A Notary Public is a person authorized to witness signatures, administer oaths, affirmations, and declarations, and certify true copies of documents. Notaries Public play a critical role in the verification of documents and signatures for legal, financial, and other official purposes. In Ontario, typically only lawyers and paralegals in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario can be appointed as Notaries Public.

Witnessing Signatures:

Notaries Public can witness and certify the signing of documents, ensuring that the signatories are who they claim to be.

Administering Oaths and Affirmations:

They can administer oaths, affirmations, and statutory declarations for various legal and official purposes.

Certifying Copies:

Notaries Public can certify copies of original documents, verifying that they are true copies.

Affidavits and Declarations:

They can notarize affidavits and statutory declarations required for court proceedings or other official matters.

Despite any requirement in law to exercise his or her powers in a person’s physical presence, if the regulations made under this Act so provide and the conditions set out in the regulations are met, a notary public may, in accordance with the regulations, exercise his or her powers without being in the person’s physical presence. Notaries Act, RSO 1990, c N.6 s.

At the time of the information provided here, there are no other relevant regulations made under this Act, meaning all notary services in Ontario must be IN PERSON.