How Online Notary Services Empower Canadians Living Abroad

Key Takeaways

• Canadians living abroad often need Canadian documents commissioned for business, education, family, or personal legal matters.
• Consular and embassy notary services are limited, slow, sometimes difficult to reach and often impractical for urgent or time-sensitive needs.
• Foreign notaries may not meet Canadian commissioning requirements, not understand English or French documents, and require you to pay extra costs.
• Online notary services empower Canadians abroad to meet licensed Canadian notaries securely online and commission documents in just 7 minutes.
• Meeting with a notary online delivers convenience, speed, cost savings, and peace of mind while ensuring documents remain valid and accepted across Canada.

Every year, more Canadians choose to live, study, or work abroad. From expats and students to digital nomads and retirees, this global community continues to grow. 

Traditionally, these Canadians would turn to consulates and embassies for notary services, but they provide slow, limited, and inconvenient service. Today’s modern online notary solution bridges that gap, allowing Canadians overseas to access 7-minute notary services online, from anywhere. 

Difficulties Accessing Canadian Notary Services Abroad

Most Canadians overseas still maintain legal, financial, or family ties that require completing Canadian documentation. 

Canadian consular officials at embassies and consulates outside Canada can sometimes assist, but their services typically involve long wait times and travel. Additionally, Canadian documents notarized or commissioned under foreign legal systems (by local, foreign notaries) may not always meet Canadian legal requirements. 

Challenges of Consular Notary Services Abroad

• Long wait times: Only a few Canadian consulates and embassies offer notary appointments; they’re often hard to secure and not ideal for time-sensitive matters.
• Travel barriers: Many Canadians need to travel long distances to visit Canadian consulates and embassies abroad, which can be time-consuming and costly.
• Limited service scope: Overseas officials often offer only a limited selection of services, narrowing who they can help.
• Rigid scheduling: Consular notary services are usually only available during local business hours, with no evening or weekend appointments.

Difficulties Using Foreign Notary Services Overseas

• Unclear legal requirements: Notary rules vary by country, creating uncertainty about whether documents notarized or commissioned abroad will be accepted under Canadian law.
• Risk of rejection: Documents prepared by foreign notaries may not meet Canadian legal or commissioning standards. This can result in documents being rejected by banks, courts, government agencies, or legal professionals in Canada.
• Lack of familiarity with Canadian documents: Foreign notaries may be unfamiliar with Canadian documents, like Affidavits or province-specific forms, increasing the risk of errors.
• Language and translation issues: Documents completed by notaries abroad may require an additional translation step to ensure the notary understands what they’re signing.
• Unpredictable costs: Foreign notary fees can vary by country and provider. Costs can add up if they include translation fees, authentication, or multiple visits to correct errors.
• Additional authentication requirements: Some documents notarized abroad may require further steps, such as legalization or an apostille, before they’re accepted in Canada. 

1. Canadian Business Professionals

Canadians working internationally often maintain business or financial ties to Canada. They typically require documents to be commissioned to ensure operations remain legal and compliant. Common examples include:

• Signing Partnership Agreements for Canadian-registered companies
• Completing Affidavits or Statutory Declarations for banking, taxes, or legal compliance
• Submitting Affidavits of No Lien to confirm Canadian assets are free from debt or encumbrances
• General Powers of Attorney to enable others to manage their financial affairs in Canada on their behalf
• Authorization Letters to permit someone in Canada to act on their behalf

2. Canadian Students Studying Abroad

Canadian students living overseas also rely on notary solutions to meet academic or government requirements while studying abroad. Typical examples include:

• Affidavits of Support signed by sponsors or parents to confirm financial assistance for education or visa applications
• Invitation Letters to invite loved ones to their graduation ceremonies or to visit them
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Unions to prove common-law status for academic funding or for immigration purposes

3. Canadian Expats, Digital Nomads, and Retirees Overseas

Long-term travellers, retirees, and digital nomads continue to handle personal and legal matters that call for document commissioning overseas. For instance, they may need to:

• Estate documents for property transactions
• Vehicle Bills of Sale and Affidavits of Vehicle Ownership when selling or transferring vehicles from abroad
• Single Status Affidavits when planning to marry overseas
• Statutory Declarations for insurance claims, pension verification, or estate administration

What Is an Online Notary Service?

An online notary service enables you to meet with a licensed notary or commissioner over secure video to have documents commissioned remotely. Instead of visiting a local office, your notary appointment takes place securely, quickly, and legally online.

Commissioning involves signing a legal document before an authorized official, such as a notary public or commissioner. During commissioning, you swear or affirm that all the information you’ve provided in your document is true and accurate. To learn more about what happens during an online commissioning appointment, see this blog. 

Online notary services are legally recognized under provincial regulations in Canada. For instance, Ontario’s Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act and O. Reg. 431/20 permit remote commissioning through audio-visual communication. Similar frameworks exist in other provinces, provided the notary complies with local rules and maintains accurate records.

Online Notary Service Benefits for Canadians Abroad

Online notary services make life easier for Canadians living in foreign countries. See some specific benefits below:

1. Convenience and Accessibility

• Canadians living overseas can attend online notary appointments at any time, including mornings, evenings, and weekends. 
• There’s no need to plan around consulate schedules or take time off work. 
• You can meet with a notary from any device, including a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
• You can meet with a notary from anywhere, including work, home, or while on the go.

2. Speed and Efficiency

• You can have documents commissioned online in 7 minutes without interrupting your day.
• You can access instant notary appointments, which are critical for urgent, time-sensitive needs. 
• After your appointment, your completed document is emailed to you instantly. 
• Online services eliminate mailing delays, allowing you to complete paperwork quickly.

3. Cost Savings

• Using an online notary service saves you money with fair, standardized pricing.
• There’s no need to travel to pay extensive travel costs to reach embassies or pay international courier fees. 
• Online notary rates are typically lower than those for in-person notary services abroad.
• You will not have to pay additional translation fees, as Canadian notaries can understand English or French documents. 

4. Legal Consistency

• Documents commissioned by a licensed Canadian notary online are recognized across Canada. 
• You can avoid problems that can arise when using foreign notaries, whose practices and seals may not meet Canadian standards. 
• Online Canadian notaries ensure your documents remain valid, compliant, and accepted by Canadian institutions.

5. Peace of Mind

• Online notary platforms provide reassurance that your documents are handled by professionals who understand Canadian law. 
• There’s no need to navigate unfamiliar foreign systems or wonder if your document will be accepted in Canada.
• Online notary services are secure and protected by encryption, identity checks, and official digital records.

How Online Notary Services Work for Canadians Abroad

You can book an online notary appointment in minutes with NotaryPro. Simply follow the steps below to meet with a notary in less time than a coffee break — from anywhere with Wi-Fi.

1. Book your online notary appointment 

NotaryPro’s booking system works across time zones, so you can connect with a notary at a time that fits your schedule. 

• Visit our booking page
• Enter some basic personal details
• Upload your document or scan it with your phone’s camera
• Select the document you’re signing.
• Upload a valid piece of government-issued identification.
• Select your preferred appointment time. 
• Indicate the number of seals you need (one is usually enough).

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

2. Prepare for your online notary appointment

Before your session, take the following steps:

• Review your document for accuracy and ensure all information is correct
• Do not sign your document until you’re in front of the notary (they must witness you sign)
• Have two valid pieces of government-issued photo ID.
• Ensure your camera, microphone, and speakers are working properly.
• Make sure you’re in a quiet, brightly lit space for identity verification

3. Join your online notary appointment

• At the scheduled time, click the link in your confirmation email to join your session. 
• A notary will verify your identity with your valid ID
• They will also confirm that you understand the document and ensure you’re signing willingly.

4. Take an oath or affirmation

• The notary will ask you to make an oath or affirmation confirming that the contents of your document are accurate and truthful.
• You’ll sign and date your document, while the notary witnesses your signature. 

5. Receive your completed document

• The notary also signs your document to confirm commissioning.
• They affix their official seal or stamp to your document.
• You receive your completed document instantly by email.

Meet with a Canadian Notary Online From Overseas

Distance doesn’t have to stop you from meeting with a Canadian notary while you’re overseas. You can meet personal and professional obligations from anywhere in the world by using our secure and reliable online notary service.

Gain instant access to licensed Canadian notaries who understand the laws, languages, and requirements unique to Canadian documents. Each appointment is fully compliant with provincial and federal requirements, giving you confidence that Canadian institutions will accept your documents.

Book your online notary appointment today to commission your documents in 7 minutes — the convenient, affordable, and painless way.