or to certify copies of documents.
• Commissioners of Oaths are typically appointed by the state or provincial government.

Here is a table that summarises the key differences between notaries public and Commissioners of Oaths:

The process of notarizing a document is typically simple. You will need to bring the unsigned document to a notary public, along with a form of identification. The notary public will verify your identity and then witness you sign the document. The notary public will then stamp the document with their official seal and sign it, indicating that they have verified your identity and that the signature on the document is genuine.
Steps on how to get your document notarized:

1. Find a notary public. You can find a notary public by searching online or by contacting your local bank, credit union, or post office.
2. Bring the unsigned document to the notary public. Do not sign the document ahead of time. The notary public will not entertain documents already signed without their presence.
3. Bring proper identification so the notary public can verify your identity. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver's licence, passport, or state ID card.
4. Sign the document in the presence of the notary public. The notary public will need to see you sign the document in order to verify your identity.
5. The notary public will stamp the document with their official seal and sign it. This indicates that they have verified your identity and that the signature on the document is genuine.

In Canada, a notarized document does not expire in the sense that there is no expiration date associated with the notary stamp or seal. However, the validity of a notarized document may depend on the specific purpose for which it is being used. For example, a notarized document that is used to verify the identity of a witness in a legal proceeding may only be valid for a certain period of time, such as 6 months or 1 year.

The cost of notarization in Ontario varies depending on the location of the notary public and the type of document being notarized. In general, notary fees in Ontario range from $10 to $25 per signature.

Here are some factors that can affect the cost of notarization in Ontario:

• The location of the notary public. Notary fees are typically higher in urban areas than in rural areas.
• The type of document being notarized. Some documents, such as wills and trusts, may require more time and effort to notarize, and therefore may be more expensive.
• The number of signatures on the document. Notaries typically charge a per-signature fee, so the more signatures on a document, the more expensive it will be to notarize.

In Ontario, there are two types of people who can qualify as a notary public:

• Lawyers: Any lawyer who is in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario can apply to become a notary public.
• Non-lawyers: Certain individuals who are not lawyers can also apply to become notary publics. These individuals must meet the following criteria:
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Pass a notary public examination
• Complete a notary public training course

Once an individual has met the qualifications to become a notary public, they must apply to the Ministry of Government Services for a commission. The commission is a document that gives the individual the authority to act as a notary public.

A notary public can not do a will. A will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for your property after you die. It is important to have a will drafted by an attorney who is familiar with the laws of your state or province. An attorney can help you to ensure that your will is valid and that it reflects your wishes. A notary public can, however, notarize a will. This means that they can witness you sign your will and certify that you are who you say you are. Notarizing a will does not make it valid, but it does provide some additional assurance that the will is genuine.

In Ontario, a power of attorney is valid without a notary. However, if a power of attorney is notarized, it will be presumed to be valid in court.

The Power of Attorney Act, 1996 (the "Power of Attorney Act") in Ontario does not require a power of attorney to be notarized in order to be valid. However, the Power of Attorney Act does require that a power of attorney be signed by the principal in the presence of two witnesses. The witnesses must also sign the power of attorney and state their names and addresses.

If a power of attorney is notarized, the notary public will verify the identity of the principal and the witnesses and will also affix their seal to the power of attorney. This provides additional assurance that the power of attorney is genuine and that it was signed by the principal in the presence of two witnesses.

In Canada, a notary public can notarize foreign documents. When you are looking for a notary public to notarize a foreign document, it is important to choose one who is familiar with the laws of the country where the document was created. This will help to ensure that the document is properly notarized and that it will be accepted in the country where it will be used.