Notary Public & Commissioning Services in Brampton
Whether you need a document notarized for international use, an affidavit commissioned for court, or a power of attorney witnessed, GS Arora Law provides professional notary public services in Brampton, Ontario for individuals, families, and businesses. We serve clients in-office at our Brampton location, by mobile appointment for those who cannot travel, and by secure video call for commissioning services permitted remotely under Ontario law.
Our notarizing and commissioning services are performed by Gagandeep Singh Arora, Notary Public in Brampton, a Barrister & Solicitor licensed with the Law Society of Ontario and appointed as both a Notary Public and a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits. Every notarization in Brampton is completed with strict attention to Ontario’s legal requirements — ensuring your documents are accepted by courts, government agencies, financial institutions, and foreign authorities.
In-Office (Brampton)
By appointment at our Brampton office — most appointments completed same day
Mobile Service
We travel to your hospital, nursing home, office, or home
Remote Commissioning
Secure video call for affidavits under O. Reg. 431/20
Need a document notarized or commissioned in Brampton?
GS Arora Law provides notarizing, commissioning, and power of attorney witnessing in-office, by mobile appointment, or by secure video call. No walk-in needed — book your appointment today.
Notary Public vs. Commissioner for Taking Affidavits — What’s the Difference?
Many people use these terms interchangeably, but in Ontario they have distinct legal meanings and authorities:
| Role | Authority | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| Commissioner for Taking Affidavits | Can administer oaths and take sworn statements for legal use within Ontario | Affidavits for court, statutory declarations for immigration or insurance, consent to travel letters, OSAP declarations |
| Notary Public | All commissioner powers PLUS: can certify true copies of documents, notarize signatures for international use, apply a notarial seal, and complete documents for use outside Ontario | Passport copies, degree certification, international business documents, powers of attorney for foreign use, real estate closing documents |
All Ontario lawyers are automatically Commissioners for Taking Affidavits and may also be appointed as Notaries Public under the Notaries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.6. GS Arora Law holds both appointments.
Affidavit Commissioning in Brampton
An affidavit is a written statement of facts made under oath or affirmation before a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits. When you need an affidavit commissioned in Brampton, GS Arora Law provides appointment-based and mobile services so your document is signed, sworn, and accepted the first time.
Common affidavits we commission include:
- Affidavits of identity and residence
- Affidavits of service for court proceedings
- Affidavits in support of real estate transactions
- Affidavits for estate administration and probate in Ontario
- Affidavits for insurance claims
- Immigration-related affidavits and statutory declarations
- Loss of document affidavits
- Affidavits confirming relationship status or common-law relationships
What to bring: Valid government-issued photo ID and your completed unsigned affidavit. Do not sign the affidavit before your appointment — it must be signed in front of the Commissioner.
Statutory Declarations & Commissioning Services
A statutory declaration is a written statement affirmed as true before a Commissioner, but without taking an oath. It is commonly required for immigration, insurance, financial, and administrative purposes.
GS Arora Law commissions statutory declarations for:
- Immigration matters: statutory declarations for immigration applications — declarations of relationship, language proficiency, or residential history
- Insurance purposes: lost item or property declarations, insurance claim support
- Financial institutions: bank declarations, account ownership confirmations
- Government applications: OSAP declarations, tax declarations, name change confirmations
- Family law: consent to travel letters for children travelling between parents, relationship status declarations
Notarizing Documents in Brampton — Certified Copies & International Use
Notarizing a document is different from commissioning. Notarized documents carry the Notary Public’s seal and are required in situations where a commissioner’s stamp is not sufficient — particularly for use outside Ontario or internationally.
GS Arora Law notarizes:
- Certified true copies: passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic degrees, professional licences — for use with foreign institutions, embassies, or Canadian agencies
- Powers of attorney: witnessing and notarizing powers of attorney documents for use in real estate transactions, financial management, or personal care
- International business documents: corporate resolutions, contracts, letters of authorization
- Real estate closing documents: verifying identity and witnessing signatures at closing for properties with out-of-province or out-of-country parties. See our guide on notarized documents in real estate transactions and legal steps when buying a home in Brampton.
- Banking and financial documents: signature verification for financial institutions
Power of Attorney Witnessing & Notarization in Ontario
A Power of Attorney (POA) is one of the most important legal documents you will sign. It grants another person — called your attorney — the legal authority to act on your behalf for financial, property, or personal care decisions. In Ontario, a Power of Attorney must be witnessed and in some cases notarized to be valid. Our Wills & Estates team can also advise on the property decisions a POA covers and how it fits into your overall estate plan.
Types of Power of Attorney in Ontario
- Continuing Power of Attorney for Property: covers financial and property decisions, and remains valid if the grantor becomes mentally incapable. Required for most real estate transactions where the owner cannot be present at closing.
- Power of Attorney for Personal Care: covers health care, housing, and personal decisions. Takes effect only when the grantor is unable to make decisions independently.
- Specific or Limited Power of Attorney: limited to a single transaction or purpose, such as authorizing someone to close a real estate deal on your behalf.
POA Witnessing Requirements in Ontario
Under Ontario’s Substitute Decisions Act, a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property and a Power of Attorney for Personal Care each require:
- Two independent witnesses present at the time of signing
- Witnesses must not be the attorney, the attorney’s spouse, or a person under 18
- The grantor must sign in front of both witnesses
GS Arora Law provides proper POA witnessing, and where notarization is required (for international use, real estate, or banking purposes), applies the Notary Public seal. For information on how a Power of Attorney affects property transfers and title in Brampton, see our property due diligence guide.
Remote Commissioning in Ontario — O. Reg. 431/20
Since 2020, Ontario permits remote commissioning of affidavits and statutory declarations under Ontario Regulation 431/20. GS Arora Law offers remote commissioning by secure video call subject to the following requirements:
- Both the deponent and the Commissioner must be located in Ontario during the signing
- The Commissioner must use real-time audio-visual technology (video call)
- The Commissioner must verify the deponent’s identity visually and confirm they are signing voluntarily
- The Commissioner must note on the document that it was commissioned remotely
Important limitation: Remote commissioning under O. Reg. 431/20 does NOT apply to notarizing documents or certifying true copies. Notarizations require in-person attendance under current Ontario law. If you need a certified copy or a notarized document, an in-office or mobile appointment is required.
How to Book — In-Office, Mobile, and Remote Services in Brampton
| Service type | How it works | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| In-office (Brampton) | By appointment at our Brampton office. Bring valid photo ID and your unsigned document. Most appointments completed same day. | Standard notarizations, POA witnessing, affidavit commissioning, certified copies |
| Mobile service | We travel to your location — hospital, nursing home, office, or home. Ideal for clients who cannot travel. | Seniors, hospital patients, those with accessibility needs, urgent same-day signings |
| Remote commissioning (video) | Secure video call for affidavit commissioning and statutory declarations under O. Reg. 431/20. Both parties must be in Ontario. | Immigration declarations, court affidavits, insurance statutory declarations (not available for notarizations or certified copies) |
Note on ‘free’ notary services: Notarizing and commissioning by a licensed Barrister & Solicitor is a professional legal service and carries a fee. The fee reflects the legal liability, professional time, and regulated standards involved. GS Arora Law provides transparent, competitive pricing. Contact us for current rates and to book your appointment.
Ontario Legal Requirements for Notarizing and Commissioning
Whether you are commissioning an affidavit or having a document notarized, Ontario law requires:
- Valid government-issued photo ID: passport, driver’s licence, or permanent resident card. Expired ID is not acceptable.
- Unsigned document: do not sign the document before your appointment. Signing must occur in front of the legal official.
- Correct form: affidavits and statutory declarations must have a proper jurat (the sworn statement clause). Bring the complete document — do not leave blanks.
- Official seal: notarizations require the Notary Public’s embossed or stamped seal. Commissioning does not require a seal but requires the commissioner’s signature.
- Witnesses (for certain documents): Powers of Attorney require two independent witnesses in addition to the notary. Bring your witnesses to the appointment or contact us to arrange.
When You Need Notarized or Commissioned Documents in Ontario
Notarized or commissioned documents are required across a wide range of legal, financial, and personal situations:
Real Estate Transactions
Property purchases, sales, and refinancings frequently require notarized documents — particularly where a party cannot attend in person and a Power of Attorney is used to authorize the transaction on their behalf. Read our guide to property ownership transfers and due diligence in Brampton for a full breakdown of the documents required at closing.
Wills, Estates & Probate
Estate administration frequently requires commissioned affidavits, sworn declarations of assets, and notarized copies of the will or death certificate. Powers of Attorney for property and personal care must be witnessed at the time of signing. Read our guide to probate and real estate in Ontario to understand how notarized estate documents fit into the probate process.
Family Law Matters
Family law proceedings often require commissioned affidavits — for support applications, property division, and parenting disputes. Consent to travel letters for minors, relationship status declarations, and custody-related statutory declarations are all commissioned documents. Our family law team in Brampton handles the legal proceedings that often require these documents.
Business & Corporate Documents
Incorporating a business, executing shareholder agreements, and entering international contracts frequently require notarized signatures and certified copies of corporate documents. Our business law team works alongside our notarizing services when corporate documents require authentication.
Immigration Applications
Statutory declarations and commissioned affidavits are a standard requirement in many Canadian immigration applications. Declarations of relationship, declarations of support, and affidavits of identity are all commonly required for sponsorship, study permit, and work permit applications. GS Arora Law serves Brampton’s South Asian community in both English and Punjabi.
Need a notary public or commissioner for oaths in Brampton?
GS Arora Law offers in-office, mobile, and remote commissioning services across Brampton and the GTA. No walk-in needed — book your appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions — Notary Public & Commissioning Services in Brampton
What is the difference between a notary public and a commissioner for oaths?
In Ontario, a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits can administer oaths and commission sworn statements for use within Ontario. A Notary Public has broader authority: they can also certify true copies of documents, apply a notarial seal, and notarize documents for use outside Ontario or internationally. All Ontario lawyers are automatically Commissioners and may be appointed as Notaries Public under the Notaries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.6.
What documents can be notarized in Brampton?
Common notarized documents include: certified true copies of passports, birth certificates, and academic degrees; powers of attorney for property or personal care; business documents for international transactions; real estate signing documents; and identity verification for financial institutions. The document must be original, signed in front of the Notary Public, and accompanied by valid photo ID.
How do I get an affidavit commissioned in Brampton?
Book an appointment with GS Arora Law. Bring your unsigned affidavit and valid government-issued photo ID. Do not sign the affidavit before your appointment — it must be signed in front of the Commissioner. The Commissioner will verify your identity, administer the oath or affirmation, witness your signature, and complete the jurat. Most commissioning appointments take 10–15 minutes. Book an appointment here.
Can I get documents notarized online or by video in Ontario?
Ontario permits remote commissioning of affidavits and statutory declarations under O. Reg. 431/20, using real-time video technology. Both parties must be located in Ontario, and the Commissioner must verify your identity on camera. However, notarizing documents (such as certified copies) and witnessing powers of attorney still require in-person attendance under current Ontario law.
Who can witness a power of attorney in Ontario?
A Continuing Power of Attorney for Property and a Power of Attorney for Personal Care in Ontario each require two independent witnesses present at signing. Witnesses cannot be the attorney, the attorney’s spouse, or the grantor’s spouse or partner. A Notary Public or Commissioner can serve as one witness. GS Arora Law can arrange proper POA witnessing. See our Wills & Estates page for more on how powers of attorney fit into estate planning.
Do I need to bring original documents for notarization?
For certifying true copies, yes — you must bring the original document. The Notary Public compares the copy to the original and certifies it is a true and accurate reproduction. The original is returned to you. For affidavit commissioning, bring your completed unsigned document and valid photo ID. Pre-signed documents or documents with blank sections will not be accepted.
How much does a notary public cost in Brampton?
Notarizing and commissioning by a licensed Barrister & Solicitor is a professional legal service with a fee that varies based on the type and number of documents and whether in-office, mobile, or remote service is required. GS Arora Law offers transparent, competitive pricing. Contact us for current rates.
Can I notarize documents for a family member?
A Notary Public or Commissioner can notarize or commission documents for family members provided they have no personal interest in the document and can independently verify the signatory’s identity and confirm they are signing voluntarily. In Ontario, a lawyer cannot commission an affidavit in which they have a conflict of interest or a personal stake in the outcome.
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GS Arora Law provides notarizing and commissioning services in accordance with the Notaries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.6, the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.17, and O. Reg. 431/20. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.