How to become a notary public (Ontario lawyers and paralegals)
If you are a practising lawyer or paralegal in Ontario, you can apply to be a notary public (a person who witnesses oaths, signs affidavits and certifies documents to be true copies of the original).
Official Documents Services processes this application and issues a Certificate of Appointment.
Before you apply
You can download this one-page reference guide to help you with your application.
Eligibility
As a lawyer or paralegal, you can be appointed as a notary public after being licensed by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO).
This is a lifetime appointment as long as you are in good standing with the LSO. Only Ontario lawyers and paralegals working in Ontario can apply.
How to apply
To apply to be appointed as a notary public, you will need to:
- download and complete the Notary Public Application form online
- click “Submit” on the form to email the application to Official Document Services electronically
- pay the required fee by mail to:
Official Documents Services
Main Floor
222 Jarvis Street
Toronto Ontario M7A 0B6
Cost
- lawyers and paralegals: $145 fee (one-time fee, all taxes exempted)
- government lawyers and paralegals: $0 (fees will be waived)
Payment
Send a cheque or money order by mail made payable to: The Minister of Finance.
Ensure to include both your LSO number and application reference number in the memo section of the cheque or money order.
Note: applicants who do not wish to submit their application online have the option to download, print and submit a completed paper application by mail to the ODS office. Applications will not be accepted by fax.
After you apply
Once your application is processed, you will receive a notary public package in the mail with a Certificate of Appointment issued by Official Documents Services (ODS) and a form for you to provide a specimen of your embossed seal and signature. This will be used by ODS to authenticate any future documents that you notarize. If you do not send in this form, ODS will be unable to authenticate documents you notarize.
Non-lawyers and non-paralegals
You need to apply to be appointed a notary public through the Ministry of the Attorney General.
Commissioners for taking affidavits
You need to apply for this designation through the Ministry of the Attorney General.