Becoming a commissioner for taking affidavits or a notary public (non-lawyer and non-paralegal)
Learn about the process to apply for, renew, change or cancel an appointment.
Canada Post strike
As of October 11, 2025, Canada Post moved from a nation-wide strike action to rotating strikes. As a result, mail and parcel delivery have resumed, although customers may continue to experience delays in mail service.
We can only accept payment by cheque or money order. Our mailing address is a mail-only address and cannot accept hand deliveries or drop-offs. If you are using a courier service, please provide them with our postal code (M7A 1N3) so they can redirect the correspondence to the appropriate location.
We are monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed.
Changes to appointment term lengths and new application form
Effective January 1, 2026, appointment terms for commissioner for taking affidavits and non-lawyer/non-paralegal notary public will be for 10 years and can be renewed for additional terms of 10 years.
We will no longer issue certificates of appointment. The Notice of Approval serves as the official document confirming authority to act as Commissioner for taking affidavits or non-lawyer/non-paralegal Notary Public.
New interactive application form
Effective January 9, 2026, a new interactive application form is available and must be submitted when:
- applying for a new commissioner or notary public appointment
- applying for a law student commissioner appointment
- requesting a commissioner renewal or notary public reappointment
- submitting a request to change or revoke an appointment
Applications or requests submitted using old application forms will not be accepted. This includes any requests for renewal, reappointment, or changes/revocations submitted on business or organization letterhead.
Overview
A commissioner for taking affidavits can take affidavits and administer oaths, affirmations or declarations. Commissioners are governed by the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, 1990.
People holding specific offices (for example, lawyers, paralegals and municipal clerks) are automatically commissioners and don’t need to apply.
Find a complete list of these office holders here.
A notary public has all the powers of a commissioner for taking affidavits, and can also verify that signatures, marks and copies of documents are true or genuine. Notaries are governed by the Notaries Act.
If you are a lawyer or paralegal, there is a separate process to apply. Learn how to become a notary public if you are an Ontario lawyer or paralegal.
Effective January 1, 2026, an appointment for a commissioner or non-lawyer/non-paralegal notary public lasts for a ten-year term and can be renewed for additional terms of 10 years.
Application review
We review applications on an individual and case-by-case basis. It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to process a complete application once we receive it. A complete application package includes:
- a fully completed and signed application
- security check consent form
- letter of authorization
- any other required document(s), is typically processed within 4 to 6 weeks of receipt.
Incomplete application packages are returned.
Purpose of the appointment
If we appoint you as a commissioner or non-lawyer/non-paralegal notary public through the application process outlined on this webpage, it is not considered a:
- profession
- new business
- new employment or volunteer opportunity
Instead, this appointment is meant to provide the necessary powers required to be performed as part of someone’s existing job duties/responsibilities and/or regular business transactions.
New interactive application form
A new interactive application form is now available and should be used for all requests, including:
- applying for a new commissioner or notary public appointment
- applying for a law student commissioner appointment
- requesting a commissioner renewal or notary public reappointment
- submitting a change or revocation request
The new interactive application form includes a series of self-assessment questions to help individuals determine their eligibility for an appointment. If eligible, the form guides applicants through each step, requesting completion of mandatory fields and uploading of necessary documents to accompany the submission.
New appointments
For new appointments, you are first required to fill out and submit the application form. After the ministry’s review, if it is determined that you are eligible for an appointment, you will receive email instructions to submit applicable payment (cheque or money order). Electronic payment is not available.
Renewals and reappointments
For renewals and reappointments, the completed application package must be printed and submitted by mail with a cheque or money order for the applicable fee as electronic payment is not available.
More information is available below.
Apply to be a commissioner for taking affidavits
Who can apply
To apply, you must:
- be eligible to work in Canada
- work at a registered Ontario business or organization that requires commissioner services as part of its regular business
Law students must be employed for the summer by a law firm or legal organization under the supervision, direction, and guidance of a licensed lawyer.
How to apply
Complete these steps to apply.
1. Complete the interactive application form
This application form will assist you in determining if you are eligible for an appointment by answering a series of questions.
If eligible, the form will guide you through each step to ensure all mandatory fields are fully completed and required documents are attached prior to submitting your application package electronically (by email).
The application package consists of all of the following fully completed and signed forms and documents:
- Commissioner application form
- Self-Declaration and Consent form
- Security check consent statement form
- Letter of authorization from your employer
- Occupation specific document(s) as required
2. Submit your application package
The application package can be saved and submitted electronically once all mandatory fields are complete and required documents have been uploaded.
If you’ve password-protected your PDF document prior to uploading them to your application form, indicate that your password will be sent in a separate email.
The appointment fee is $75.00 and electronic payment is not available. If the ministry intends to grant you an appointment, you will receive email instructions to submit payment for processing.
If you do not have access to email, you can submit a printed copy of your application package with payment by mail or courier to (no hand deliveries):
Ministry of the Attorney General
Legal Appointments Office
77 Wellesley Street West, Box 720
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1N3
If you are submitting an application package by mail, you must include a cheque or money order for the appointment fee of $75.00 payable to “Minister of Finance.” HST is not applicable. Do not send cash or credit card information. Electronic payment is not available.
If you are an employee of the federal, provincial or municipal government, a First Nations band, or a Children’s Aid Society, you do not need to pay a fee. Please refer to the General Regulation for more information.
Apply to be a notary public (non-lawyer and non-paralegal)
Who can apply
To apply you must:
- be eligible to work in Canada
- demonstrate that notarizing documents in Ontario is a required part of your job (for example, as an Ontario corporation taking part in trade or commerce outside Ontario)
Notary appointments are not granted to people who only require the powers of a commissioner. Notary appointments are also not granted to allow applicants to enter a new line of business or employment and/or expand services currently available to clients.
How to apply
Complete these steps to apply.
1. Complete the interactive application form
The application form will assist you in determining if you are eligible for an appointment by answering a series of questions.
If eligible, the form will guide you through each step to ensure all mandatory fields are fully completed and required documents are attached prior to saving and submitting your application package electronically (by email).
This will assist you in submitting a fully completed request eliminating delays due to incompleteness.
The application package consists of all of the following fully completed and signed forms and documents:
- Non-lawyer/non-paralegal Notary Public application form
- Self-Declaration and Consent form
- Security check consent statement form
- Letter of authorization from your employer
- Occupation specific document(s) as required
2. Submit your application package
The application package can be saved and submitted electronically once all mandatory fields are complete and required documents have been uploaded.
If you have password-protected your PDF documents prior to uploading them to your application form, indicate that your password will be sent in a separate email.
The appointment fee is $110.00 and electronic payment is not available. If the ministry intends to grant you an appointment, you will receive email instructions to submit payment for processing.
If you do not have access to email, you can submit a printed copy of your application package with payment by mail or courier to (no hand deliveries):
Ministry of the Attorney General
Legal Appointments Office
77 Wellesley Street West, Box 720
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1N3
If you are submitting an application by mail, you must include a cheque or money order for the appointment fee of $110.00 payable to “Minister of Finance.” HST is not applicable. Do not send cash or credit card information. Electronic payment is not available.
If you are an employee of the federal, provincial or municipal government, a First Nations band or a Children’s Aid Society, you do not need to pay a fee. Please refer to the General Regulation for more information.
Renew an appointment
Please send your renewal/reappointment request at least two months before your appointment expires, but no earlier than six months before expiry. This will allow the ministry sufficient time to process your renewal/reappointment before your expiry.
Submitting your renewal/reappointment too close to your expiry date may result in your appointment expiring and incurring additional cost or having to submit a new application.
If your appointment as a commissioner or notary public expires in less than six months and you still work for the same organization:
1. Complete the interactive application form
The application form will guide you through each step to ensure all mandatory fields are fully completed and required documents are attached prior to submitting your application package. The Request for Commissioner Renewal or Notary Public Reappointment package consists of all of the fully completed and signed forms and documents:
- Request for Commissioner Renewal or Notary Public Reappointment form
- Self-declaration and Consent form
- Security check consent form
- Letter of authorization signed by your employer with an imprint of your stamp. Note any changes needed to your stamp wording
2. Pay the fee
View the fees to renew or change an appointment in the table below. There is no fee to revoke (cancel) an appointment.
You must pay by cheque or money order, payable to the "Minister of Finance" as electronic payment is not available.
| Renewal type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Renew a commissioner appointment that has not yet expired | $50 |
| Renew an expired commissioner appointment (if expired within six months of expiry) | $75 |
| Change the wording of your commissioner stamp (if your appointment expires in over a year) | $17 |
| Change the wording of your commissioner stamp and receive a renewal (if your appointment expires in less than a year) | $75 |
The fee is waived for certain individuals. For more information, please review the General Regulation.
| Reappointment type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Reappoint a notary appointment that has not yet expired | $75 |
| Reappoint an expired notary appointment (if expired within six months of expiry) | $110 |
| Change the wording of your notary stamp (if your appointment expires in over a year) | $17 |
| Change the wording of your notary stamp and receive a reappointment (if your appointment expires in less than a year) | $110 |
Note: If your commissioner or notary public appointment has expired six or more months ago, a new application must be submitted.
The fee is waived for certain individuals. For more information, please review the General Regulation.
3. Submit your request
Once you have confirmed the application form and additional forms have been fully completed, save and print the application package.
Submit your fully completed and signed request form, self-declaration and consent form, security check consent form, letter of authorization with your stamp imprint, and payment by mail or courier to (no hand deliveries):
Ministry of the Attorney General
Legal Appointments Office
77 Wellesley Street West, Box 720
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1N3
You must include a cheque or money order for the applicable fee payable to “Minister of Finance.” HST is not applicable. Do not send cash or credit card information as electronic payment is not available.
Only fully completed requests with payment will be processed.
When to submit a new application
Whether you are a commissioner or non-lawyer/non-paralegal notary public, you need to submit a new application or to make changes to your appointment if your:
- appointment expired six months or more ago
- your appointment was for a different business or organization
- the business or organization’s name changed due to a change in ownership
Change or revoke an appointment
A request to change or revoke (cancel) an appointment can be submitted if:
- you need to change your stamp wording (e.g. the business/organisation’s legal name has changed)
- you and/or the business/organization no longer requires the appointment
- you are no longer in the position you were appointed for
- you are no longer employed with the business/organization
Fee
The fee to change the wording of your commissioner or notary public stamp is $17.00. There is no fee to revoke an appointment.
Please note that change requests are subject to ministry approval.
Steps to revoke and appointment
Complete these steps to change or revoke an appointment:
1. Complete the interactive application form
The application form will guide you through each step to ensure all mandatory fields are fully completed.
2. Submit your Request to Change or Revoke an Appointment form
Once you have confirmed all mandatory fields of the application form have been fully completed and a copy of the stamp imprint has been uploaded, you can save and submit your request electronically if no fee is applicable.
If a fee is applicable, you must print your fully completed request form, attach your stamp imprint and send it with your payment by mail or courier to (no hand deliveries):
Ministry of the Attorney General
Legal Appointments Office
77 Wellesley Street West, Box 720
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1N3
You must include a cheque or money order for the applicable fee payable to “Minister of Finance.” HST is not applicable. Do not send cash or credit card information as electronic payment is not available.
Only fully completed requests with payment (if applicable) will be processed.
Contact us
If you have questions about your appointment or the application process, email the Ministry of the Attorney General at appointments@ontario.ca
Please note that the Ministry of the Attorney General cannot advise you on the appropriate application to submit, cannot pre-screen your application and is not authorized to comment on specific commissioning or notarizing needs as it may constitute legal advice. You may wish to consult with a lawyer if you have specific commissioning or notarizing inquiries.