Whether you need to certify a document for international use, swear an affidavit for court, or send corporate paperwork to Spain, France, or Latin America, the right Toronto notary public can save you time, money, and stress. At Hadri Law, our notary public services are delivered by Nassira El Hadri -- a Law Society of Ontario member and an Ontario-appointed Notary Public -- from our office at First Canadian Place in the heart of the financial district.
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What a Toronto Notary Public Can Do For You
A notary public in Ontario is a legally appointed officer with broad authority to authenticate documents, witness signatures, administer oaths and affirmations, and certify true copies of original documents. Notary publics in Ontario are governed by the Notaries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.6 -- and they hold all of the powers of a commissioner for taking affidavits under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.17, plus the additional power to certify documents and to authenticate signatures for use abroad.
Nassira El Hadri, Founder and Principal Lawyer at Hadri Law, was appointed as a Notary Public by the Government of Ontario in 2022. As both a notary public and a practising corporate and commercial lawyer admitted to the Law Society of Ontario in 2021, she offers something most Toronto notary services cannot: full legal context alongside the notarization itself. If a question arises about your contract, your power of attorney, or the legal effect of a declaration, you are already speaking with a qualified lawyer.
Our office is located at First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, Suite 5700 -- minutes from Bay Street, the courts, ServiceOntario, and Ontario's Official Documents Services office at 777 Bay Street. We serve clients across Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Vaughan, and Markham, in English, French, Spanish, and Catalan.
Documents We Notarize: Personal, Business, and Immigration
Most clients arrive with one of three categories of documents. Knowing which category yours falls into helps us schedule the right amount of time and prepare any required certifications.
Personal Documents
We routinely notarize identity and personal-status documents for Toronto residents and newcomers, including:
- Certified true copies of passports, driver's licences, OHIP cards, citizenship cards, and permanent resident cards
- Certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Statutory declarations (change of name, lost document declarations, common-law status, single status)
- Affidavits for court proceedings, insurance claims, and personal matters
- Invitation and sponsorship letters for visitor visas
- Consent to travel letters for minors travelling abroad
- OSAP affidavits and government benefit declarations
Business and Corporate Documents
Because we are a corporate and commercial law firm, we are particularly well-suited to handle business documents that other notary services treat as one-off transactions:
- Corporate resolutions, minutes, and records
- Certified copies of articles of incorporation (provincial and federal)
- Powers of attorney for property and personal care
- International powers of attorney for cross-border transactions
- Commercial contracts and agreements
- Statutory declarations on beneficial ownership and corporate matters
For corporate clients, notarization can be combined with a legal consultation in the same visit -- one office, one lawyer, one appointment.
Immigration Documents
Toronto receives a high volume of newcomers each year, and immigration-related notarization is a core part of our practice:
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) forms and accompanying affidavits
- Certified copies of identity and supporting documents for immigration files
- Supporting declarations for sponsorship, work permit, and refugee applications
- Notarized translations for documents in French, Spanish, or Catalan
Commissioner of Oaths and Affidavits in Toronto
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, a notary public is not the same as a commissioner for taking affidavits. A commissioner can administer oaths and take affidavits but cannot certify true copies of documents or authenticate signatures for international use. A notary public can do everything a commissioner can do -- and more. When you book with Hadri Law, you receive the full scope of notarial powers.
The most common reasons clients book a commissioner-level service are sworn statements: an affidavit is a written statement of fact sworn under oath or affirmation, while a statutory declaration is a written statement of fact "solemnly declared" without an oath. Both are used in court, in regulatory filings, and in personal matters such as name changes or insurance claims. Lying in either is an offence under sections 131 and 132 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The process is straightforward. You bring the unsigned document and one piece of valid government-issued photo identification. We confirm your identity, ensure you understand the contents of the document, and witness your signature. The document is then stamped, sealed, and signed by the notary.
Ontario also permits the remote commissioning of oaths via video conference for many document types under O. Reg. 431/20. If you cannot attend our Toronto office in person, ask us about virtual appointments when you call.
Apostille and International Document Authentication in Toronto
If you need to use an Ontario document in another country -- whether to register a marriage in Spain, enroll a child in school in France, complete a property transaction in Mexico, or open a corporate branch in Brazil -- the document must usually be authenticated. As of January 11, 2024, the way that authentication works in Canada changed significantly.
Canada Joined the Hague Apostille Convention in January 2024
The Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents -- commonly called the Apostille Convention -- is a multilateral treaty designed to simplify the cross-border use of public documents. Canada formally joined the Convention, with entry into force on January 11, 2024.
Before this change, an Ontario document destined for use abroad had to go through two steps: authentication by Global Affairs Canada, followed by legalization by the destination country's embassy or consulate. After January 11, 2024, documents going to any of the 120-plus countries that are parties to the Convention only need a single certificate -- the apostille -- which is recognized in all member states. The embassy step is gone.
For Ontario clients, this is a substantial improvement in cost, time, and complexity. Our firm has tracked these changes closely and helps clients work through both the apostille route and the older legalization route, which still applies to non-Convention countries.
How the Apostille Process Works in Toronto
The new Ontario process generally follows three steps:
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Notarization -- We notarize your document at our Toronto office. This step verifies your identity and the authenticity of your signature.
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Submission to Official Documents Services (ODS) -- The notarized document is submitted to ODS at 777 Bay Street, Lower Level, Toronto, ON M7A 2J8. ODS is the Ontario authority for issuing apostilles and certificates of authentication.
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Issuance of the apostille -- ODS verifies that the notary's signature and seal match official records. According to the Government of Ontario, mail-in processing takes approximately 15 business days, and in-person processing can often be completed in a few hours.
ODS publishes its fees at $16 per notarized document and $32 per government-issued document. For federal documents, including federally incorporated companies and federal government records, Global Affairs Canada -- not ODS -- issues the apostille.
Documents That Can Be Apostilled
The most commonly apostilled documents include:
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Provincial and federal articles of incorporation
- Passports, driver's licences, citizenship and PR cards
- Educational transcripts and diplomas
- Powers of attorney for use abroad
- Court orders, divorce certificates, and probate documents
- Police record checks
If your destination country is not a party to the Apostille Convention, the older system applies: ODS will issue a certificate of authentication, and you must then legalize the document at the destination country's embassy or consulate.
Translation and Notarization in Four Languages
Many documents going abroad must be translated -- and the translation itself often must be notarized. Documents originally in a language other than English or French must be translated by a notary who speaks both languages, with a statement attesting to that capability. Because Nassira El Hadri practises in English, French, Spanish, and Catalan, we can attest to translations of documents in any of those languages without referring you to a separate translator.
This capability is particularly valuable for:
- Spanish documents going to or from Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and other Spanish-speaking countries
- French documents going to or from France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec
- Catalan documents going to or from Catalonia and other Catalan-speaking regions
- Documents being authenticated for use in North African Francophone jurisdictions
What to Bring to Your Notary Appointment
Most appointments take 5 to 15 minutes. To make the appointment as efficient as possible, please prepare the following:
- One piece of valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification (passport, driver's licence, OHIP card with photo, citizenship card, or PR card)
- The document itself, unsigned -- for affidavits, statutory declarations, and witnessed signings, the notary must observe you sign in person
- For certified true copies -- bring the original document; we will compare it against the copy and certify the copy as a true copy
- Any supporting paperwork, such as IRCC instructions, foreign country requirements, or accompanying letters
For certain documents -- including powers of attorney for personal care -- additional witnesses may be required. Let us know in advance and we will arrange the appointment accordingly.
Same-day appointments are often available, and our location at First Canadian Place is convenient for Bay Street professionals, downtown residents, and clients arriving at Union Station. For corporate clients, we are happy to combine the notarization with a free consultation on any related legal matter.
Why Hadri Law for Your Toronto Notary Public Needs
Hadri Law differs from commodity notary services in a meaningful way: when you work with us, you are working with a qualified corporate lawyer who happens to also be a notary public -- which means you receive legal context, not just a stamp.
Our key advantages:
- Lawyer-notary credentials -- Nassira El Hadri is admitted to the Law Society of Ontario (2021) and was appointed as a Notary Public by the Government of Ontario (2022)
- Multilingual notarization -- We attest to documents and translations in English, French, Spanish, and Catalan
- Apostille fluency -- We work with Ontario's Official Documents Services and Global Affairs Canada regularly and stay current on the post-January 2024 framework
- Financial district location -- First Canadian Place, Suite 5700, walking distance from ODS at 777 Bay Street
- Corporate context -- For business documents, we can advise on the substance, not only the form
Frequently Asked Questions About Toronto Notary Public Services
What is the difference between a notary public and a commissioner of oaths in Ontario?
A notary public has broader authority. A commissioner for taking affidavits can administer oaths and take affidavits or declarations under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act. A notary public has all those powers plus the ability to certify true copies of documents and authenticate signatures for international use, governed by the Notaries Act.
How much does a notary public cost in Toronto?
Notary public fees in Toronto vary by provider and document complexity, ranging from approximately $16 to over $60 per document. At Hadri Law, our notary fees are set at the time of booking and depend on document type and quantity. We are happy to confirm pricing before your appointment -- call (437) 974-2374 for details.
What documents can a notary public certify in Ontario?
A Toronto notary public can certify true copies of passports, driver's licences, birth, marriage, and death certificates, citizenship and PR cards, academic transcripts, articles of incorporation, and most other identity, educational, corporate, and government-issued records. We also notarize affidavits, statutory declarations, and powers of attorney.
What is an apostille and how do I get one in Toronto?
An apostille is an internationally recognized authentication certificate issued under the Hague Apostille Convention, which Canada joined on January 11, 2024. To obtain one in Toronto, your document is first notarized, then submitted to Ontario's Official Documents Services at 777 Bay Street. Processing typically takes about 15 business days by mail, or several hours in person.
Do I need a notary public or a commissioner of oaths?
It depends on the document and its destination. For affidavits and oaths used inside Ontario, either a notary public or a commissioner is sufficient. For certified true copies, documents going abroad, or anything requiring an apostille or certificate of authentication, you must use a notary public.
Can a Toronto notary public notarize foreign-language documents?
Yes. A notary public can notarize a foreign-language document or its translation if the notary is competent in both the source language and English or French. Hadri Law works in English, French, Spanish, and Catalan, allowing us to notarize and attest to translations in any of those languages directly.
How long does it take to get an apostille in Ontario?
According to the Government of Ontario, the standard mail-in processing time at Official Documents Services is approximately 15 business days from receipt. In-person submissions at the ODS office at 777 Bay Street in Toronto are often processed the same day or within a few hours. Notarization at Hadri Law can be done same-day.
Is an apostille the same as notarization?
No. Notarization is the first step, performed by a notary public, who verifies your identity and witnesses or certifies the document. An apostille is the second step, issued by Ontario's Official Documents Services or Global Affairs Canada, which authenticates the notary's signature and authority for use under the Hague Apostille Convention.
Sources & Official Resources
Ontario Statutes and Regulations Cited
- Notaries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.6
- Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.17
- O. Reg. 431/20 - Administering Oath or Declaration Remotely
Federal Statutes Cited
Government Authentication Resources
- Government of Ontario - Authenticate a Document for Use Outside Canada
- Official Documents Services (Ontario)
- Global Affairs Canada - Authentication of Documents
- Government of Canada - Canada Joins Apostille Convention
Regulatory Body
Contact a Toronto Notary Public Today
If you need a notary public in Toronto -- for personal documents, business paperwork, or apostille and international authentication -- Hadri Law offers boutique attention with big-firm calibre. Our lawyers serve clients in English, French, Spanish, and Catalan, making us well-suited for cross-border documents and international clients across the GTA, Spain, France, Latin America, and beyond.
Call (437) 974-2374 for a free consultation, or book online at calendly.com/hadrilaw/free-consultation.
First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, Suite 5700, Toronto, ON M5X 1C7
This content provides general information and is not legal advice. Every situation is different. Contact a lawyer to discuss your specific circumstances.
