Last updated: June 23, 2026

Notarize a Statutory Declaration Online in Canada — By Video, Any City

Quick answer: You can get a statutory declaration online in Canada by joining a secure video appointment with an Ontario notary public. You show valid government photo ID, solemnly declare that the statement is true, and sign while the notary watches — then the notary commissions it and applies their seal. It runs under Ontario's O. Reg. 431/20, costs a flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST, and works for clients from Toronto to Calgary to St. John's. Just confirm first that the organization receiving your declaration accepts a remotely commissioned document.

A statutory declaration is the document you reach for when an institution needs you to formally state a fact — that you changed your name, that a document was lost, that you and your partner live common-law, that you are free to marry abroad. It is not court evidence like an affidavit, but it is a solemn statement, and making a false one is an offence. For most statutory declarations, you can now have it commissioned online over video, without leaving home.

This guide walks through how the online process works, the most common uses, what to have ready, where a remotely commissioned declaration is accepted across Canada, and where a lawyer is the better call. If you already have your declaration drafted, you can book online or call (613) 434-5555. For the bigger picture of what an online notary can and cannot do across Canada, see our guide to online and virtual notary services.

Caption: A statutory declaration becomes valid when you solemnly declare it before an authorized official and sign in their presence — online, that presence is a live video call.

Key Takeaways

What a Notary Can and Cannot Do With a Statutory Declaration

What a notary can and cannot do: A notary public in Ontario can administer the solemn declaration, witness your signature, and commission the document. A notary does not draft the declaration's substance, advise whether it satisfies a legal requirement, or tell you what to declare. Deciding the content — and whether a declaration is even the right document — is yours, the receiving body's, or a lawyer's call.

The most common problem with statutory declarations is wording. The notary makes the declaration official; whether it says what the receiver requires is up to you. Many institutions provide the exact text — use theirs when they do. If the requirement is unclear or legally significant, confirm with the receiving body or a lawyer before you book.

Minute Notary commissions statutory declarations as an Ontario notary public, including by video under O. Reg. 431/20, made under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act.

How to Commission a Statutory Declaration Online — Step by Step

1. Have the declaration ready and unsigned. Use the receiver's wording where they provide it.
2. Book the service and a time. Choose statutory declarations when you book online. Slots run on Ottawa time (America/Toronto).
3. Join the video call. Use a laptop, tablet, or phone with camera and microphone in a quiet, well-lit room.
4. Verify your identity. Hold up valid government photo ID so the notary can confirm it matches you and the document.
5. Declare and sign. You solemnly declare the contents are true and sign while the notary watches.
6. The notary commissions it. The notary completes the declaration clause and applies their seal.
7. Pay and receive it. The flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST and any small fee are shown first; nothing is confirmed until payment succeeds.

Common Statutory Declarations Done Online

• Legal name change declarations and elections to change a child's name.
• Lost, stolen, or destroyed document declarations — including a lost passport statutory declaration.
• Common-law relationship declarations for IRCC sponsorship, insurance, or employee benefits — see the common-law statutory declaration for IRCC.
• Single status declarations to marry abroad.
• Proof of residency declarations (formatted as a declaration, not a certified copy of a bill).
• Correction-of-record and parentage declarations for vital statistics.
• Income, support, or OSAP declarations for students.

If your statement is meant as evidence in a court or tribunal, you may need an affidavit instead — the affidavit vs statutory declaration comparison clears this up quickly.

Available Online From Any Major City in Canada

The appointment is by video, so you can declare from anywhere in the country. Clients connect from every province and territory:

Acceptance is decided by the organization receiving the declaration, not by where you join the call:

• Federal and IRCC declarations are commonly accepted with an Ontario notary public's commission, from any city.
• Declarations for use in Ontario are squarely within an Ontario commissioner's authority.
• Declarations for another province's body may need a commissioner or notary in that province — confirm first.
• Quebec institutions often expect a Quebec notaire; federal documents are commonly accepted.

We confirm your declaration is a fit on the call before any fee applies, and nothing is charged until it is.

Statutory Declaration Scenarios Across Canada

• A Toronto resident declares a legal name change to update records after a personal decision.
• An Edmonton couple declares their common-law status for an employee-benefits plan.
• A Vancouver traveller declares single status so they can marry abroad.
• A Winnipeg student declares income details for an OSAP-style support application.
• An Ottawa newcomer declares a lost document so they can request a replacement.

The notary commissions the declaration; the wording and whether a declaration is the right document stay with you or the receiving body.

Online or In Person — How to Decide

How Identity Verification Works on the Call

Declaring online uses the same identity check as in person, done on camera. The notary will:

1. Ask you to hold your government photo ID to the camera so they can see your name, photo, and signature.
2. Confirm the name on your ID matches the declaration; bring proof if you have changed your name.
3. Check the ID is valid and unexpired — expired ID is generally not accepted in Ontario.
4. Confirm you understand you are solemnly declaring the contents are true.

A passport or driver's licence usually carries all the needed details; have a second piece of government ID ready in case your primary ID is missing one element.

What to Bring to Your Online Appointment

Booking note: A standard declaration covers one declarant and one document. If you have several declarations or unusual formatting, mention it when you book. Call (613) 434-5555 if you are unsure which service applies.

When to Call a Lawyer or Paralegal Instead

• You need help deciding what the declaration should say for a legal requirement.
• The declaration relates to a contested or court matter (you may need an affidavit, drafted with advice).
• An immigration file has a refusal or misrepresentation issue.
• The declaration carries significant legal or financial consequences you are unsure about.

A notary commissions the declaration; a lawyer advises on whether it does the job.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Signing before the appointment. Declare and sign in front of the notary.
• Using the wrong wording. When the receiver provides text, use it exactly.
• Confusing it with an affidavit. Court evidence usually needs an affidavit.
• Expired ID. Valid government photo ID is required on camera.
• Assuming national acceptance. Confirm with the receiving body across provinces or abroad.

Why People Declare Online

For most clients, the online route wins on time and reach. There is no travel, no parking, and no waiting room — you join from your kitchen table on a laptop or phone. For anyone outside a major centre, or without a notary nearby, it removes the biggest barrier entirely. It is also easier to coordinate when life is busy: a quiet fifteen minutes during a lunch break is enough, and same-day slots are often available when a deadline is close.

The trade-offs are honest ones. You need a working camera, a quiet space, and valid photo ID, and the document has to be one that the law allows to be commissioned remotely (statutory declarations qualify). If the organization receiving your declaration insists on an in-person commissioner, or your document is a certified copy of a paper original, an in-person appointment is the right call instead. For everything in between — the everyday statutory declaration that a bank, employer, or government office has asked for — declaring online is usually the fastest path to a finished, sealed document.

More Statutory Declarations We Commission Online

Beyond the common ones above, clients across Canada regularly use an online appointment for declarations such as:

• Change of address or residency declarations for banks and institutions.
• Declarations of identity confirming two names or spellings refer to the same person.
• Guardianship or care declarations for family and benefit purposes.
• Insurance and benefit declarations where a sworn statement of fact is required.
• Declarations of dependency or support for tax, benefit, or institutional purposes.
• Lost, stolen, or destroyed document declarations for replacements.

Each follows the same process: the receiver tells you what the declaration must say, you bring it unsigned, and the notary commissions it on the call. If you are unsure whether your situation needs a declaration or a different document, ask the receiving organization first, or describe it when you book and we will point you to the right service.

Pricing and Booking

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

Can I get a statutory declaration notarized online in Canada?

Yes. A statutory declaration can be declared and commissioned before an Ontario notary public over a secure video appointment under O. Reg. 431/20, made under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act. You join from anywhere in Canada, show valid government photo ID, solemnly declare the contents are true, and sign while the notary watches. Confirm the organization receiving it accepts a remotely commissioned declaration first.

What is a statutory declaration used for?

A statutory declaration is a solemn written statement of fact for administrative purposes outside court — legal name changes, declaring a lost or stolen document, common-law relationship status, single status to marry abroad, proof of residency, and many government and institutional forms. Unlike an affidavit, it is not primarily court evidence, but making a false declaration is still an offence.

What is the difference between a statutory declaration and an affidavit?

Both are sworn or solemnly affirmed statements of fact commissioned by a notary. An affidavit is used mainly as evidence in court or tribunal proceedings; a statutory declaration is used for administrative and institutional purposes. The notarization step is similar, but the wording and the use differ. If you are unsure which one the receiver needs, ask them directly.

Do I need to bring anything to declare it online?

You need a device with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, valid government photo ID, and the declaration itself, unsigned. You sign in front of the notary, so do not sign it beforehand. If the declaration refers to other documents, have them ready to show.

Will my statutory declaration be accepted across Canada?

A statutory declaration commissioned by an Ontario notary public is commonly accepted by federal bodies, IRCC, banks, and many institutions across Canada. Acceptance depends on the organization receiving it, not on where you join the call. For a declaration tied to another province's body, or destined for a foreign authority, confirm the specific requirement before you book.

How much does a statutory declaration cost online?

Minute Notary charges a flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST, the same online or in person, with no tiers. Online appointments add HST plus a small card processing fee, all shown before you pay, and nothing is confirmed until payment succeeds.

How long does an online statutory declaration take?

Most appointments take ten to twenty minutes once you are on the call and your ID is ready. The fastest path is to have the declaration finalized and unsigned, using the receiver's exact wording, with your ID in hand. If several declarations or declarants are involved, mention it when you book so the slot is the right length.

What if my name on my ID does not match the declaration?

Tell us before the appointment. The notary's job is to confirm your identity, so a name mismatch — after marriage, a legal name change, or a spelling difference — needs supporting proof, such as a marriage certificate or name-change document. With that proof on the call, the declaration can usually proceed; without it, the notary may have to stop.

Is the online declaration appointment secure and private?

The appointment runs over a secure video connection, and the notary keeps a record of the commissioning as required. Join from a private, quiet space, and share your screen and documents only with the notary. If your declaration concerns sensitive personal information, you can ask how your details are handled before the call.

Can a non-Canadian resident make a statutory declaration online?

Often, yes, for declarations used in Canada or for federal purposes — your immigration or residency status does not change the notary's role, which is to verify identity and commission the declaration. Bring a valid government photo ID (a passport works well). If the declaration is going to a foreign authority, confirm that authority's requirements first, since some need a wet-ink original or an apostille.

Final Recommendation

If you need a statutory declaration online in Canada, confirm it is a declaration (not an affidavit), use the receiver's exact wording where they give it, and check that the organization accepts a remotely commissioned document. Then book a video appointment, bring valid photo ID and your unsigned declaration, and have it commissioned in minutes. When the wording carries real legal weight and you are unsure, confirm with the receiver or a lawyer first.

Book Your Appointment

Need a statutory declaration online in Canada? Minute Notary commissions declarations by secure video — flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST.

• Book online: Request an appointment
• Call: (613) 434-5555
• Service page: Statutory Declarations
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Ottawa time)

Sources

• Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act (Ontario)
• O. Reg. 431/20: Administering Oath or Declaration Remotely (Ontario)
• Notaries Act (Ontario)
• ServiceOntario — Change your name