Amend a Birth Registration in Ontario: Notarize the Declaration Online
Correcting or amending an Ontario birth registration often needs a sworn statement. Commission it online by video. How it works, what to bring, flat $19.90.
Last updated: June 23, 2026
Amend a Birth Registration in Ontario: Notarize the Declaration Online
Quick answer: Correcting or amending an Ontario birth registration — fixing an error, updating a parent's particulars, or correcting a child's name — runs through ServiceOntario's Office of the Registrar General, and the application often includes a sworn statement. You can commission that sworn portion before an Ontario notary public online, by secure video: show valid photo ID, swear or affirm the statement, and sign while the notary watches. It costs a flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST. The notary commissions the declaration; ServiceOntario issues the amendment.
A birth registration is the official record behind a birth certificate, and getting it right matters for everything from school to a passport. When you need to amend or correct one, part of the application is sworn. For Ontario families, that declaration can be commissioned online over video, without an office visit.
This guide explains when the sworn step is needed, how to commission it online, and what to bring. If your forms are 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 statutory declaration guide.
Key Takeaways
| Decision point | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| What you're changing | Error, parent particulars, name, etc. | The change determines what the application requires. |
| Sworn step | Whether a declaration is needed | Many amendments require a sworn statement. |
| Who swears | The applicant; sometimes both parents | Each signs with their own ID. |
| Identification | Valid government photo ID | Required on camera. |
| Price | Flat $19.90 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, witnesses the signature, and commissions the sworn declaration. A notary does not decide whether the amendment will be approved, draft the legal content, or issue the corrected record. Those are set by ServiceOntario and the Office of the Registrar General.
Minute Notary commissions declarations as an Ontario notary public, including by video under O. Reg. 431/20.
When the Amendment Needs a Sworn Statement
ServiceOntario handles changes to a birth registration through the Office of the Registrar General. Depending on what you are amending — correcting a spelling, fixing a date, adding or changing a parent's particulars, or correcting a child's name — the application may require a statutory declaration and supporting evidence. Some straightforward corrections may not need a sworn statement at all. Confirm with ServiceOntario what your specific change requires, and what evidence to include, before you book. Once you know a declaration is required, the notary step is quick.
How to Commission the Declaration Online — Step by Step
- Complete the ServiceOntario application, unsigned, with the details of the change.
- Gather supporting documents the amendment requires (evidence of the correct information).
- Book the service and a time. Choose statutory declarations when you book online. Slots run on Ottawa time (America/Toronto).
- Join the video call and verify identity with valid government photo ID.
- Swear and sign the declaration while the notary watches.
- The notary commissions it and applies their seal.
- Submit to ServiceOntario with the application, evidence, and fee.
What to Bring to Your Online Appointment
| Item | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| The completed application/declaration, unsigned | You swear and sign in front of the notary. |
| Valid government photo ID | Required on camera. |
| Supporting documents for the change | To confirm the declaration matches the amendment. |
| Any second parent whose signature is required | Each signs and is witnessed. |
| A payment method | The flat fee plus HST is taken before release. |
Booking note: If two parents must sign and live apart, both can join the same video call. Call (613) 434-5555 if you are unsure what your amendment requires.
Online or In Person — How to Decide
| Your situation | Best channel | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Forms ready, valid ID, stable internet | Online by video | Fastest; commissioned under O. Reg. 431/20. |
| Two parents must sign from different cities | Online by video | Both join the same call with their own ID. |
| Unsure what the amendment requires | Confirm first | Check ServiceOntario before booking. |
| No working camera or quiet space | In person | The notary must see and hear you clearly. |
Why Commission It Online
Vital-statistics paperwork can already mean waiting; the online route at least removes the trip to a notary. You complete the application, join a short video call, swear the declaration, and submit it to ServiceOntario with your evidence. Same-day slots are often available. The trade-offs are the usual ones: a working camera, a quiet space, valid photo ID, and complete forms.
A Quick Scenario
A parent in London notices their child's birth certificate has a misspelled middle name. ServiceOntario's amendment process calls for a sworn statement of the correct information. The parent completes the application, gathers supporting evidence, joins a fifteen-minute video appointment, shows photo ID, swears the declaration, and signs while the notary watches. The notary commissions it, and the parent submits the package to the Office of the Registrar General.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing supporting evidence. Bring the documents that prove the correct information.
- Signing before the appointment. Swear and sign in front of the notary.
- Assuming the notary issues the certificate. ServiceOntario does that.
- Expired ID. Valid government photo ID is required on camera.
Where Clients Book From Across Ontario
Because the appointment is by video, you can join from anywhere in Ontario while your registration stays an Ontario matter. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Birth registration amendment declaration | $19.90 per stamp | Flat rate plus HST, online or in person |
| Each additional stamp / seal | $19.90 | Same flat rate, no bulk tiers |
Online appointments add HST plus a small card processing fee, shown in full before you pay. To book, choose statutory declarations when you book online, or call (613) 434-5555.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does amending a birth registration need a sworn declaration?
The Office of the Registrar General (ServiceOntario) may require a sworn statement or statutory declaration to support an application to amend or correct a birth registration — for example to fix an error, add or change a parent's particulars, or correct a child's name. The exact requirement depends on what you are changing. The notary commissions the declaration; ServiceOntario sets the forms and supporting documents.
Can I notarize a birth registration amendment declaration online?
Yes. The sworn portion can be commissioned 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 while the notary watches. It is an Ontario vital-statistics matter, so this suits Ontario applicants.
Who signs the declaration?
Usually a parent or the person applying to amend the registration signs and swears it. Depending on the change, more than one parent may need to sign. Each person who swears joins the appointment with their own valid government photo ID. The notary verifies identity and witnesses the signatures.
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 application or declaration, unsigned. Have any supporting documents ready to refer to. You sign in front of the notary, so do not sign beforehand.
How much does it cost?
Minute Notary charges a flat $19.90 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.
Does the notary correct the birth certificate?
No. The notary commissions the sworn declaration. The amendment and any new birth certificate are issued by ServiceOntario through the Office of the Registrar General, which sets the forms, fees, and evidence required.
Final Recommendation
If you need to amend an Ontario birth registration, start by confirming with ServiceOntario exactly what your change requires and what evidence to include. If a sworn declaration is part of it, commission it online in a short video appointment with valid photo ID and your supporting documents ready. The notary makes the declaration official; the Office of the Registrar General processes the amendment and issues any new certificate.
Book Your Appointment
Need to notarize a birth registration amendment declaration in Ontario? Minute Notary commissions it by secure video — flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST.
- Book online: Request an appointment
- Call: (613) 434-5555
- Service page: Statutory Declarations
- Related guide: Statutory declaration online in Canada
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Ottawa time)
Sources
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