What Are the Advantages of Remote Online Notary Services?

Key Takeaways

• The Law Society of Ontario permits online commissioning, thus opening the door for people to meet with a notary via video call to electronically sign and commission documents.
• Under Ontario’s Electronic Commerce Act, 2000, electronic signatures are legally valid, and notary signatures completed digitally are recognized in Canada and other countries.
• Digital signing platforms often come with encrypted record-keeping and a chain of custody to provide greater security and privacy compared to conventional notarization.
• Various documents are eligible for online signing, including affidavits, statutory declarations, government forms, travel letters, insurance claims, and more.
• Certified true copies, Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Separation/Divorce agreements must still be notarized during in-person appointments.

In Ontario, the Electronic Commerce Act, 2000 permits electronic signatures and notary public signatures are recognized as valid across Canada and around the world.

Digital signing platforms also allow for a more secure process than traditional pen and paper signatures. They may include an encrypted chain of custody record-keeping log — keeping the integrity and legitimacy of your document, as well as your privacy.

The following documents can now be virtually commissioned and electronically signed online:

• Service Ontario / Ministry of Finance documents (including Sworn Statement for the Transfer of a Used Vehicle in the Province of Ontario and Sworn Statement for a Family Gift of a Used Vehicle in the Province of Ontario forms 
• Affidavits (any type) including OSAP affidavits 
• Statutory declarations (including CCDC 9A & 9B
• Recommended consent letters for children traveling abroad (commonly referred to as travel consent letters);
• Delayed birth registration forms;
• Applications to amend birth registration;
• Declarations affirming parentage;
• Elections to change of name of child under the age of 12;
• Statutory declarations by an applicant to correct an error in registration;
• Legal name change applications;
• Common statutory declarations;
• Insurance claims;
• Common law status affidavits;
• Special invitations to family members overseas;
• Passport applications (in lieu of guarantor);
• Pension purpose attestations of recipient being alive and confirming their residency;
• Residency documents;
• Lost passports;
• Single status certificates;
• Federal government permanent residency card applications;
• Municipal information forms (MIF) for liquor license;
• Affidavits waiving vaccinations based on religious grounds;
• Any document requiring the signature of a lawyer, notary or commissioner which can be commissioned.

However, there are some documents that cannot be notarized through remote online notary services:

• Certified true copies of original documents (in-person appointment required);
• Last will and testament (in-person appointment required);
• Power of attorney (in-person appointment required);
• Separation / divorce agreements.

Discover more about our online notary service

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