Commissioning of Oaths Services
The Clerk's Division provides Commissioning of Oaths services at the Administration office (100 Dissette St., Units 7&8). Several staff members are certified commissioners and no appointment is required; however you may wish to call ahead to ensure someone will be available. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, except on statutory holidays.
| Common Documents that Require a Commission of Oath |
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The fee for Commissioning of Oaths is $30. Please note, there is no fee for witnessing of pension forms is provided at no charge to the pensioner.
Oaths, affirmations, or declarations have to be commissioned in person. A deponent must take an oath or solemn declaration in front of a person who is qualified to take oaths, and they must witness the deponent signing the document. An oath or solemn declaration cannot be made over the telephone.
The Clerk's Division staff cannot act as a Guarantor on the applications for official travel documents (e.g. passport) unless you have known one of the staff members for the required period of time. It is recommended that Letters of Consent for children's travel be Notarized rather than Commissioned.
Notary Services
Notary services are provided at the Administration Office. Appointments are required and can be made by phone to 905-775-5366 ext.1100.
Documents can be notarized for a fee of $30.
| Common Documents that Require a Notary Public |
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| What is the difference between a Notary and a Commissioner of Oaths? |
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A commissioner for taking affidavits (also called a Commissioner of Oaths) only has authority to administer oaths and take affidavits. A notary public has much broader authority. A notary public can “notarize” copies of documents (verify as a true copy).
Barristers and solicitors (lawyers) in Ontario are automatically commissioners for taking affidavits. They also have the automatic right to be notary publics; however, in order to exercise the notary public function they must apply for and obtain a notary public seal. |
| What is a Consent Letter to Travel? |
| The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade recommends that if a person younger than 18 is travelling alone or with only one parent or another adult, they have their parents' consent for such travel.
A notarized letter of consent to travel is proof of such consent.
A notary public can or notarize this consent document for you. The consent document should be drafted according to the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's recommended specifications.
The parent(s) granting consent must attend the notary public's office with valid photo identification.
Please note that other documents may be required in addition to notarized consent documents. Visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's website before you travel to ensure that you have all of your necessary documentation |
| What is a Letter of Invitation? |
| A letter of invitation is where a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada ‘invites' a person who is outside of Canada and wishes to enter Canada on a Temporary Resident Visa. A letter of invitation may be required by a person applying for a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada. Some visa offices may require that the letter of invitation be notarized by a notary public.
The letter of invitation must include particular information about both the person inviting the person to Canada and the person being invited.
Once you have the letter of invitation and, if necessary, had it notarized, you must send it to the person you are inviting to Canada. They will then have to submit the letter of invitation to the Canadian Embassy or Consulate outside of Canada when they apply for their Temporary Resident Visa.
A letter of invitation does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. |
Certified Copies
A certified copy is a photocopy of an original document (such as a passport or birth certificate) with an endorsement from the Clerk's office to say that it is a true copy of the primary document. It does not certify that the original document is genuine, only that it is a true copy of the original document.
The original document must be provided in order to certify a copy as true original.
The Clerk and Deputy Clerk may certify other documents as "true copies" of the originals, but there is no guarantee that such certification will be accepted.
Certified copies can be made for a fee of $5.
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