Remote Online Notarization in Ontario: 2026 Guide

The way notary services are delivered has changed permanently in Ontario. You no longer have to take time off work, sit in traffic, and visit an office to swear an affidavit or a statutory declaration. Since 2020, Ontario has permitted these documents to be commissioned remotely over video — and what began as an emergency measure is now permanent law.

This guide explains exactly what can be notarized online in Ontario in 2026, what still requires an in-person visit and why, and how a virtual appointment with Minute Notary works.

What Is Remote Online Notarization?

Remote online notarization (sometimes called virtual commissioning) is a process where:

1. You and the notary connect over a live, two-way video call
2. The notary verifies your identity on screen
3. You sign the document electronically while the notary watches
4. The notary applies an electronic signature and digital seal
5. You receive the completed, sealed document digitally

No printing, mailing, or in-person visit is needed for the document types that qualify. The signed and sealed file is ready to submit the moment the appointment ends.

The Legal Basis in Ontario (and Why It's Permanent)

Two separate pieces of Ontario law make virtual notary work possible, and both are now permanent — not temporary pandemic measures.

Affidavits and statutory declarations — O. Reg. 431/20

Under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, O. Reg. 431/20 permanently allows a commissioner or notary public to administer an oath, affirmation, or declaration by audio-visual communication technology — you and the notary do not have to be in the same room. Paired with electronic signatures and a digital seal, this means affidavits and statutory declarations can be commissioned fully online and fully digitally.

This is the regulation that powers Minute Notary's own virtual notary service.

Wills and powers of attorney — Bill 245

Ontario also permanently allows the virtual witnessing of wills and powers of attorney, through changes to the Succession Law Reform Act and the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 made by Bill 245 (the Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021). There is one important condition: at least one of the two witnesses must be a licensed Ontario lawyer or paralegal.

Because we are a notary-only public service and do not provide a lawyer or paralegal witness, we do not offer wills or powers of attorney online — we handle those in person. More on that below.

The short version: Remote commissioning of affidavits and statutory declarations is permanent, fully digital, and does not require mailing paper. Virtual witnessing of wills and POAs is also permanent, but the lawyer/paralegal witness rule means a notary-only service handles them in person.

What You Can Notarize Online With Us

These document types qualify for a fully online appointment under O. Reg. 431/20:

For a digital certified copy, you download the native PDF live from the issuing portal (your bank, the CRA, IRCC, your school) while sharing your screen, so the notary can verify the file is genuine before certifying it.

What Still Requires an In-Person Visit

Some documents cannot be completed online — not because the technology isn't ready, but because the law or the receiving authority requires physical presence.

Wills and powers of attorney

As explained above, Ontario law lets these be witnessed virtually only when a licensed lawyer or paralegal is one of the witnesses. A notary public on its own cannot satisfy that requirement, so we book wills and powers of attorney as in-person or mobile appointments. This protects the validity of the document and the people relying on it.

Certified true copies of paper documents

To certify that a copy matches an original, the notary has to hold and examine the physical original. That can't happen over video, so certified true copies of paper documents stay in person. (If your document was issued electronically, a digital certified copy can be done online instead.)

Documents for international use

When a document is headed to a foreign government — often with apostille or authentication — the receiving authority may insist on a physical, wet-ink seal. Always confirm the destination country's requirements before assuming a remote seal will be accepted.

How a Virtual Appointment Works

A typical online commissioning appointment with Minute Notary takes about 15 minutes:

1. Book online and select the online appointment option for your document.
2. Join the secure video call at your scheduled time from a laptop or phone with a camera.
3. Verify your identity by showing a valid government-issued photo ID on camera.
4. Review and sign the document electronically while the notary observes.
5. Receive your sealed document — the notary applies the electronic signature and digital seal, and you get the completed file.

What you'll need

• A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
• A device with a working camera and microphone
• A stable internet connection in a quiet, well-lit space
• Your document ready (unsigned — you sign during the call)

Identity Verification and Security

Verifying who you are is the core of any notarization, and it works just as rigorously over video:

• Live ID check: you present your government photo ID on camera so the notary can compare it to you in real time.
• Two-way video: the notary must be able to see and hear you clearly throughout, as the regulation requires.
• Tamper-evident sealing: the digital seal and electronic signature are applied so that any later alteration is detectable.

If anything prevents the notary from confirming your identity or witnessing your signature properly, the appointment cannot be completed — the same standard that applies in person.

Will My Document Be Accepted?

Remotely commissioned affidavits and statutory declarations are widely accepted by Ontario courts, ServiceOntario, IRCC, and most institutions. That said:

• Confirm with the receiving party if you have any doubt, especially for documents going to another country.
• Some foreign authorities still require a physical wet-ink seal — in that case, book an in-person appointment.
• Specialized filings (for example, certain land registry documents) may have their own rules; ask us if you're unsure.

When in doubt, a quick check with the organization that will receive your document saves time and avoids a rejected submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a document notarized online in Ontario?

Yes, for many documents. Ontario permanently allows oaths, affidavits, and statutory declarations to be administered remotely by two-way video under O. Reg. 431/20. Combined with electronic signatures and a digital seal, documents like affidavits, statutory declarations, and travel consent letters can be completed entirely online — no mailing of paper required.

Which documents still have to be done in person?

Wills and powers of attorney (virtual witnessing requires a licensed lawyer or paralegal witness, which a notary-only service does not provide), certified true copies of paper originals (the notary must inspect the physical original), and documents for international use that a foreign authority requires to carry a physical, wet-ink seal.

Is remote commissioning in Ontario temporary or permanent?

It is permanent. The emergency measures introduced in 2020 were made permanent — O. Reg. 431/20 under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act allows remote commissioning of affidavits and statutory declarations on an ongoing basis, and Bill 245 made virtual witnessing of wills and powers of attorney permanent as well.

Do documents need to be mailed for a physical signature?

No. A remotely commissioned affidavit or statutory declaration is signed electronically and sealed digitally during the video appointment. There is no requirement to mail paper for a wet-ink signature. The exception is documents a foreign authority insists must carry a physical seal.

Will the receiving organization accept a remotely commissioned document?

Most Canadian courts, government agencies, and institutions accept remotely commissioned affidavits and statutory declarations. Some foreign authorities and a small number of recipients still ask for a wet-ink original, so it is always worth confirming with the receiving party before your appointment.

Related Services

Minute Notary offers both online and in-person notarization across the Ottawa area:

• Online & Virtual Notary: Affidavits and statutory declarations commissioned over secure video
• Digital Certified Copies: Certify documents that were issued electronically
• Affidavits: Sworn written statements for legal and administrative use
• Statutory Declarations: Sworn statements of fact
• Certified Copies: In-person certification of paper originals
• Power of Attorney: Witnessed in person under Ontario law
• Mobile & In-Home Notary: A notary who travels to you

This article reflects the state of remote and online notarization in Ontario as of 2026. Regulations and the requirements of receiving organizations can change. Always confirm current requirements with a qualified notary and with the party that will receive your document.

Related Articles

• What is a Notary Public in Ontario?
• How to Prepare for Your Notary Appointment
• 7 Common Notary Mistakes That Can Delay Your Application