Real-estate signing documents
Witnessing and notarizing real-estate paperwork.
Can I have a signature witnessed online in Ontario?
We confirm this with you.
Witnessing a signature requires the professional to observe the signing in person, so general signature witnessing and notarial authentication are done at an in-person appointment. We confirm the format for your document before you book.
- In-person appointment
- Wet-ink signature
- Government photo ID
How it works with enotarypublic
You bring the unsigned document and photo ID to a GTA office. The notary or witness observes the signing and applies the seal.
Foreign use: Documents for use abroad often need a notary's seal and a later apostille or legalization, and many institutions require wet ink.
General legal information for Ontario residents, not formal legal advice.
What this covers
Real-estate transactions can involve documents that must be signed in the presence of a notary and, sometimes, sealed. We witness and notarize these in person; documents requiring legal advice should be reviewed by your lawyer.
When you’d need it
- Signing authorizations for a closing
- Documents for an out-of-town purchase
- Mortgage or title paperwork requiring notarization
- Foreign property transactions
General information only — not legal advice. Whether this can be completed online depends on the document and the receiving institution; we confirm before you book.
In-person notarization — common questions
When do I need in-person notarization?▾
When an institution or foreign authority requires a wet-ink signature and an embossed seal on the original, or for services that cannot be done by video — such as general signature witnessing and certified true copies.
What do I bring to the appointment?▾
Valid government-issued photo ID, the original document, and any exhibits referenced in it.
Do I sign before I arrive?▾
No. In most cases you sign in front of the commissioner or notary, who witnesses the signing and applies the seal.
Can you help with an apostille afterward?▾
Yes. Documents for use abroad often need an apostille or authentication and legalization after the notarial step, and we can prepare that.
More general questions are answered on our FAQ page.