PR Card Statutory Declaration: Notarize Online in Canada for IRCC
Need a statutory declaration for a Permanent Resident (PR) card application? Commission it online by video with an Ontario notary. How it works, flat $19.90.
Last updated: June 23, 2026
PR Card Statutory Declaration: Notarize Online in Canada for IRCC
Quick answer: If a Permanent Resident (PR) card application or renewal calls for a statutory declaration — to explain a lost or stolen card, address a missing document, or declare a required fact — you can commission it online before an Ontario notary public by secure video. Show valid photo ID, declare the contents are true, and sign while the notary watches. Because IRCC is federal, an Ontario notary's commission is commonly accepted, and it costs a flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST. Always follow your IRCC instructions for what the declaration must say.
A PR card matters for travel and proof of status, so anything that holds up the application is stressful. When IRCC asks for a statutory declaration as part of a PR card file, a notary can commission it quickly — and you can do it online over video from anywhere in Canada.
This short guide explains when the declaration is needed, how to commission it online, and what to bring. If your declaration is drafted, you can book online or call (613) 434-5555. For the bigger picture, see our guide to online and virtual notary services and our immigration documents guide.
Key Takeaways
| Decision point | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| IRCC requirement | What your instructions ask the declaration to state | A declaration that doesn't match is rejected. |
| Document type | Statutory/solemn declaration vs. another document | Make sure a declaration is what IRCC wants. |
| Identification | Valid government photo ID (passport preferred) | Required on camera; should match the application. |
| Where it's used | IRCC (federal) | An Ontario notary's commission is commonly accepted. |
| 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 commissions your statutory declaration and witnesses your signature. A notary does not advise on your PR status, decide whether you qualify for renewal, or tell you how to respond to IRCC. Immigration advice is the role of an immigration lawyer or a regulated immigration consultant (RCIC).
Minute Notary commissions statutory declarations as an Ontario notary public, including by video under O. Reg. 431/20.
When a PR Card File Needs a Declaration
IRCC sets its own requirements, and a statutory or solemn declaration is sometimes part of a PR card application or renewal — for instance to explain a card that was lost or stolen, to address a document you cannot provide, or to declare facts the application asks for. Read your IRCC instruction guide carefully and use its wording. If you are unsure whether a declaration is the right document or what it should say, ask IRCC or an immigration professional before you book — the notary makes it official but cannot advise on the application.
How to Commission the Declaration Online — Step by Step
- Prepare the declaration, unsigned, using the wording your IRCC instructions require.
- Book the service and a time. Choose immigration documents when you book online. Slots run on Ottawa time (America/Toronto).
- Join the video call and verify identity. Hold up valid government photo ID — passport preferred for an immigration file.
- Declare and sign. Declare the contents are true and sign while the notary watches.
- The notary commissions it. The notary completes the declaration clause and applies their seal.
- Submit with your PR card application.
What to Bring to Your Online Appointment
| Item | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| The declaration, unsigned | You declare and sign in front of the notary. |
| Your IRCC instructions | So the wording matches what IRCC requires. |
| Valid government photo ID (passport preferred) | Required on camera; should match the application. |
| A payment method | The flat fee plus HST is taken before release. |
Booking note: If your name appears differently across documents, bring proof of the connection (for example a marriage or name-change document). Call (613) 434-5555 if you are unsure which service applies.
Available Online From Across Canada
Because IRCC is federal and the appointment is by video, you can join from anywhere in Canada — Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Halifax, or a smaller community — and an Ontario notary's commission is commonly accepted for the federal file. If any part of your application is going to a foreign authority, confirm that authority's requirements separately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not matching the IRCC instructions. Use the exact wording and document type IRCC asks for.
- Signing before the appointment. Declare and sign in front of the notary.
- Using ID that doesn't match the application. Name and details should match; passport is usually best.
- Expecting immigration advice from the notary. That is a lawyer or RCIC's role.
Common Situations Where a Declaration Helps
IRCC sets the requirements, but a statutory declaration on a PR card file most often supports situations like these:
- A PR card was lost, stolen, or destroyed, and you need to declare the circumstances.
- A required document is unavailable, and you must declare why and attest to the facts.
- You need to declare an address, residency, or identity detail the application asks you to confirm.
- A name or detail differs across documents and you must declare they refer to you.
In each case you describe facts you know to be true; the notary commissions your declaration so IRCC accepts it as sworn.
Online or In Person — How to Decide
| Your situation | Best channel | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You have valid photo ID and the declaration is ready | Online by video | Commissioned under O. Reg. 431/20; IRCC accepts it. |
| Your PR card is lost or expired | Online by video | Use another valid government photo ID — tell us when you book. |
| The document is going to a foreign authority | Confirm first | Some foreign bodies need a wet-ink original or apostille. |
| No working camera or quiet space | In person | The notary must see and hear you clearly. |
Why Commission the Declaration Online
Anything that delays a PR card is stressful, especially if you have travel coming up. The online route removes a trip and a wait — you join a short video call from home, declare the statement, and sign while the notary watches. Same-day slots are often available when a deadline is close, and because IRCC is federal, an Ontario notary's commission is accepted from any city in Canada. The trade-offs: you need a working camera, a quiet space, valid photo ID, and a declaration that uses IRCC's required wording.
A Quick Scenario
A permanent resident in Calgary discovers their PR card was lost just before a trip. IRCC's instructions call for a declaration of the circumstances. They draft the declaration using IRCC's wording, join a fifteen-minute video appointment, show their passport, declare the facts are true, and sign while the notary watches. The notary commissions it, and they submit it with the replacement application — without finding a notary's office in a new city.
Pricing and Booking
| Service | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| PR card statutory 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 immigration documents when you book online, or call (613) 434-5555.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a PR card application need a statutory declaration?
IRCC may ask for a solemn or statutory declaration to support a Permanent Resident card application or renewal in certain situations — for example to explain a lost or stolen card, to address missing documents, or to declare facts the application requires. Read your IRCC instructions to see exactly what is asked. The notary commissions the declaration; IRCC sets what it must contain.
Can I notarize a PR card statutory declaration online?
Yes. Because IRCC is a federal body, a statutory declaration commissioned by an Ontario notary public is commonly accepted, and it can be commissioned over a secure video appointment under O. Reg. 431/20. You join from anywhere in Canada, show valid government photo ID, declare the contents are true, and sign while the notary watches.
What ID should I use?
Use a valid government photo ID — for an immigration file, your passport or PR card is usually best, and matching the name and details on your application matters. If your card is lost or expired, bring another valid government photo ID and tell us when you book so we can confirm what works.
What do I need for the appointment?
A device with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, valid government photo ID, your IRCC instructions, and the declaration itself, unsigned. 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.
How long does the appointment take?
About ten to fifteen minutes once your declaration is ready and your ID is in hand. Using IRCC's required wording and having your passport ready is the fastest path. If your name appears differently across documents, bring proof of the connection so the notary can address it on the call.
Can a notary help me decide what my declaration should say?
No. The notary commissions the declaration and verifies your identity, but cannot advise on your PR status, draft the content, or tell you how to respond to IRCC. For that, speak to an immigration lawyer or a regulated immigration consultant (RCIC). Use the wording IRCC's instructions provide.
Is the online appointment secure and private?
The appointment runs over a secure video connection, and the notary keeps a record of the act as required. Immigration files contain sensitive personal information, so join from a private space and share documents only with the notary.
Final Recommendation
If your PR card application or renewal calls for a statutory declaration, start with your IRCC instructions and use their exact wording. Then commission it online in a short video appointment, with your passport ready as ID. Because IRCC is federal, an Ontario notary's commission is accepted from any city in Canada. For advice on the application itself — eligibility, what to submit, how to respond to IRCC — speak to an immigration lawyer or RCIC, not the notary.
Book Your Appointment
Need a PR card statutory declaration commissioned for IRCC? 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: Immigration Documents
- Related guide: Notarize immigration documents online
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Ottawa time)
Sources
Related notary services
