What is a Commissioner or Notary Public?
A Commissioner is a person authorized to take your oath or solemn affirmation when you sign an affidavit or a statutory declaration. A Commissioner does not certify that the statements being made in the affidavit or statutory declaration are true, but only certifies that an oath or solemn affirmation has been administered properly. Notary Public has much broader authority. A Notary can "Notarize" copies of documents (verify as a true copy). Notaries can notarize documents for filing throughout the world, whereas ordinarily, a Commissioner of Oaths can only commission documents which are being filed within the Province in which the Commissioner received his or her appointment.
How do I become a Commissioner of Oaths or Notary Public?
Contact your provincial government:
Alberta:http://justice.gov.ab.ca/official/commisioner.aspx?id=2807
B.C.:http://www.governmentagents.gov.bc.ca/progdesc/com_affid.htm
Manitoba: No website at this time. Call 1-204-945-2654
Ontario: No website at this time. Call 1-416-326-4064 (Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General).
Newfoundland and Labrador:http://www.justice.gov.nl.ca/just/FAQ's/jus_faq.htm#comm_oaths
New Brunswick:http://app.infoaa.7700.gnb.ca/gnb/Pub/EServices/ListServiceDetails.asp?ServiceID1=623&ReportType1=All
Nova Scotia:http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/Divisions/LegalServ/oaths.asp
Nunavut: No website at this time. Call 1-867-975-6100 (Nunavut Court House).
NWT:http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/Commissioner/Commissioner_comoaths.htm
I have a CRIMINAL RECORD. Can I still become a Commissioner or Notary?
You cannot become a Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public if you have a criminal record, unless you have received a Canadian Pardon. Debbie Ward, President of the Canadian Legal Resource Centre Inc. has been assisting Canadians with Canada Pardons since 1986. If you would like to find out more about obtaining a Canadian Pardon, contact the Canadian Legal Resource Centre Inc. by calling 1-800-320-2477 for information on processing times, procedures, cost, eligibility, and more!
Pardon Services
Canadian Legal Resource Centre Inc.
1-800-320-2477
