The Ministry of the Attorney General processes applications for members of the public (who are not lawyers) who wish to be appointed commissioners for taking affidavits or non-lawyer notaries public in Ontario.

A commissioner for taking affidavits may take affidavits and administer other legal oaths, affirmations or declarations within or outside Ontario, or subject to any territorial limit the Attorney General may specify.

A non-lawyer notary public has all the powers of a commissioner for taking affidavits, and can also verify that signatures, marks and copies of documents are true or genuine.

For Lawyers:

Ontario lawyers who wish to be appointed as notaries public must contact the Ministry of Government Services by calling (416) 325-8416, or visiting their website.

The following information about the commissioner for taking affidavits and notary public application process is not legal advice.

Application Forms and Information Guides

Commissioner for Taking Affidavits:

• General Application Form available in accessible HTML or PDF
• Student-at-Law/Law Student Application Form available in accessible HTML or PDF
• Renewal Guide available in accessible HTML or PDF
• Guide for Newly Appointed Commissioners for Taking Affidavits in PDF

Non-Lawyer Notary Public:

• Application Form available in accessible HTML or PDF
• Reappointment Guide available in accessible HTML or PDF

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

For more information, please contact:

Ministry of the Attorney General
Legal Appointments
c/o Ministry of Government Services
77 Wellesley St W, BOX 720
Toronto ON M7A 1N3

Phone:  (416) 326-4064
Fax:  (416) 326-4065

Toll-Free: 1-800-518-7901
E-mail:  appointments@ontario.ca
Web:  ontario.ca/attorneygeneral

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.