CCDC 9B Statutory Declaration: Notarize Online in Ontario (Subcontractor)

Last updated: September 5, 2026

CCDC 9B Statutory Declaration: Notarize Online in Ontario (Subcontractor)

Quick answer: CCDC 9B is the construction-industry Statutory Declaration of Progress Payment Distribution by Subcontractor. An authorized officer of the subcontractor declares that everyone the subcontractor owes for the work — sub-subcontractors, suppliers and labour — has been paid from prior progress payments, other than holdback and disputed amounts. It goes to the contractor, not the owner; that is the difference from CCDC 9A. The officer can swear it before an Ontario notary public online, by secure video, for a flat $24.95 per stamp plus HST.

On most CCDC-based projects the contractor cannot draw its own progress payment without a sworn CCDC 9A, and the contractor will not release the subcontractor's draw without a sworn CCDC 9B. So the request usually arrives the same way every time: the site or head office needs the declaration signed today, the draw closes tomorrow, and the only officer with signing authority is on a different site. For Ontario subcontractors that officer can swear it online over video in about ten minutes.

This guide explains what CCDC 9B declares, how it differs from CCDC 9A, who signs it, how to do it online, and what to have ready. If the form is complete, you can book online or call (613) 434-5555. For the contractor's side of the same draw, see our guide to the CCDC 9A progress payment declaration, and for the wider picture, the statutory declaration guide.

Caption: CCDC 9B is the subcontractor's sworn statement that its own trades and suppliers have been paid — sworn online before the notary, who commissions it.

Key Takeaways

What a Notary Can and Cannot Do

What a notary can and cannot do: A notary public administers the oath or affirmation, confirms the identity of the officer swearing, witnesses the signature, and commissions the declaration. A notary does not verify that sub-subcontractors or suppliers were paid, confirm the officer's authority to bind the company, or advise on holdback, liens or the Construction Act payment timelines. The truth of the declaration is the subcontractor's responsibility; for payment or lien disputes, consult a construction lawyer.

Minute Notary commissions declarations as an Ontario notary public, including by video under O. Reg. 431/20.

What CCDC 9B Declares

CCDC 9B – 2018 is the subcontractor's counterpart to the contractor's CCDC 9A. With each application for progress payment after the first, the subcontractor's authorized officer declares that all amounts owing for labour, sub-subcontracts, products, materials and equipment on the subcontract — for the work included in the contractor's prior payments to the subcontractor — have been paid, except for holdback properly retained and amounts in legitimate dispute.

The form exists because payment on a construction project runs down a chain. The owner pays the contractor; the contractor pays its subcontractors; each subcontractor pays its own trades and suppliers. Anyone unpaid at any level can register a lien against the owner's land under Ontario's Construction Act. The sworn declarations at each level are how the people releasing money satisfy themselves that the level below has been paid before the next draw goes out. The Act sets the payment clock — the prompt payment rules and the holdback — while the declaration is a contract requirement that most CCDC-based subcontracts flow down from the prime contract.

CCDC 9A or CCDC 9B: Which One Do You Sign?

The two forms are almost word-for-word the same declaration; what changes is who makes it and who relies on it.

If you hold the prime contract with the owner, you sign 9A. If you hold a subcontract with the contractor, you sign 9B. If you are a sub-subcontractor, the subcontractor above you may ask for a declaration on the same terms; the CCDC form for that level is still 9B, adapted to name the parties.

How to Swear CCDC 9B Online — Step by Step

1. Complete the CCDC 9B, unsigned, with the project, the subcontract, and the payment period.
2. Confirm the right officer will swear it — someone with authority to bind the subcontractor and knowledge of the payments.
3. Book the service and a time. Choose statutory declarations when you book online. Slots run on Ottawa time (America/Toronto).
4. Join the video call and verify identity with valid government photo ID.
5. Swear or affirm, then sign the declaration while the notary watches.
6. The notary commissions it and applies the seal.
7. Submit it to the contractor with the application for payment.

What to Bring to Your Online Appointment

Booking note: Subcontractors who need CCDC 9B every draw can book a recurring online appointment. Call (613) 434-5555 to arrange a regular slot.

Online or In Person — How to Decide

Why Swear It Online

A subcontractor with several active jobs may need a 9B for each one, each month. Sending the one officer with signing authority to a notary's office for every draw is the sort of overhead that quietly eats a margin. A ten-minute video appointment from the site trailer, the truck, or the head office does the same job, and same-day slots are often available when a draw deadline is close. The trade-offs are the usual ones: a working camera, a quiet spot, valid photo ID, and a complete form.

A Quick Scenario

A mechanical subcontractor in Ottawa has three commercial jobs on the go, each on a CCDC 2 prime contract with the requirement flowed down into the subcontract. Every month the accountant prepares three CCDC 9B forms. The company's president, who is the only authorized officer, joins one video appointment from the truck, shows photo ID, swears all three declarations, and signs each while the notary watches. The notary commissions them; the accountant sends each to the relevant general contractor with that job's application for payment. Three stamps, one call, no drive across town.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Signing the contractor's form. 9A is for the party holding the prime contract. A subcontractor signs 9B.
• The wrong person swearing. It must be an authorized officer with knowledge of the payments, not whoever is free.
• Signing before the appointment. Swear and sign in front of the notary; a pre-signed form has to be redone.
• Treating holdback as unpaid. Holdback properly retained is an exception on the form, not a breach of it.
• Assuming the notary checks the payments. That is the subcontractor's responsibility, and the declaration is sworn.
• Expired ID. Valid government photo ID is required on camera.

Where Subcontractors Book From Across Ontario

Because the appointment is by video, the officer can swear the declaration from any site or office in Ontario. Subcontractors 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

Note: pricing is per notarial act. Three declarations for three jobs are three stamps, and if a second officer also signs, each additional signer is one more stamp.

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

What is a CCDC 9B statutory declaration?

CCDC 9B is the Canadian Construction Documents Committee form titled Statutory Declaration of Progress Payment Distribution by Subcontractor. An authorized officer of the subcontractor declares, under oath or affirmation, that everyone the subcontractor owes for the work — sub-subcontractors, suppliers of products and equipment, and labour — has been paid from prior progress payments, other than holdback and amounts in genuine dispute. It is sworn before a notary or commissioner and handed to the contractor with the next application for payment.

What is the difference between CCDC 9A and CCDC 9B?

Who swears it and who receives it. CCDC 9A is sworn by the contractor and goes to the owner or the payment certifier; CCDC 9B is sworn by the subcontractor and goes to the contractor. Both declare that the people one level down the payment chain have been paid for prior periods. A subcontractor with its own sub-trades may be asked for 9B by the contractor and, in turn, ask its sub-trades for their own declarations.

Can I notarize a CCDC 9B online?

Yes. The subcontractor's authorized officer can swear it before an Ontario notary public over a secure video appointment under O. Reg. 431/20 — show valid government photo ID, swear the declaration on camera, and sign while the notary watches. Confirm the contractor receiving it accepts a remotely commissioned declaration; most do.

Who signs the CCDC 9B?

An authorized signing officer of the subcontractor — someone with authority to bind the company and knowledge of what has been paid. A project manager or bookkeeper without signing authority should not swear it. The notary verifies identity and commissions the declaration; the notary does not verify the payments themselves.

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 a small card processing fee, shown before you pay. If more than one officer signs, each additional signer is one more stamp.

Does the notary check that my suppliers were paid?

No. The notary administers the oath, confirms who is swearing, and completes the jurat. The truth of the declaration — that sub-subcontractors, suppliers and labour have been paid — is the subcontractor's responsibility, and a false statutory declaration is a criminal offence under section 134 of the Criminal Code.

Final Recommendation

If a contractor has asked you for a CCDC 9B, have your authorized officer swear it online in a short video appointment, with valid photo ID and the form complete. It keeps the draw moving without pulling the one person who can sign off a site. If you were handed a 9A instead, check the contract: 9A belongs to the party that holds the prime contract with the owner. The notary makes the declaration official; the truth of the payments is yours, and for lien or payment disputes, consult a construction lawyer.

Book Your Appointment

Need to notarize a CCDC 9B statutory declaration? 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: Statutory Declarations
• Contractor's form: CCDC 9A progress payment declaration
• Related guide: Statutory declaration online in Canada
• Hours: Every day, Saturday and Sunday included, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Ottawa time)

Sources

• CCDC 9A and CCDC 9B — Statutory Declarations (Canadian Construction Documents Committee)
• Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act (Ontario)
• O. Reg. 431/20: Administering Oath or Declaration Remotely (Ontario)
• Notaries Act (Ontario)
• Construction Act (Ontario)