Free Affidavit of Publication Template

In Canada, you might need a Publisher’s Affidavit of Publication in the following circumstances:

• To fulfill legal notice requirements for public announcements, legal ads, and government notifications
• To provide evidence of publication for compliance requirements and administrative filings
• To support legal action or disputes for proof of public notice or publication timeline
• To verify publication dates for matters related to copyright, public records, or licensing

Government departments and courts typically rely on published notices to demonstrate transparency and compliance with statutory requirements.

Your Publisher’s Affidavit should include the details below to be considered valid. Below are the typical components required for Affidavits of Publication across Canada:

• Publisher’s information: The legal name, address, and contact details of the publisher.
• Publication details: The title of the publication and the issue or edition being affirmed.
• Publication content: Confirmation that the content (e.g., a notice, announcement, etc.) appeared as stated in the issue.
• Circulation information: How and where the publication is distributed (e.g., print, online circulation, etc.).
• Affirmation of publication: A sworn statement attesting that the publication has been made available to the public as required.
• Signatures: Publisher’s signature, date, and affirmation that the details are true and accurate.
• Commissioning: An authorized official’s (like a notary’s) signature and seal to certify the Affidavit’s authenticity, making it stronger as evidence.

Affidavits of Publication are used in various contexts, from court to regulatory requirements. You may need one in the situations below:

Court Requirements

Probate and estate notices: When publishing estate administration notices to creditors or the public to confirm that the notice ran as legally required (e.g., to satisfy provincial estate rules).

Confirmation of publication for litigation: To prove that a legally mandated notice was publicly published, especially if a court proceeding depends on public awareness of a legal action.

Settlement notices: A requirement as part of the court record for complex litigation, like class action lawsuits.

Corporate and Administrative Public Notices

Official announcements or notifications: To prove compliance when laws or regulations specify that a notice must be published (often in newspapers and Gazettes).

Corporate law notices: Certain business or corporate actions (e.g., dissolution or restructuring) may require proof of newspaper publication to satisfy federal or provincial laws.

Regulatory compliance: Government agencies may require proof that specific public notices were issued and published to meet regulatory transparency requirements.

Zoning, hearings, and municipal actions: To confirm that public notices regarding zoning changes, public hearings, or municipal decisions were properly disseminated.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list, and an Affidavit or Publication can be required for other situations where a published notice must be supported by formal, sworn evidence.

An Affidavit of Publication must be commissioned by an authorized official, like a notary public or commissioner of oaths, to be valid.

During commissioning, you swear or affirm that the contents of your Affidavit are true before the official. You’ll sign your Affidavit while the official witnesses your signature, and they’ll sign it too. Check out our blog to learn more about the process of commissioning.

You can meet with a notary public online to have your Affidavit of Publication commissioned in 7 minutes, from anywhere.

Providing false or inaccurate information in an Affidavit may constitute perjury, a criminal offence in Canada.