Becoming a commissioner for taking affidavits or a notary public (non-lawyer and non-paralegal)

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.

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.

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 package once we receive it. 

A complete application package includes:

• Commissioner application
• Non-lawyer non-paralegal notary public application
• Request for commissioner renewal/ notary reappointment
• Self-assessment questionnaire (for new applications)
• Self-Declaration and Consent Form
• Security check consent form
• required documents (to be uploaded)
  • letter of authorization
  • occupation-specific document(s)

We will return incomplete application packages. Each applicant’s application package must be submitted separately.

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

A new interactive application is now available and should be used for all requests, including:

• applying for a new commissioner or non-lawyer/non-paralegal notary public appointment
• applying for a law student commissioner appointment
• requesting a commissioner renewal or notary public reappointment
• submitting a change or revocation request

Complete all forms and submit your application

The interactive application presents you with all required forms based on the application type you select, and must be completed in a single, continuous session.

Depending on how complex an application is, it can take 10 to 30 minutes to complete.

Completing all forms

You will be guided through each form, in order. Once you complete each form, and you select the “Next” button, the system verifies that you completed all mandatory fields before moving to the next form.

This process continues with all applicable forms, based on the application type you chose.

Electronic signature

You must electronically sign your digital package once you complete the last form before saving it to your computer.

Sending the completed application package

You must send a single, consolidated application package, along with any supporting documents, by email or mail/courier, depending on the application type.

Each application package must be sent individually.

New appointments

For new appointments, you are first required to fill out and submit the interactive application. 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 or courier 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 current and 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

The interactive application will assist you in determining if you are eligible for an appointment by prompting you to answer a series of questions.

If you are eligible, the interactive application will guide you through each form in order. Once you have completed each form, and you selected the “Next” button, the system verifies that you completed all mandatory fields before moving on to the next form. Once all forms are completed, required documents are attached and the application package has been electronically signed and saved, you will submit your application package by email.

The application package consists of the following fully completed and signed forms and documents:

• Commissioner application form
• Self-assessment questionnaire
• Security check consent form
• Documents to be uploaded:
  • Letter of authorization from your employer
  • Occupation specific document(s) as required

Instructions to complete the interactive application

Step 1: Start the interactive application

• Open the interactive application.
• Select the application type that applies to you (for example, new appointment, renewal, reappointment, or change/revocation).

Step 2: Complete each Form

• Fully complete the form.
• Select “Next” to confirm completeness and proceed to the next form.

The system will automatically check that all mandatory fields have been completed.

• If any required information is missing, you will be prompted to complete it before proceeding to the next form.
• You cannot proceed until all mandatory fields are complete.

Step 3: Complete all required forms in one continuous session

• All required forms for your selected application type will be automatically loaded one at a time in a specific order once you select “Next” and confirm your form is complete.
• You must fully complete each form of the application package in one continuous session. The form cannot be partially completed and returned to later.
• Repeat this process until all applicable forms have been completed and verified

Step 4: Electronically sign and save the application package

• After all forms are complete and required documents have been uploaded/attached, you must electronically sign your digital application package.
• You will be prompted to save the completed and signed application package to your computer. Please ensure to save it under the following naming convention:
  • last name, first name, application type, business/organisation name

Step 5: Submit your application package

Submission method depends on your application type:

• New appointments or revocation requests:
  • Email the application package to appointments@ontario.ca. 
    Note: If the ministry intends to grant your application and a fee is applicable, you will receive instructions to submit payment.

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.

• Renewals, reappointments or change requests:
  • If a fee is exempt under R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 76 or R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 831, submit your application package by email to appointments@ontario.ca.
  • Otherwise, print your application including all uploaded/attached documents and mail or courier your application package with cheque or money order for the applicable fee (HST is not applicable), payable to the Minster of Finance. to (no hand deliveries):
    
    Ministry of the Attorney General
    Legal Appointments Office
    77 Wellesley Street West, Box 720
    Toronto, Ontario
    M7A 1N3

Do not send cash or credit card information as electronic payment is not available. Incomplete or incorrectly submitted application packages will be returned. Each applicant’s application package must be submitted separately.

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

The new interactive application will assist you in determining if you are eligible for an appointment by prompting you to answer a series of questions.

If you are eligible, the interactive application will guide you through each required form in order, completing one at a time. Upon pressing “Next”, the interactive application will ensure completeness prior to moving on to the next form. Once all forms are completed, required documents are attached and the application package has been electronically signed and saved, you will submit your application package by email.

The application package consists of the following fully completed and signed forms and documents:

• Notary application form
• Self-assessment questionnaire
• Self-declaration and consent form
• Security check consent form
• Documents to be uploaded:
  • Letter of authorization from your employer
  • Occupation specific document(s) as required

Thoroughly read and follow the instructions to complete the interactive application. Incomplete application packages will be returned.

Renew an appointment

Please send your request for renewal/reappointment 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 request for 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 expires in less than 4 weeks or has expired, you must submit a new application.

How to apply

Upon accessing the interactive application, you must choose the application type you need to submit. The interactive application will guide you through each required form one at a time. Upon pressing the “Next” button, the interactive application will ensure you have completed the form prior to proceeding to the next form, as applicable. Once all required forms are completed, necessary documents have been uploaded and the application package has been electronically signed and saved, you will submit your printed application package by mail or courier with payment for the applicable fee.

The Request for Commissioner Renewal or Notary Public Reappointment package consists of the following 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
• Documents to be uploaded:
  • Letter of authorization signed by your employer with an imprint of your stamp. Note any changes needed to your stamp wording
  • Occupation specific document(s) as required

Thoroughly read and follow the Instructions to Complete the Interactive Application. Incomplete application packages will be returned.

Pay the fee

View the fees to renew or change an appointment in the table below.

You must pay by cheque or money order, payable to the "Minister of Finance" as electronic payment is not available.

The fee is waived for certain individuals. For more information, please review the General Regulation.

The fee is waived for certain individuals. For more information, please review the General Regulation.

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 more than six months
• 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.

How to Apply

Upon accessing the interactive application, you must choose the application type you need to submit. The interactive application will guide you through each required form in order. Once each form is completed and the user selects the “Next” button, the interactive application will ensure the form is completed prior to proceeding to the next form. Once all forms are completed, required documents are attached and the application package has been electronically signed and saved, you will submit your application package by email if no fee is applicable, or by mail or courier with payment for applicable fee.

Thoroughly read and follow the Instructions to Complete the Interactive Application. Incomplete application packages will be returned.