Does the Town provide notary services?
Yes. Notary services are provided at the Administration Office at 100 Dissette St., Units 7&8, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. An appointment is necessary, and can be made by phone to 905-775-5366 ext.1100.
Other local attorneys may also provide notarial services, and will set their own fees and appointments.
What is the fee for notarial services?
Documents can be notarized for a fee of $20.
What is the difference between a Notary and a Commissioner of Oaths?
A commissioner for taking affidavits (also called a Commissioner of Oaths) only has authority to administer oaths and take affidavits. A notary public has much broader authority. A notary public can “notarize” copies of documents (verify as a true copy). Barristers and solicitors (lawyers) in Ontario are automatically commissioners for taking affidavits. They also have the automatic right to be notary publics; however, in order to exercise the notary public function they must apply for and obtain a notary public seal.
What services can a Notary provide?
- Preparing and witnessing powers of attorney for use overseas
- Dealing with purchase or sale of land and property abroad
- Providing documents to deal with the administration of the estates of people abroad or owning property abroad
- Authenticating personal documents and information for immigration or emigration purposes, or to apply to marry or work abroad
- Authenticating company and business documents and transactions
- Acting as a witness to an agreement
- Drafting and notarizing travel documents for children (i.e. Consent Letter to Travel)
What is a Consent Letter to Travel?
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade recommends that if a person younger than 18 is travelling alone or with only one parent or another adult, they have their parents’ consent for such travel.
A notarized letter of consent to travel is proof of such consent.
A notary public can or notarize this consent document for you. The consent document should be drafted according to the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s recommended specifications.
The parent(s) granting consent must attend the notary public’s office with valid photo identification.
Please note that other documents may be required in addition to notarized consent documents. Visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website before you travel to ensure that you have all of your necessary documentation
What is a Letter of Invitation?
A letter of invitation is where a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada ‘invites’ a person who is outside of Canada and wishes to enter Canada on a Temporary Resident Visa. A letter of invitation may be required by a person applying for a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada. Some visa offices may require that the letter of invitation be notarized by a notary public.
The letter of invitation must include particular information about both the person inviting the person to Canada and the person being invited.
Once you have the letter of invitation and, if necessary, had it notarized, you must send it to the person you are inviting to Canada. They will then have to submit the letter of invitation to the Canadian Embassy or Consulate outside of Canada when they apply for their Temporary Resident Visa.
A letter of invitation does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.