Question 1

What documents do I need to have ready?

Accepted Answer

Please have a valid government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or Ontario photo card) and requested documents to be uploaded via our portal.

For mobile signing at your place, please have the original documents you need notarized ready for the visit. If you're signing on behalf of a company, have corporate documentation on hand as well.

Question 2

Do I need an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work by appointment so we can plan the online signing or come to you. Our online booking only takes a minute process; same-day slots are usually available most weekdays. We offer remote online signing as well as mobile in-person service across Ottawa, where the notary travels to your home or wherever you are. We do not offer signing at our office yet.

Question 3

How long does the notarization process take?

Accepted Answer

Most notarizations are completed in minutes once we begin. Certified copies and signature witnessing typically take 10-15 minutes; affidavits and statutory declarations take 15-20 minutes; complex multi-party signings may take 30-45 minutes.

Question 4

Do you offer rush or same-hour service?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when our calendar allows. Simply book online to check the available time slots and grab a same-hour spot. We do our best to fit urgent deadlines in at no extra charge — our flat $19.90 notary per-stamp rate applies regardless of urgency. For genuine emergencies (deadline today, document needs to be filed by close of business), we’ll always do our best to fit you in.

Question 5

Can children be present during notarization?

Accepted Answer

Yes — parents arranging travel-consent letters or family-related documents are welcome to have children present during the visit. The minor doesn’t typically sign anything (consent letters are signed by the non-traveling parent) but may need to be present for ID verification depending on the document.

Question 6

Do you offer remote or virtual notarization?

Accepted Answer

Yes — remote (virtual) commissioning is allowed in Ontario for most documents, so we can often handle your signing entirely online. We also offer mobile in-person service: we come to your home (or wherever you are) across Ottawa for documents that still require a wet-ink seal or an in-person appearance, which some IRCC, court, and international agencies prefer. We do not offer signing at our office yet. Book online with your document and deadline and we’ll confirm whether remote online works or whether mobile in-person is the faster route.

Question 7

Can you notarize a document for a family member?

Accepted Answer

We avoid notarizing anything where the notary has a personal stake, but you’re welcome to bring family members as clients. The line we don’t cross is a conflict of interest: the notary can’t be a party to the document or benefit from it. Relatives signing their own paperwork is completely fine, and a family member can come along to interpret as long as they aren’t named on the document.

Question 8

Does the website chat assistant save my conversation?

Accepted Answer

The chat assistant is a convenience tool for general questions about our services. Your conversation stays in your browser for the current session only — it clears when you close the chat or the browser tab, and it is not a formal record of your appointment. Anything about pricing, eligibility, or your booking is confirmed in the secure booking flow, not the chat, and the assistant cannot make binding offers or confirmations. Please don’t share sensitive ID numbers (such as your SIN or full passport number) in the chat.

Question 9

What is a Notary Public?

Accepted Answer

A Notary Public is a public officer appointed by the provincial government to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. In Ontario, Notaries Public are appointed under the Notaries Act by the Attorney General.

Question 10

Can my IRCC document be rejected if it’s notarized incorrectly?

Accepted Answer

Yes — IRCC and other Canadian agencies will reject documents that aren’t properly certified. The notary seal must be applied correctly, the certification statement must match what the receiving agency requires, and the original document must be presented at the notarization. We notarize hundreds of IRCC documents each year and know what each application stream requires. If you’re unsure what your application needs, bring the IRCC instructions with you and we’ll match the certification to them.

Question 11

Do you provide certified translations for IRCC?

Accepted Answer

We don’t translate documents ourselves, but we do notarize the translator’s affidavit (called a “Statement of Translator”) that IRCC requires when submitting non-English/French documents. You bring us the translated document plus the translator’s declaration; we verify the translator’s identity and notarize their affidavit. The fee is the same flat rate as any notarization ($19.90 per stamp + HST).

Question 12

What's the difference between a notarized copy and an apostille?

Accepted Answer

A notarized copy is a certification by an Ontario Notary Public that a copy matches the original — accepted by IRCC, Canadian agencies, and many international institutions. An apostille (or, in Canada, "authentication and legalization") is an additional government-level certification required by some countries that have signed the Hague Convention. We can notarize the document, then advise you on whether an apostille is needed and how to obtain one through Global Affairs Canada.

Question 13

Can you notarize documents for use outside Canada?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can notarize documents for international use. However, some countries may require additional authentication (apostille / Global Affairs Canada legalization). Please let us know the destination country so we can advise on any additional requirements before your appointment.

Question 14

What's the difference between a notary public and a commissioner of oaths?

Accepted Answer

Both can administer oaths and witness affidavits, but a Notary Public can do more. A commissioner of oaths is limited to taking affidavits and statutory declarations, while a Notary Public can also certify true copies of documents, witness signatures on contracts and deeds, and notarize paperwork meant for use outside Ontario. If you need a certified copy of a passport or a document headed overseas, you need a notary — and that’s exactly what we do here.

Question 15

Can you refuse to notarize my document?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and sometimes we have to. We can’t proceed if we’re unable to verify your identity, if the document looks incomplete or altered, if you don’t appear to understand what you’re signing, or if it seems like you’re being pressured. It isn’t personal — that safeguard is what makes a notarization mean something. If we can’t go ahead, we’ll explain why and tell you what to fix so you can come back.

Question 16

Can you give me legal advice about my document?

Accepted Answer

No — and that’s true of every notary in Ontario. We verify your identity, witness your signature, and apply the seal, but we can’t tell you whether a document is right for your situation, draft it for you, or advise on legal strategy. For that you’ll want a lawyer, or for immigration matters a licensed RCIC. Once you know the document is the one you need, we’re glad to notarize it.

Question 17

What happens if I lose my notarized document?

Accepted Answer

A notarization can’t simply be re-printed — the seal applies to that one signed original. If you lose it, bring a fresh copy of the document and we’ll notarize it again (our flat $19.90 per stamp + HST still applies). We keep a record of the notarial acts we perform, so we can confirm a notarization took place, but that record isn’t a replacement for the document itself. Our tip: scan or photograph notarized documents before you submit them.

Question 18

Does an Ontario notary need a seal or stamp?

Accepted Answer

Ontario doesn’t legally require an embossed seal for a notarization to be valid — under provincial rules the notary’s signature and details can be enough. In practice, though, most agencies, courts, and especially foreign and IRCC offices expect to see a stamp or seal, so we apply one as standard. If your receiving agency wants a specific format, bring their instructions and we’ll match them.

Question 19

Can you help with a letter of invitation for visitors to Canada?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we can witness your signature and notarize a letter of invitation for family or friends applying to visit Canada. We confirm your identity and witness the signing, but we can’t draft the letter or advise on the visa application itself; that’s for you or an immigration professional. Bring the finished letter and your photo ID and we’ll notarize it at the usual flat rate.

Question 20

Can I bring a friend or family member to translate during the appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if you’re not comfortable in English, you’re welcome to bring an interpreter. The interpreter cannot be a party to the document being notarized, but a family member or friend who isn’t named on the document is fine. For sworn statements (affidavits, statutory declarations), the interpreter may need to also sign a translator’s declaration; we’ll handle that during the appointment.

Question 21

Do you offer mobile notary services?

Accepted Answer

Yes — mobile signing at your home is how we work right now. We come to you across Ottawa (homes, hospitals, retirement residences, real-estate closings, after-hours). We do not offer in-person signing at our office yet. The price is the same flat notary rate ($19.90 per stamp/seal) plus a flat $50 mobile fee, plus HST. Book online or call — same-day mobile slots are sometimes available.

Question 22

How much do notary services cost?

Accepted Answer

Our pricing is simple and flat: $19.90 for the first notary stamp/seal and $19.90 for each additional stamp, plus HST. The same rate applies to every service — affidavits, declarations, certified copies, travel letters, and more. No rush fees, no complex-document surcharges. HST applies to all services in Ontario.

Question 23

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept cash, debit, and major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard). E-transfer is also available for appointments booked in advance. Payment is due at the time of service.

Ottawa notary, answered without the legalese.

Appointments and what to bring

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Fees, HST, and how to pay

Notary work and certifications

Notary visits across Ottawa

Interpreters and language support