Form 6B is the Ontario family court affidavit of service; Form 26B is the affidavit for filing a domestic contract with the court. Swear either online by video with a notary. How it works, what to bring, flat $24.95.
Last updated: September 23, 2026
Affidavit of Service (Form 6B) and Domestic Contract Affidavit (Form 26B): Sworn Online in Ontario
Quick answer: Ontario family court uses two similarly numbered affidavits that do different jobs. Form 6B is the Affidavit of Service — the sworn proof of what was served, on whom, how, when, and where, sworn by the person who served it. Form 26B is the Affidavit for Filing Domestic Contract with Court — sworn by a party when a domestic contract, such as a separation agreement, is filed with the court; it is not an affidavit of service. Either can be sworn before an Ontario notary public online, by secure video: show valid photo ID, swear or affirm the statement on camera, and sign as the notary takes your oath. It costs a flat $24.95 per stamp plus HST. Confirm with the court office that it accepts a remotely commissioned affidavit. The notary commissions the affidavit; the Family Law Rules govern whether service was valid and what filing a contract achieves.
After you serve a family court document, the court needs proof — and that proof is a sworn affidavit of service (Form 6B). Separately, a party who wants a signed domestic contract on the court file swears a Form 26B. Both swearings are quick, and for Ontario matters either can be done online over video, without a trip to an office.
This guide explains what each form covers, who swears it, how to do it online, and where a family lawyer is the right call. If your affidavit is ready, you can book online or call (613) 434-5555. For the bigger picture, see our guide to online and virtual notary services and the affidavit guide.
Key Takeaways
| Decision point | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Which form | Form 6B for proof of service; Form 26B for filing a domestic contract | They are different affidavits — 26B does not prove service. |
| Who swears | 6B: the person who served the document; 26B: a party to the contract | The deponent must have personal knowledge of what they swear. |
| Exhibits | 6B: a copy of what was served; 26B: the contract being filed | Attached and referred to in the affidavit. |
| Court acceptance | Whether the court office takes a remotely commissioned affidavit | Confirm with the court office before you rely on it. |
| Price | Flat $24.95 per stamp plus HST | Same online or in person. |
What a Notary Can and Cannot Do
What a notary can and cannot do: A notary public administers the oath or affirmation on camera, takes your sworn statement as you sign, and commissions the affidavit. A notary does not decide whether service met the court rules, advise on how to serve, draft the affidavit, review or advise on a domestic contract, or give legal advice on your case. Those are matters of the court rules and, where you need advice, a family lawyer.
Minute Notary commissions affidavits as an Ontario notary public, including online by video under O. Reg. 431/20. For advice on service, your proceeding, or a domestic contract, see notary vs lawyer in Ontario.
Form 6B: What the Affidavit of Service Covers
An affidavit of service sets out the facts of service so the court can confirm the other party received the document. Form 6B typically states:
- What document was served.
- Who was served (the party or their representative).
- How it was served (in person, by mail, by email, or another permitted method).
- When and where it was served.
- The server's identity and that they have knowledge of the service.
A copy of the document served is often attached as an exhibit. Form 6B is the Family Law Rules affidavit of service for family court matters, including divorce and enforcement proceedings; use it whenever your family matter needs proof of service. For Small Claims Court matters (a branch of the Superior Court of Justice), the affidavit of service is Form 8A — see our Form 8A guide.
Form 26B: The Affidavit for Filing a Domestic Contract
Form 26B is not an affidavit of service. Its full name under the Family Law Rules is the Affidavit for Filing Domestic Contract with Court. A party swears it when a domestic contract — for example a separation agreement — is filed with the family court, confirming the facts the form asks about the contract. The contract itself is attached.
Two things a notary cannot do here: decide whether filing the contract is the right step for you, and review or advise on the contract's terms. Those are questions for a family lawyer. What the notary does is commission the affidavit once the form is complete: you swear or affirm it on camera and sign, and the notary seals it.
If the domestic contract itself still needs its signatures witnessed, that is a separate, in-person act — we witness signatures at our Orléans office or by mobile visit, not by video.
Form 6B in Divorce and Family Court Matters
Divorce and other family law proceedings are exactly where Form 6B applies: after an application, motion, or other document is served on the other party, the server swears the affidavit of service confirming who was served, how, when, and where, and it is filed with the court as proof. The swearing can be done online with a notary; the divorce process itself, including how documents must be served, is a matter for the Family Law Rules and — where you need advice — a family lawyer. For documents that support divorce filings, see our divorce documents notarization guide.
How to Swear It Online — Step by Step
- Complete the affidavit, unsigned, with its exhibit ready — a copy of what was served (Form 6B) or the domestic contract (Form 26B).
- Book the service and a time. Choose affidavits when you book online. Slots run on Ottawa time (America/Toronto).
- Join the video call and verify identity with valid government photo ID.
- Swear or affirm on camera and sign as the notary takes your oath; exhibits are marked at signing.
- The notary commissions it and applies their seal.
- File it with the court — as your proof of service, or with the domestic contract.
What to Bring to Your Online Appointment
| Item | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| The completed affidavit, unsigned | You swear and sign in front of the notary. |
| For Form 6B: a copy of the document served | Attached as the exhibit and marked at signing. |
| For Form 26B: the domestic contract being filed | Attached as the exhibit and marked at signing. |
| Valid government photo ID | Required on camera. |
| A payment method | The flat fee plus HST is taken before release. |
Booking note: If several affidavits of service must be sworn (multiple parties served), each is the same flat rate and can be done in one appointment. Call (613) 434-5555 if you are unsure which form applies.
Online or In Person — How to Decide
| Your situation | Best channel | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit ready, valid ID, court accepts remote | Online by video | No travel; commissioned under O. Reg. 431/20. |
| The court office asks for in-person commissioning | In person | Confirm with the court office first. |
| Multiple affidavits of service to swear | Online by video | Each is the same flat rate, done in one session. |
| No working camera or quiet space | In person | The notary must see and hear you clearly. |
Why Swear It Online
Litigation timelines are tight, and the server is often a process server or a party juggling deadlines. The online route lets them swear the affidavit from wherever they are in an appointment that averages 3–4 minutes, with same-day slots often available before a filing deadline. The trade-offs are the usual ones: a working camera, a quiet space, valid photo ID, the affidavit complete with exhibits, and a court that accepts remote commissioning.
A Quick Scenario
A party in Ottawa serves family-court documents on the other side by an approved method, then needs to file proof. They complete Form 6B with the details of service and attach a copy of what was served, join a short video appointment (they average 3–4 minutes), show photo ID, swear the affidavit on camera, and sign. The notary commissions it, and they file it with the court before the deadline. A spouse filing a signed separation agreement with the court does the same with Form 26B, attaching the agreement instead.
When to Call a Family Lawyer Instead
- You are unsure how to serve a document or whether your service was valid.
- You are deciding whether to file a domestic contract with the court, or what filing it achieves.
- The proceeding is contested and you need advice on strategy.
- The court has specific rules you do not understand.
A notary commissions the affidavit; a family lawyer advises on the proceeding and the contract.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Form 26B as proof of service. It is not an affidavit of service — proof of service in family court is Form 6B.
- Missing the exhibit. Attach a copy of what was served (Form 6B) or the contract (Form 26B) if the affidavit refers to it.
- The wrong person swearing. Only the person with knowledge of the service can swear Form 6B.
- Signing before the appointment. Swear and sign in front of the notary.
- Assuming every court accepts remote swearing. Confirm the court office's practice.
Where Clients Book From Across Ontario
Because the appointment is by video, the deponent can swear the affidavit from anywhere in Ontario for an Ontario proceeding. Clients book from across the province:
- Greater Toronto Area — Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Oshawa, Pickering
- Eastern Ontario — Ottawa, Kingston, Cornwall, Belleville, Brockville, Pembroke
- Central Ontario — Barrie, Peterborough, Orillia, Newmarket
- Southwestern Ontario — Hamilton, London, Kitchener–Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Windsor, Brantford, St. Catharines
- Northern Ontario — Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Timmins
Pricing and Booking
| Service | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit of service (Form 6B) | $24.95 per stamp | Flat rate plus HST, online or in person |
| Affidavit for filing a domestic contract (Form 26B) | $24.95 per stamp | Flat rate plus HST, online or in person |
| Each additional stamp / seal | $24.95 | Same flat rate, no bulk tiers |
Note: the first signer is included; if more than one person signs the same document, each additional signer is charged an additional-signer fee of $24.95.
Online appointments add HST plus a small card processing fee, shown in full before you pay. To book, choose affidavits when you book online, or call (613) 434-5555.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Form 6B (Affidavit of Service)?
Form 6B is the Family Law Rules affidavit of service — a sworn statement confirming what court document was served, on whom, how, when, and where. It is the proof of service used in Ontario family court, including divorce and enforcement matters. The person who served the document swears it before a notary or commissioner; the court rules decide how service and proof of service must be done.
Is Form 26B an affidavit of service?
No. Form 26B is the Affidavit for Filing Domestic Contract with Court under the Family Law Rules. A party swears it when a domestic contract — for example a separation agreement — is filed with the family court. It is a different affidavit from Form 6B: it proves nothing about service, and Form 6B proves nothing about a contract. A notary can commission either; a family lawyer can advise whether filing a contract is right for you.
Can I swear Form 6B or Form 26B online?
Yes. Either affidavit can be sworn or affirmed before an Ontario notary public over a secure video appointment under O. Reg. 431/20 — show valid government photo ID, swear or affirm the statement on camera, and sign as the notary takes your oath. Confirm with the court office that it accepts a remotely commissioned affidavit before relying on it.
Who swears each affidavit?
Form 6B is sworn by the person who actually served the document — they must have personal knowledge of the service. Form 26B is sworn by a party to the domestic contract being filed. The notary verifies identity and commissions the affidavit; it does not verify that service was valid or review the contract.
What do I need for the appointment?
A device with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, valid government photo ID, and the completed affidavit, unsigned — with its exhibit ready: a copy of the document served for Form 6B, or the domestic contract for Form 26B. You sign in front of the notary, so do not sign beforehand.
How much does it cost?
Minute Notary charges a flat $24.95 per stamp plus HST, the same online or in person. Online appointments add HST plus a small card processing fee, shown before you pay, and nothing is confirmed until payment succeeds. The first signer is included; each additional signer on the same document is charged an additional-signer fee of $24.95.
Can the notary tell me if my service was valid, or whether to file my agreement?
No. A notary commissions your sworn affidavit and verifies your identity. A notary does not advise on whether service met the court rules, how to serve, whether to file a domestic contract, or your case. For that, speak to a family lawyer or check the court's rules and guides.
Final Recommendation
If you need to file proof of service in an Ontario family matter, complete Form 6B, attach a copy of what was served, and have the person who served it swear it online in a short video appointment. If you are filing a domestic contract with the court, the affidavit is Form 26B — a different form, sworn by a party to the contract. Confirm the court office accepts a remotely commissioned affidavit. The notary makes the swearing official; the Family Law Rules govern whether service was valid and what filing a contract achieves, and a family lawyer can advise if you are unsure.
Book Your Appointment
Need to swear an affidavit of service (Form 6B) or an affidavit for filing a domestic contract (Form 26B) in Ontario? Minute Notary commissions it by secure video — flat $24.95 per stamp plus HST.
- Book online: Request an appointment
- Call: (613) 434-5555
- Service page: Affidavits
- Related guide: Notarize an affidavit online
- Hours: Every day, Saturday and Sunday included, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Ottawa time)
Sources
Related notary services
Need help with this in Ottawa?
About the author
Kai Mai
Content Editor, Minute Notary
Kai Mai writes and edits the Minute Notary guides, working from the published federal and Ontario guidance each article links, and from what Ottawa clients actually run into with certified copies, affidavits, statutory declarations, travel consent letters, and immigration paperwork. These guides are general information written by our editorial team — not legal advice, and not a professional opinion on your document. The receiving authority always has the final say.