A Commissioner of Oaths is a person authorized to take your oath or solemn affirmation when you sign an affidavit or a statutory declaration. The Commissioner is not responsible for the content of the affidavit, as it is the applicant who is swearing that the information is correct.
Please contact the Township office by calling 613-479-2231 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, to book an appointment for signing your documents. Please note valid photo identification showing your full name, signature and address must be provided with the completed document.
If you are unsure of the requirements, contact us to determine whether your document can be commissioned by our staff.
Please be advised it is at the exclusive discretion of the individual Commissioner of Oaths whether or not they choose to sign the document for any reason . A Commissioner of Oath is not a Notary Public and cannot notarize documents.
- A Notary Public is a person authorized by the Notaries Act. A Commissioner of Oaths cannot provide notarial certificates, certified true copies, or documents specifically requesting a notary public.
- If your document requires a notary public, please contact a lawyer.
- A Commissioner of Oaths cannot authenticate documents. For information regarding document authentication, please visit the Government of Canada’s website.
Documents that can be Signed by a Commissioner of Oaths
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Documents that can be sworn and signed by a Commissioner of Oaths are as follows:
- statutory declaration
- planning application
- insurance claim
- common law status affidavit
- vehicle ownership transfer
- attestation of pension recipient being alive and confirming their residency
- residency document
- lost passport
- single status certificate
- consent letter for travelling with a child commonly referred to as a travel document.
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Before Having your Documents Commissioned
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- Township staff cannot provide you with any advice with respect to the documents that you are swearing. You need to read and fully understand the documents yourself
- Read the document completely in advance. This is extremely important as you will be swearing that the statements in the document are true. When signing under oath, you are swearing as if you are testifying in a court of law that the document contains true statements.
- Bring everything that you will need, including any letter of instruction from the person or office requesting the sworn statement.
- If a sworn statement indicates that there are copies of documents to be attached, you must bring those original documents with you, as well as the copies to be attached. Otherwise, the oath cannot be administered by the Commissioner.
- Do not sign the document in advance. You must sign the document in the presence of the Commissioner.
- You must present one original piece of government-issued photo identification (for example, a valid driver’s licence). A Health Card is not considered a valid form of government-issued photo identification.
- You must be 18 years of age to take an oath in regard to a document. If you are under 18, additional notation will be made on the document.
- If a witness is required, bring someone who knows you. The witness must not be your spouse, child or relative. They may need to swear an Affidavit of Witness that you are who you claim to be and that they saw you sign the document.
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Documents that Cannot be Signed by a Commissioner of Oaths
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- Wills, testaments, and estates
- Powers of Attorney
- Divorce, separation, and custody
- Real estate
- Court documents or any documents related to court proceedings
- Any other documents requiring a Notary Public
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