Commissioner of Oaths · Ontario
Commissioner of oaths: what they do, and when you need one.
A Commissioner for Taking Affidavits administers oaths, affirmations and statutory declarations. In Ontario, eligible commissioning can be done by video under O. Reg. 431/20 — which is what most people mean by "online notary".
Illustrative sceneA commissioner of oaths can
- Administers oaths and affirmations for affidavits
- Takes statutory declarations
- Completes and signs the jurat
- Marks exhibits attached to an affidavit
A commissioner of oaths can't
- Certify true copies of documents
- Apply a notarial seal or issue notarial certificates
- Authenticate documents for use outside Ontario
- Give legal advice (unless also a lawyer)
Online?
Yes — for eligible documents, by live two-way video with the signer physically in Ontario. Ontario online status: live.
Who holds the authority
Lawyers and paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Ontario are commissioners by virtue of office; others are appointed under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, often for a specific purpose or term.
Which do I need?
Commissioner vs notary at a glance
| You need to… | Commissioner | Notary public | Online in Ontario? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swear an affidavit for court | Yes | Yes | Often — court rules decide acceptance |
| Make a statutory declaration | Yes | Yes | Yes, where eligible |
| Certify a true copy of a passport or diploma | No | Yes | No — original must be seen |
| Have a signature witnessed with a seal | No | Yes | No — in person |
| Use a document outside Ontario (apostille) | No | Yes, then ODS/GAC | Notarial step in person; filing coordinated |
| Sign a Will or Power of Attorney | Witnessing rules apply | Witnessing rules apply | Lawyer-supervised; province rules |
Read the full guide: Commissioner of Oaths vs Notary Public: what's the difference?.
Services
Services performed by a commissioner of oaths
FAQ
Commissioner of Oaths questions
- Jurat
- The clause at the end of an affidavit stating when, where and before whom it was sworn or affirmed, completed and signed by the commissioner.
- Deponent
- The person who makes and swears or affirms an affidavit or declaration.
- Oath / affirmation
- An oath is a religious promise to tell the truth; an affirmation is a solemn non-religious promise. Both carry equal legal weight and perjury consequences.
- Certified true copy
- A photocopy that a notary has compared against an original document and certified as a true and complete reproduction.
- Commissioning
- The act of administering an oath, affirmation or declaration and completing the jurat so a document is properly sworn.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Acceptance of any document is always the receiving organization's decision. Prices shown exclude applicable tax unless stated.