Notarial Certificate | Free Template

Notarial Certificates are typically required when documents require an added layer of formal authentication. Notarial certificates can be requested for certain documents for:

• Government agencies
• Court or legal proceedings
• Business, financial, and administrative purposes
• Sending international documents

With a Notarial Certificate, recipients can be assured that documents were signed correctly before a qualified official. Always confirm whether you need a Notarial Certificate and, if so, in what form, as requirements vary by institution and jurisdiction.

In Ontario, a valid Notarial Certificate usually includes the following details:

• The full name and title of the notary public
• The signer’s name, whose signature or declaration was notarized
• The jurisdiction, stating that notarization has occurred in the Province of Ontario
• The date and location (city and province) where the notarial act took place
• A statement of the notarial act performed (for example, sworn, affirmed, witnessed)
• A description of the document being notarized
• The notary public’s signature
• The notary’s official seal or stamp

These elements are essential in your certificate. Missing details may result in your document being rejected by the receiving authority.

If a Notarial Certificate is required for use outside Canada, additional authentication may be needed. This can include an apostille or legalization through Global Affairs Canada or a foreign consulate. That said, a Notarial Certificate alone may not be sufficient for international acceptance.

In Ontario, both notaries and commissioners can commission many documents. However, a Notarial Certificate is explicitly associated with notarial acts, and commissioning isn’t technically one of them. When a notary commissions a document, they are acting as a commissioner, and commissioned documents don’t require Notarial Certificates.

Since a commissioner cannot perform notarial acts, a commissioner of oaths cannot sign a Notarial Certificate. If you’re unsure which applies, it’s best to confirm with the recipient organization.

To learn about the differences between a commissioner and a notary, see our blog, Who Can Notarize a Document in Ontario?.

To obtain a Notarial Certificate in Ontario, you need to meet with a licensed notary public authorized to practice in the province. Depending on the notary’s services and the recipient’s requirements, this may need to be done either in person.