The difference
Notary Public, or Commissioner of Oaths?
These two get mixed up constantly, and the person who mixes them up is usually the one being sent back to do it again. Here is the difference in plain terms. Latoya Wallace is both, so if you come to us you cannot pick the wrong one.
Commissioner of Oaths
Within Ontario
- Administers oaths, affirmations and statutory declarations
- Witnesses and signs sworn affidavits and declarations
- Documents are valid for use within Ontario only: local court forms, government applications, legal filings
- The authority comes from the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act
Notary Public
Ontario and beyond
- Everything a Commissioner of Oaths can do, plus more
- Certifies true copies of original documents
- Applies an official notarial seal recognised outside Ontario
- Authenticates documents for international use: foreign courts, embassies, immigration authorities, cross-border business
- The authority comes from the Notaries Act
In short: a Notary Public can do everything a Commissioner can do, plus certify true copies and authenticate documents for use outside Ontario.
Which one do I need?
- Your document is for a court, ministry or employer in Ontario
A Commissioner of Oaths is enough. Most affidavits and statutory declarations sit here. - You need a certified true copy of a passport, diploma or licence
That is a Notary Public. A Commissioner cannot certify copies. - Your document is going outside Canada, to an embassy, a foreign court or an immigration authority
A Notary Public, and possibly an apostille or authentication on top. Tell us the destination country. - You genuinely do not know
Book the free fifteen-minute consultation. Working this out is what it is for, and it costs nothing.