Oaths and Affirmations Online in Canada — Sworn by Video, Any City
Take an oath or affirmation online in Canada before a notary public by secure video. Oath vs. affirmation, when each is needed, what to bring, flat $19.90.
Last updated: June 23, 2026
Oaths and Affirmations Online in Canada — Sworn by Video, Any City
Quick answer: You can take an oath or a solemn affirmation online in Canada before an Ontario notary public over a secure video appointment. You show valid government photo ID, then swear (a religious promise) or affirm (a non-religious one — same legal effect) on camera, and the notary administers it and applies their commission. It runs under Ontario's O. Reg. 431/20, costs a flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST, and is available to clients from Toronto to Calgary to Halifax. Confirm the receiving body accepts a remotely administered oath before you book.
An oath or affirmation is the formal moment you promise that what you are stating is true. It is the step that turns a written statement into a sworn affidavit or a solemn statutory declaration, and it is sometimes required on its own — an oath of office, a professional oath. For most purposes, this can now be done online over video, without an office visit.
This guide explains the difference between an oath and an affirmation, when each is needed, how the online appointment works, and what to have ready. If you already know what you need sworn, 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.
Key Takeaways
| Decision point | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Oath vs. affirmation | Religious oath or non-religious affirmation | Both have the same legal effect; you choose. |
| Why it's needed | Affidavit, declaration, oath of office | The oath validates the sworn statement. |
| Identification | Valid government photo ID, name match | Required on camera every time. |
| Document | The statement the oath relates to, unsigned | You sign in front of the notary. |
| 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 in Ontario can administer your oath or affirmation, witness your signature, and commission the document. A notary does not decide whether you should swear, what the statement should say, or whether it satisfies a legal requirement. Those questions belong to the receiving body or a lawyer.
The notary's job is to administer the oath properly and record it. Whether an oath is the right step, and what the underlying document says, is your responsibility or your lawyer's. For the close cousins of this role, see notary public vs commissioner of oaths in Ontario.
Minute Notary administers oaths and affirmations as an Ontario notary public, including by video under O. Reg. 431/20.
Oath or Affirmation — Which Do You Choose?
You may choose either, for any reason or none. They carry identical legal weight.
| Oath | Affirmation | |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Religious promise to tell the truth | Non-religious solemn promise |
| How it's made | Often on a holy book or by raising your hand | By a spoken solemn declaration |
| Legal effect | Full | Full — identical to an oath |
| Who chooses | You do | You do |
No one will ask why you chose one over the other. The notary offers both at the start of the appointment.
How an Online Oath Appointment Works — Step by Step
- Have the document ready and unsigned. The oath relates to a statement — keep it unsigned until the call.
- Book the service and a time. Choose oaths and affirmations when you book online. Slots run on Ottawa time (America/Toronto).
- Join the video call. Use a device with a working camera and microphone in a quiet room.
- Verify identity. Hold up valid government photo ID.
- Swear or affirm on camera. You make the oath or affirmation out loud, then sign while the notary watches.
- The notary administers and records it. The notary completes the jurat or declaration clause and applies their seal.
- Pay and receive the document. The flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST and any small fee are shown first; nothing is confirmed until payment succeeds.
Available Online From Any Major City in Canada
Because the appointment is by video, you can swear or affirm from anywhere in the country. Clients connect from every province and territory:
| Province / Territory | Major cities clients book from |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, London, Markham, Vaughan, Kitchener–Waterloo, Windsor, Oshawa, Barrie, Kingston, Guelph, Sudbury, Thunder Bay |
| Quebec | Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Longueuil, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières |
| British Columbia | Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Victoria, Kelowna, Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Kamloops |
| Alberta | Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Fort McMurray, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie |
| Manitoba | Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw |
| Nova Scotia | Halifax, Dartmouth, Sydney |
| New Brunswick | Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | St. John's, Mount Pearl, Corner Brook |
| Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown, Summerside |
| Territories | Whitehorse (YT), Yellowknife (NT), Iqaluit (NU) |
Acceptance depends on the body receiving the document, not on where you join the call:
- Oaths for federal and IRCC purposes are commonly accepted with an Ontario notary public's commission, from any city.
- Documents for use in Ontario are squarely within an Ontario commissioner's authority.
- Documents 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 document is a fit on the call before any fee applies, and nothing is charged until it is.
Oath and Affirmation Scenarios Across Canada
- A Toronto professional affirms a regulatory-college declaration as part of registration.
- A Calgary applicant swears an oath attached to a federal form.
- A Vancouver resident affirms (rather than swears) a statutory declaration for personal reasons.
- An Ottawa newcomer swears an oath supporting an IRCC submission.
The notary administers the oath or affirmation; whether one is required, and what the underlying statement says, stays with the receiving body or your lawyer.
Oath vs. Affirmation — A Closer Look
People sometimes worry they will be judged for choosing an affirmation, or that it is somehow weaker. It is not. Ontario law treats a solemn affirmation as fully equivalent to an oath. You may affirm for any reason — religious, personal, or simply preference — and you do not have to explain. Here is how the choice plays out on the call:
| If you choose an oath | If you choose an affirmation | |
|---|---|---|
| What the notary says | Asks you to swear, often with a raised hand or on a holy book | Asks you to solemnly affirm |
| What you say | "I swear that the contents of this document are true" | "I solemnly affirm that the contents of this document are true" |
| Legal weight | Full | Identical to an oath |
| Penalty for a false statement | The same | The same |
How Identity Verification Works on the Call
Swearing or affirming online uses the same identity check as in person, on camera. The notary will:
- Ask you to hold your government photo ID to the camera so your name, photo, and signature are visible.
- Confirm the name on the ID matches the document; ask for proof where a name has changed.
- Check the ID is valid and unexpired — expired ID is generally not accepted in Ontario.
- Confirm you understand the oath or affirmation you are about to make.
Have a second piece of government ID ready in case your primary ID is missing a detail.
What to Bring to Your Online Appointment
| Item | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| The document the oath relates to, unsigned | You swear and sign in front of the notary. |
| Valid government photo ID | Required on camera. |
| A second piece of ID when possible | Some receivers want stronger identity proof. |
| A device with camera and microphone | The appointment is a live video session. |
| A payment method | The flat fee plus HST is taken before release. |
Booking note: Most oaths take only a few minutes. If you have several documents, 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 are unsure whether an oath is the right step for your situation.
- The underlying statement supports a court or contested matter.
- The document carries significant legal consequences you do not understand.
A notary administers the oath; a lawyer advises on whether and what to swear.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing before the appointment. Swear and sign in front of the notary.
- Assuming an affirmation is weaker. It has the same legal effect as an oath.
- Expired ID. Valid government photo ID is required on camera.
- Assuming national acceptance. Confirm with the receiving body across provinces or abroad.
- Booking the wrong professional. Some documents need a notary public's seal, not just a commissioner — read the form's instructions or ask the receiver if you are unsure.
- No quiet, private space. The notary must clearly see and hear you administer the oath, so join from somewhere calm and well lit.
Where Oaths and Affirmations Come Up
Most people do not set out to "take an oath" — they are filling in a form or a document that, in the fine print, must be sworn or affirmed before a commissioner or notary. The oath is the step that gives the statement legal force. It comes up in situations such as:
- Affidavits, where you swear that the contents are true as evidence.
- Statutory declarations, where you solemnly declare a fact for an administrative purpose.
- Oaths of office for a board, association, or appointment that requires one.
- Professional and regulatory declarations for a college or licensing body.
- Government and institutional forms that include a sworn or affirmed section.
In each case the underlying document is yours; the oath or affirmation is the moment the notary administers, and then records, your promise that it is true.
Notary Public or Commissioner — Who Administers the Oath?
In Ontario, both a notary public and a commissioner for taking affidavits can administer oaths and affirmations and commission affidavits and statutory declarations. A notary public has broader powers — including certifying true copies and applying a notarial seal that is recognized outside Ontario — while a commissioner's role is focused on administering oaths and taking affidavits and declarations. For many everyday documents either is sufficient; when a receiving body specifically asks for a "notarized" document or a notarial seal, a notary public is the right choice. If you are not sure which your document needs, the safest step is to read the form's instructions or ask the receiver. For a fuller comparison, see notary public vs commissioner of oaths in Ontario.
Why Take the Oath Online
The online route removes travel and waiting, lets you join from any city, and is easy to fit into a busy day — often with same-day slots. The trade-offs are the usual ones: you need a working camera, a quiet space, and valid photo ID, and the document must be one that can be commissioned remotely. For the everyday sworn or affirmed document, an online appointment is usually the fastest way to get it administered and sealed.
Pricing and Booking
| Service | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Oath or affirmation | $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 oaths and affirmations when you book online, or call (613) 434-5555.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take an oath or affirmation online in Canada?
Yes. An Ontario notary public can administer an oath or a solemn affirmation 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, and swear or affirm on camera while the notary administers it and applies their commission. Confirm the receiving body accepts a remotely administered oath before booking.
What is the difference between an oath and an affirmation?
An oath is a religious promise to tell the truth, often made on a holy book. An affirmation is a non-religious solemn promise with exactly the same legal effect. You may choose either — no reason is required, and neither is treated as stronger than the other. The notary will offer both.
When do I need to swear an oath before a notary?
An oath or affirmation is required whenever you swear an affidavit, declare a statutory declaration, or take an oath of office or a professional oath that calls for a notary or commissioner. The oath is the moment you formally promise the contents are true; the notary administers it and records it in the document.
What do I need for an online oath appointment?
A device with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, valid government photo ID, and the document the oath relates to, unsigned. You swear or affirm on camera and sign in front of the notary, so do not sign beforehand.
How much does an oath or affirmation 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, shown in full before you pay, and nothing is confirmed until payment succeeds.
How long does an online oath appointment take?
An oath or affirmation itself takes only a minute or two; the appointment runs about ten to fifteen minutes once your ID is ready and the document is open. If you have several documents to swear, mention it when you book so the slot is the right length.
Do I need a holy book to swear an oath online?
No. If you choose to swear an oath, you may do so on a holy book of your faith if you wish, or simply by raising your hand — and you can choose a solemn affirmation instead, which needs no religious element at all and has the same legal effect. The notary will offer both and follow your preference.
Is the online oath appointment secure and private?
The appointment runs over a secure video connection, and the notary keeps a record of the act as required. Join from a private, quiet space, and share documents only with the notary. If your matter is sensitive, you can ask how your information is handled before the call.
Can a newcomer or non-citizen take an oath online?
Yes. Your citizenship or immigration status does not change the notary's role, which is to verify your identity and administer the oath or affirmation. Bring a valid government photo ID — a passport works well. If the document is going to a foreign authority, confirm that authority's requirements first.
Can I do an oath and the underlying affidavit in the same online appointment?
Yes. In practice the oath and the document go together — you swear or affirm the affidavit or declaration and sign it in the same short appointment, and the notary records the oath in the jurat or declaration clause. There is no separate booking for "the oath" and "the document." If you have several documents to swear, mention it when you book so the slot is the right length.
Is an oath administered online valid?
Yes, for the documents it covers. Ontario's O. Reg. 431/20 authorizes administering an oath or declaration by real-time audio-visual technology, provided the conditions — including identity verification and a live two-way connection — are met. The resulting affidavit or declaration is commissioned the same as in person. As always, confirm the body receiving your document accepts a remotely commissioned document.
Final Recommendation
If you need to take an oath or affirmation online in Canada, choose whichever form you are comfortable with — they are legally identical — and confirm the receiving body accepts a remotely administered oath. Then book a video appointment, bring valid photo ID and your unsigned document, and swear it in minutes. If you are not sure an oath is the right step, ask the receiver or a lawyer first.
Book Your Appointment
Need to take an oath or affirmation online in Canada? Minute Notary administers oaths and affirmations by secure video — flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST.
- Book online: Request an appointment
- Call: (613) 434-5555
- Service page: Oaths & Affirmations
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Ottawa time)
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