Preparing for Your Online Notary Appointment

Key Takeaways

• Online notary appointments are legal in many Canadian provinces and involve verifying identity, witnessing your signature, and applying a notary’s electronic seal.

• Ensure your document qualifies for online notarization, as some documents (like Certified True Copies or Contracts) may still require in-person services.

• Review your document, save it clearly as a PDF or image, and upload it unsigned before your appointment.

• Booking is simple: choose your service, upload your documents and ID, add signers if needed, and confirm your appointment time.

• Before your session, set up a quiet, well-lit space with a device that has a camera and mic, and have your ID ready.

• Book your online notary appointment with NotaryPro today for a fast and stress-free experience from the comfort of your own home.

Need a document commissioned but don’t have time to visit a notary in person? Meeting with a notary online is fast, secure, and legally recognized in many provinces across Canada. However, to ensure your appointment runs smoothly, a little preparation can go a long way.

Here, we dive into how to prepare for your online notary appointment, so you can enjoy a seamless, hassle-free experience.

What Does an Online Notary Appointment Involve?

An online notary appointment involves meeting with a notary online over a video call to commission a document virtually. During your online commissioning session, your notary will administer an oath or affirmation. This means they’ll ask you to formally declare that the statements in your document are true to the best of your knowledge.

Your notary will also confirm your identity, make sure you understand the contents of your document, and witness your signature. To make everything official, they’ll also sign your document and add their electronic seal. 

Having a notary commission your document online is entirely legal and regulated across several Canadian provinces. In Ontario, the Electronic Commerce Act recognizes electronic signatures as valid and binding. Ontario Regulation 431/20, introduced in August 2020, officially permits the remote administration of oaths and affirmations via real-time video communication.

Verify Your Document is Eligible for Online Notary Services

Before you book, double-check that your document qualifies for online notary services. Many documents and government forms are accepted for online commissioning, including, but not limited to, Affidavits, Statutory Declarations, and Travel Consent Letters. However, some documents still require in-person notarization under Canadian law. These include Certified True Copies, Contracts, and Deeds. 

For more information, check out this list of documents that you can and cannot sign online. It’s best to review this list before booking a virtual appointment to verify whether your document can legally be completed online. 

Prepare Your Document for Your Appointment

Once you confirm your document’s eligibility, review it for accuracy. Verify that names are spelled correctly and that the information you provided is complete and accurate. 

Then, save your document as a PDF. If you’re working with a physical document, take a clear photo of it, or scan it. Make sure that every detail on the document is clearly visible, and that no sections are blurry. If you have multiple documents to commission, upload each document as a separate file to keep everything organized for your appointment. 

If you need to draft your document first, we offer a wide variety of free document templates to help you get started. Use one of our templates to complete your document in minutes and ensure it’s formatted correctly

Most importantly, do not sign your document, as you must do this in front of your notary during your appointment. 

Book Your Online Notary Appointment 

Our user-friendly platform enables you to book an appointment online effortlessly. Simply follow the steps below to lock in an online notary appointment in minutes:

• Visit our booking page and select whether you’re looking for personal or business notary services. 
• Provide some details, like your full name, current address, and email.
• Upload your document file or use your phone’s camera to scan and upload it. 
• Select the type of document you’re commissioning.
• Choose between scheduling a future notary appointment or meeting instantly.
• Upload a piece of government-issued identification.
• If not meeting instantly, choose an appointment time.
• Select the number of signers who need to sign your document.
• Choose how many notary seals you’ll need, one will typically suffice.
• Review your appointment details and submit payment.

If your document requires multiple signers (e.g., documents needing several signatures or witnesses), you can add them during the booking process. Just enter each signer’s email address, and we’ll send them their own secure video link. Everyone can join the same session using separate devices, all from different locations. 

After booking your appointment, you’ll receive an email with the booking confirmation, appointment details, and a link to join your video call. 

Set Up Your Signing Environment

You’ll want to ensure everything is just right before your appointment to ensure a smooth process. Make sure your device meets the basic requirements; you’ll need a laptop, tablet, or smartphone with a front-facing camera, microphone, and speaker. 

Additionally, make sure you have a reliable internet connection and choose a quiet, well-lit space with minimal distractions. Good lighting, such as natural sunlight or a desk lamp, will help the notary verify your ID, thereby preventing fraud. If you’re using a smartphone, prop it up on something at eye level, so you can keep your hands free.

Prepare Your Electronic Signature (Optional)

Signing documents online is simple. You just need to type or draw your signature using your mouse when your notary prompts you to. However, if you prefer not to sign with your mouse, you can prepare your signature in advance. 

Simply sign a piece of white paper with black ink. Then, take a clear photo and save it to your device. Importantly, do not add your signature to your document before meeting with your notary, as commissioning requires you to sign in their presence.

Attend Your Online Notary Appointment

At your scheduled time, click the link in your confirmation email to join your online notary appointment. Now, it’s time to have your document commissioned with a notary public to make it legally valid. Here’s an overview of the process:

• You’ll present your ID to the notary, and they’ll confirm your identity
• The notary will administer an oath or affirmation, asking you to confirm that the details of your document are truthful and accurate
• The notary will ensure you understand the contents of what you’re signing
• They’ll ensure you’re signing willingly, without coercion
• You’ll sign and date your document, and the notary will witness your signature
• The notary will also sign your document and apply their official seal

Our online notary service makes commissioning your documents super quick and convenient — in 7 minutes, from anywhere.

Pro Tip: Your notary may request a secondary piece of ID, so have one handy just in case.

Book Your Online Notary Appointment Today

By now, you’ve got everything you need to prepare for a smooth and successful online notary services experience. You’ve learned how to check your document’s eligibility, prepare your documents and ID, and set up your space for the virtual appointment. Whether you’re signing on your own or with others, these steps ensure you’re fully prepared for your appointment. 

Whether you’re commissioning a Declaration, Affidavit, or business agreement, our secure online notary solution helps you get it done quickly and confidently.

Ready to get started? Schedule your online notary appointment today to experience a faster, easier way to commission documents anytime, anywhere.