How To Become A Notary Public In Ontario? (2023)

A notary public is a profession that requires drafting and recording legal instruments, formalities, and providing legal advice. They act as a witness to the signing of legal document, check, inspect and mark copies of documents.

To become a notary public in Ontario, you must be at least 18 years of age, have a bachelor’s degree and must also be a practicing lawyer. Before applying for a job, you must be a certified candidate in order to go through the training process. You can proceed to obtain the form online, make the necessary payment and submit the required documents.

The task of the notary public is performed by attesting to a legally restricting signature on documents, recognizing and detecting fraud, finishing the notarial certificate on all documents, managing affidavits, loans, contracts, and other documents backed by law. Although the request for notary services depends on the readiness of notaries in a particular, notaries services are still highly demanding.

How to become a notary public in Ontario?

Becoming a notary requires some processes which must be followed correctly. If you are trained to be a lawyer or a paralegal in Ontario or still practicing, you can apply to be a notary. A lawyer who has become a member of the law society can be chosen as a notary public after being admitted to the Ontario bar. A notary work in line with the rules as contained in the Ontario notaries Act.

Moreover, a person must be a legally residing resident of the state, a minor cannot be a notary public, and also an individual with criminal deeds and records cannot be a notary in Ontario. Some states made it mandatory that an individual willing to be a notary must be able to speak English.

If you are longing to become a notary in Ontario, kindly follow and adhere to the following steps

1: Download and register notary application form online

To get approved and appointed as a notary public, you need to download and register a notary application form online. This is done Electronically.

2: Make a payment

You must pay a sum of $145 but there is no payment for a government lawyer. You can make payment in person or pay through a money order.

3: Submit the received appointment.

After the payment, you will be sent a notification through your mail. You are to sign and stamp with a seal then submit it back through the mail.

4: Get an embossed seal

Make sure you buy an embossed seal. You can get anywhere and make sure it’s readily available.

5: Make necessary completion

Make sure you complete the form and send it through the mail or deliver it personally. This must be sent for proper record and processing. A non-lawyer that wants to be a notary public can get a different form and make the payment too.

Here are some notable functions of a notary public

• Planning related appointment
• Backing up a notary journal
• Confirming the identities of contract participants
• Available when signing documents
• Verifying the positive state of mind of the signee.

Requirements to Become a Notary Public in Ontario

According to the requirements stated by the Ministry of the Attorney General in Ontario, lawyers and non-lawyers are chanced to apply to become a notary. A non-lawyer notary is mostly appointed to serve a three-year term. A non-lawyer notary can write an application directly to the office of the Attorney General.

To become a notary in Ontario, you must meet the below requirements;

• You must not be a minor i.e you must not be below eighteen years of age
• You must not be a victim of a criminal act
• You must be a resident of the state
• You must be a lawyer.
• A non-lawyer who wants to be a Notary must apply through the office of the Attorney General.

How long does it take to become a notary public in Ontario?

A Notary in Ontario must be a lawyer to be eligible after the approval by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO). This task will be performed for a long period of time.

To become a notary depends on the individual, how he or she takes the training procedures seriously. The training processes are short and easily catchy which includes some tests and examinations.

How much does a notary earn in Ontario?

The payment for the services that a Notary renders depends on the amount stated by the state. This fee may be $5-$10, though the client may decide to increase it depending on the relationship between the client and the notary. Such a situation make including a service that involves travel accommodation.

Notary services are required mostly in the aspect of health care, banking, law, and other perspectives.

Documents that are notarized in Ontario

1. The affidavit of marriage

An affidavit is a legally signed document. A notarized affidavit can make instead of waiting too long for the original marriage certificates. It only requires the date of the marriage and the witnesses’ names. Also, go along with your accredited government identification number.

2. Travelling consent letter.

Most times, the borders in foreign countries or Canadian may restrict your entry or deny you exist when you travel with kids below the legal age. Also, kids are often questioned whenever they travel without approval. Traveling with a consent letter provides evidence and proof. This letter is mostly made compulsory for children under the age of 18 who are traveling alone or accompanied by relatives. A notary draft and issue travel letter of consent.

3. Divorce Affidavit

Quitting a relationship or marriage requires a process. According to Ontario’s family law, it requires both spouses to file a divorce affidavit. The affidavit indicates the reasons for the divorce or any other matter attached to the divorce.

4. Promissory Note

You must get your promissory note notarized after giving or lending out your money. An affidavit on this issue will contain the amount of money lent, when it will be repaid, the interest rate on it, and the borrower’s signature.

5. Codicil or Will Affidavit

The witnesses of a will can be called upon for an affidavit of execution. The affidavit must contain the date and the signature.

6. Service Affidavit

This affidavit is fully completed and rendered to the court to depict the documents were received by you. A legal disagreement or dispute results in this affidavit. Therefore, it must be notarized to make sure it follows the Ontario court rules.

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