Affidavit Confirming Corporate Signing Authority

An Affidavit Verifying Corporate Signing Authority is a sworn statement in which an officer or director of a corporation declares under oath that they hold a specific corporate role and are authorised to execute documents on the corporation's behalf. The affidavit does not create signing authority; it confirms that authority already exists under the corporation's by-laws, articles of incorporation, or a board resolution.

Third parties rely on this document to verify that the person signing a contract, lease, or banking form actually has the legal power to bind the company. Without it, they have no way to confirm that a signature carries corporate authority rather than personal liability alone.

Banks, landlords, government registries, and commercial counterparties frequently require sworn proof of signing authority before they will accept a corporate signature. Common situations include the following.

The form collects the details a third party needs to confirm both your identity and your corporate role.

Come prepared with identification and any documents that support your claim of authority. The notary commissions the affidavit; they do not independently verify your corporate role, so accurate information is your responsibility.

The notary verifies your identity, administers an oath or affirmation, watches you sign the affidavit, and completes the jurat with their seal. A corporate seal on the affidavit is not required under the Ontario Business Corporations Act; the document is made valid by your sworn oath and the notary's jurat, not by a corporate stamp.

Virtual commissioning is available under Ontario Regulation 431/20, provided both you and the notary are physically located in Ontario during the session. Notarization at our office is a flat $19.90 per stamp.

There is no legislated expiry date. However, the requesting party (a bank, title insurer, or landlord) may set a freshness window, often 30 to 90 days. If your corporate role changes after the affidavit is sworn, the document no longer reflects reality and a new one should be prepared. Keep a copy in your corporate minute book for reference.

Swearing a false affidavit is perjury under section 131 of the Criminal Code of Canada, an indictable offence carrying up to 14 years' imprisonment. Beyond criminal penalties, any transaction that relied on the false statement can be voided, potentially exposing the corporation and the individual to civil liability as well.