Frequently Asked Questions

+ How do I book an appointment?

You can book your appointment online using our online scheduler, or you can contact us for assistance with booking.

+ How much do you charge?

Our fees are $36.99 for the first notarization (notary’s stamp and signature), and $21.99 for each additional notarization. We charge per notarization or commission, not per page. See our Fees page for more information.

+ Do you offer any discounts?

Yes, we offer a 25% student discount (with valid student card) and a 10% seniors discount. We also offer a sliding scale discount for persons on fixed incomes.

+ What types of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, credit, e-transfer, PayPal or cheque.

+ What do I need to bring to my appointment?

You must bring either one piece of valid government-issued identification (e.g., driver's licence or passport) or two pieces of government-issued non-photo identification (e.g., social insurance card or birth certificate) to your appointment. You must bring the documents you require notarized. If you require printing services, you must notify us before the appointment. Please do not sign any documents until the appointment. If you require certified true copies of a document, you must bring the original document and the copies to be certified.

+ What types of identification do you accept?

We accept any valid government-issued photo identification, like a driver’s licence or passport. If you do not have this kind of identification, we can also accept two pieces of government-issued non-photo identification, like a birth certificate or social insurance card.

+ Who needs to come to the notary appointment?

If you need to have a signature notarized, the person who is signing the document must come to the notary appointment to sign in the presence of a notary.

+ How can I cancel my appointment?

You can cancel your appointment online using a link provided in your appointment confirmation email up to two hours before your appointment. You can also call or email us to cancel. If you are cancelling with less than two hours’ notice, you must call or email us to cancel.

+ What happens if I’m late for my notary appointment?

We understand that things happen and plans need to change. If you are running late or need to cancel your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible.

Our late fees are: 15 minutes late - $7.99; 30 minutes late - $22.99; 45 minutes late - $36.99; 1 hour late - $55.99.

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to keep your appointment if you are more than 15 minutes late.

+ What types of documents can you notarize?

Downtown Notary can notarize or commission almost any document, including oaths, affidavits, statutory declarations and certified true copies of almost any document. Visit our Notary Public Services page for more information.

+ I need a commissioner for taking oaths, can you provide this service?

Yes, all of Downtown Notary’s notaries are also commissioners for taking oaths and affidavits, and can help you with any document that requires a commissioner.

+ Can I get something notarized for my friend/partner/colleague etc.?

If you need to have a signature notarized, the person who is signing the document must come to the notary appointment to sign in the presence of a notary. However, if you need a copy of a document certified, you can get the copy notarized for your friend, partner, colleague, etc., as long as you can show the notary the original document.

+ Do you offer online notary services?

Yes, we do! Online notary services are also called remote online notarization, virtual commissioning, enotary services or digital notarization. For more information, visit our Online Notary Services page for more information.

+ Do you provide any legal advice or other legal services?

Downtown Notary limits its services to verifying that signatures, marks and copies of documents are true or genuine and does not provide any legal advice. If you require legal advice and need to find a lawyer, please use the Law Society of Ontario's Finding a Lawyer or Paralegal services.

+ Can Downtown Notary notarize a document that is already signed?

By law, the notary must see you sign the document in person before they can notarize the document. This means that we cannot notarize a document that is already signed.

+ Can Downtown Notary notarize documents that will be used in another province or country?

Generally, we can notarize documents that will be used in another province or country. However, your notarized documents may need to be authenticated and legalized before they will be accepted in another country. If you aren’t sure what the requirements are, contact the consulate or embassy of the country in which the notarized documents will be used.

+ What kinds of documents can Downtown Notary notarize or certify as a true copy?

We can notarize certified true copies of almost any document, including marriage certificates, death certificates, wills, birth certificates, diplomas, degrees and passports. Note that we must be able to see the original document to compare it with the copy.

+ Can Downtown Notary notarize a certified true copy of a scanned document?

No. By law, the notary must be able to compare the original hardcopy document and the copy to ensure the copy is true and authentic. This means we cannot notarize copies of scanned documents - we must view the original document.

+ Can Downtown Notary be my guarantor?

Generally, we cannot act as guarantors for our clients. In most cases, guarantors must have known the applicant for a period of time, which is usually two years. We usually cannot satisfy that requirement.

+ I’m outside of Canada, but I need a certified true copy of a document notarized by a Canadian notary. Can Downtown Notary help?

Yes, we can! You can mail your documents to Downtown Notary in Canada. We will notarize a certified true copy of your document and mail them back to you. Contact us for more information.

+ Does Downtown Notary prepare real estate documents for the sale and purchase of property?

We can notarize real estate documents for the sale of purchase of property in Ontario and other jurisdictions, like British Columbia and Florida. However, notaries in Ontario are not authorized to prepare and write real estate documents. In Ontario, real estate documents must be prepared by a real estate lawyer.

+ Do you offer notary services in other languages?

Yes, we offer notary public services in different languages:

• In Richmond Hill: Persian
• In Downtown Notary Toronto: Spanish
• In North York: Persian
• In Markham: Cantonese

+ How can I verify your notarial status?

All of the notaries with Downtown Notary are lawyers and members in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario. They have been appointed as notaries public pursuant to the Ontario Notaries Act by the Ministry of the Attorney General. You may find out more information about our credentials by searching the Law Society of Ontarios's online Lawyer and Paralegal Directory. We are also happy to provide copies of our notarial certificates upon request.

+ Does Downtown Notary guarantee its work?

Downtown Notary guarantees that if we make an error when notarizing your documents, we will redo the notarization or commissioning at no additional cost. However, you are responsible for ensuring you are using the correct form and understand its requirements. You are also responsible for ensuring your forms and documents are fully and accurately completed.

+ Does Downtown Notary offer house call or mobile notary services?

Yes! We offer mobile notary and commissioner for taking oaths services to homes, offices, hospitals, hotels, nursing homes, retirements homes - almost any location. Visit our house call and mobile notary services page for more information.

+ What is a notary public?

Notaries can take affidavits or declarations by asking you to swear or affirm that what is in a document is true & can verify that signatures, marks and copies of documents are true or genuine. Notaries are appointed by the Ministry of the Attorney General pursuant to the Notaries Act.

+ What is a commissioner for taking oaths and affidavits?

Commissioners for taking oaths can take affidavits or declarations by asking you to swear or affirm that what is in a document is true. In Ontario, all notaries are commissioners! Commissioners are appointed pursuant to the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act.

+ What does “notarization” mean?

“Notarizing a document” means a notary public verifies that the signatures, marks or copies of the document are true or genuine. To complete a notarization, the notary signs the document and stamps it with an official seal.

+ What is an affidavit?

An affidavit is a written statement of sworn fact made under oath or affirmation.

+ What is a statutory declaration?

A statutory declaration is a legal document that allows a person to declare that something is true in order to satisfy a legal or regulatory requirement.

+ What is a certified true copy?

A certified true copy is a copy of a document that a notary has stamped to certify that the copy is a true copy of the original document.

+ What is authentication and legalization?

Authentication and legalization is the process used to make documents notarized in Canada valid for use outside of Canada. It is the equivalent of apostille.

+ Does Downtown Notary offer authentication and legalization services?

Yes, Downtown Notary offers a one-stop shop for all three steps - notarization, authentication and legalization. Visit our authentication and legalization page for more information.

+ Does Downtown Notary perform apostille?

No - apostille is not performed in Canada. Instead, Canada uses a process called authentication and legalization, which is the equivalent of apostille.

+ I live outside of Canada, but I need a certified true copy notarized by a Canadian notary. Can Downtown Notary help?

Yes, we can. You can send your original document to us and we will notarize a certified true copy and send it back to you. Contact us for more information.

What is a will?

A will is a legal document that sets out who will inherit their estate (their property, possessions and other personal items) when someone dies.

Do I really need a will?

Yes, every person should have a will, even if they don’t have a lot of assets.

If you die without a will, Ontario’s law will determine how your estate is distributed, regardless of what your wishes may be. Your family and loved ones will also have to go through a lengthy (and sometimes expensive) court process to have your estate distributed. Having a will ensures your wishes will be respected and will save your loved ones a lot of work.

How do I write my will?

The most common way to create a valid will is to speak with a lawyer who specializes in wills or estates.

You can also use a will kit or an online will service to write your will.

Downtown Notary is partnering with Willful, an online platform that makes it affordable, convenient and easy for Canadians to create a legal will online, with pricing plans starting at $99. Use code DTN20 to save $20 off your plan. Get started today at Willful.co.

Once you have your will drafted, Notarize.ca can help you remotely witness your will.

Can Downtown Notary draft my will?

No, at this time our services are limited to witnessing wills and we are unable to draft wills. You can either use an online will drafting service like Willful or contact an estate planning lawyer for assistance.

Downtown Notary is partnering with Willful, an online platform that makes it affordable, convenient and easy for Canadians to create a legal will online, with pricing plans starting at $99. Use code DTN20 to save $20 off your plan. Get started today at Willful.co.

Once you have your will drafted, Notarize.ca can help you remotely witness your will.

How do I sign my will?

Once you have written your will, you will need to sign it and have it witnessed to ensure it is valid. This is also called “executing your will.” In Ontario, you must sign your will in front of two witnesses who are not the executor (the person assigned to administer your will) or their spouse, or a beneficiary or their spouse. The witnesses must also sign the will.

Does my will need to be notarized?

Generally, wills do not need to be notarized, meaning signed and sealed by a notary.

However, it is generally recommended that one of the witnesses swear an affidavit of execution in front of a notary or commissioner for taking oaths. This affidavit (also known as Ontario Court Form 74.8) is available for free download from the Ontario Court Forms website. This affidavit confirms that the witness saw the person making the will sign it in front of them. When an executor applies to the courts to validate a will (a process called “probate”), they should file the affidavit of execution with the probate application. While it may be possible to probate a will without an affidavit of execution, it will likely make the process more difficult and lengthy.

Do I need an affidavit of execution?

An affidavit of execution is not a legal requirement, and your will is valid without one. However, if your will needs to go through probate (the process in which the court formally approves your will as legally valid), the court will require an affidavit of execution.

If an affidavit of execution is not completed when the will is witnessed, it can be difficult to find one of the witnesses to complete the affidavit of execution, especially if a long time has passed since the will was signed and witnessed. We complete an affidavit of execution for every will we witness remotely to save you and your loved ones hassle and stress when your will is most needed.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone else - your “attorney” - the power to act on your behalf.

A power of attorney for personal care lets your attorney make personal care decisions on your behalf if you become mentally incapable of making them for yourself. Your attorney becomes your substitute decision-maker for making personal care and medical decisions, such as whether you will receive or decline certain medical treatments.

A continuing power of attorney for property lets your attorney manage your financial affairs and allows the person you name to act for you even if you become mentally incapable. This includes managing your bank accounts, making bill and rent payments and making purchases on your behalf.

Do I really need a power of attorney?

Yes, every person should have a power of attorney. It’s the easiest way to ensure that your directives for your property and health care are followed, and that decisions in your best interest are made.

If you are incapacitated due to illness or injury and do not have a power of attorney, your family may have a very difficult time taking care of your property and finances and making medical decisions on your behalf. They may need to seek legal advice, or take additional legal action to be able to make decisions on your behalf. This can become extremely complicated and costly.

How do I write my power of attorney?

You can speak to a lawyer who specializes in estates for help with creating your power of attorney.

You can also use the Ministry of the Attorney General’s free Power of Attorney Kit.

Another option is to use an online platform to write your POAs. Downtown Notary is partnering with Willful, an online platform that makes it affordable, convenient and easy for Canadians to create a legal powers of attorney online, with pricing plans starting at $99. Use code DTN20 to save $20 off your plan. Get started today at Willful.co.

Once you have your power of attorney drafted, Notarize.ca can help you remotely witness your powers of attorney.

Can Downtown Notary draft my power of attorney?

No, at this time our services are limited to witnessing wills and we are unable to draft powers of attorney. You can speak to a lawyer who specializes in estates for help with creating your power of attorney. You can also use the Ministry of the Attorney General’s free Power of Attorney Kit.

Another option is to use an online platform to write your POAs. Downtown Notary is partnering with Willful, an online platform that makes it affordable, convenient and easy for Canadians to create a legal powers of attorney online, with pricing plans starting at $99. Use code DTN20 to save $20 off your plan. Get started today at Willful.co.

Once you have your power of attorney drafted, Notarize.ca can help you remotely witness your powers of attorney.

How do I sign my power of attorney?

For your power of attorney to be legally valid, you must sign it in the presence of two witnesses. The witnesses must also sign the power of attorney. The witnesses can’t be the attorney or their spouse or partner; your spouse, partner, or child, or someone that you treat as your child; a person whose property is under guardianship or who has a guardian of the person; or a person under the age of 18.

Does my power of attorney need to be notarized?

It is not a legal requirement for your power of attorney to be notarized, but there are very good reasons to get it notarized anyway.

First, notarizing your power of attorney assures others that the signature on the document is genuine and the documents are legitimate. This makes it less likely that the validity of your power of attorney will be questioned.

Secondly, many financial institutions, like banks, will not accept powers of attorney for property unless they are notarized. If you’re not sure what your bank’s requirements are, we suggest that you contact them for more information.

Do I need a notarial certificate with my power of attorney?

A notarial certificate states the circumstances in which your power of attorney was signed and witnessed. A notarial certificate is not a legal requirement, and your power of attorney is valid without one.