Find answers to your most frequently asked questions...
1 - Do I have to be present for the appointment? Can someone act on my behalf?
For the notarization of signatures on documents or the commissioning of affidavits and statutory declarations, the person whose name appears on the documents must appear before us to sign and date the documents. However, for certified true copies of documents, anyone may attend the appointment on behalf of the person whose name appears on the documents. That person will be required to have two (2) valid pieces of government-issued identification.
2 - How can I be certain that Notary2u Mobile Notary's services are provided by a qualified individual?
All Notary2u consultants are verified and confirmed for appointments in their respective province, jurisdiction and region. A copy of each consultants appointment is available for viewing at time of meeting. Notary2u Mobile Notary does not provide legal advice nor does it draft documents on behalf of clients.
Note: All documents must be filled out correctly by client and also must be in order. It is not the notaries responsibility to ensure all documents are filled out correctly and in the appropriate spaces as each and every document is different. There is a $20 fee + Km charge to come and redo documents.
3 - How long does it take to have my documents certified, notarized or commissioned?
In most cases, appointments can be completed within 10-20 minutes.
4 - What is a notary public?
A notary public is a person (usually a lawyer) who can serve as an official witness to the execution (signing) of any document and attest to the fact that the signature is that of the person named in the document. A notary public may also certify copies of original documents as being true copies. Additionally, in most provinces, a notary public has and may exercise the powers of a commissioner for taking affidavits.
However, it is important to note that a notary public does not read through or evaluate documents before they are signed and does not certify that original documents are legitimate.
Notaries public in all provinces derive their authority from the Notaries Act. Their seal and signature are registered with their respective Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
5 - What is a commissioner for taking affidavits?
“A commissioner for taking affidavits in and for the courts in Alberta” or other provinces is a person that can commission affidavits and statutory declarations by administering the required oath, affirmation or declaration and satisfying himself or herself of the genuineness of the signature of the person taking the oath, affirmation or declaration. A commissioner for taking affidavits does not certify that the statements made in an affidavit or statutory declaration are true, only that the affidavit or statutory declaration has been duly commissioned.
Commissioners for taking affidavits in Alberta or other provinces derive their authority from the Notaries and Commissioners Act or the Notaries Public Regulation, the act and regulation govern.
6 - What is an affidavit?
An affidavit is a document that contains written statements of fact that are verified by the swearing of an oath, or by affirmation, by the person making the statements (i.e. the deponent). The deponent must be physically present before a notary public or commissioner for taking affidavits.
An oath is a promise to a Supreme Being, or something sacred to the person taking the oath, while an affirmation is a pledge on one’s personal honor. Both are legally binding promises to tell the truth and subject the oath-taker or affirmant to penalties for perjury.
Affidavits can only be used when authorized by law.
7 - What is a statutory declaration?
A statutory declaration is a document that contains written statements of fact that are verified by solemn declaration by the person making the statements (i.e. the declarant). The declarant must be physically present before a notary public or commissioner for taking affidavits.
A solemn declaration has the same effect as an oath or affirmation and also subjects the declarant to penalties for perjury.
Statutory declarations are used when no law authorizes the use of an affidavit.
8 - Does Notary2u Mobile Notary have an office location?
No, we only provide mobile services. We can meet clients at any location of their choice in ALL cities and surrounding areas across Canada. (consult our
FEES
section for more details).
9 - Does Notary2u Mobile Notary guarantee its work?
Yes, we guarantee that if there are any problems with our certifications, notarizations or commissions, we will redo them free of charge.
However, clients are responsible for ensuring that they use the correct forms, are familiar with the forms’ requirements and complete them properly. Notary2u Mobile Notary does not accept liability for clients who fail to do this.
If there are any problems with our certifications, notarizations or commissions as a result of errors made by clients, we will redo them for a nominal fee of $20 (plus $3 for each km travelled beyond our service area).
10 - Does Notary2u Mobile Notary provide legal advice or draft documents?
No, we do not provide legal advice nor do we draft documents on behalf of clients. We only provide notary public and commissioner for taking affidavits and statutory declarations services. No solicitor-client relationship is established by virtue of the delivery of these services.
Clients are always responsible for reviewing the contents of their documents and seeking guidance from legal counsel concerning their specific legal matter. If you require legal advice and need to find a lawyer, you can consult the Law Society of Upper Canada’s online Referral Service or Lawyer and Paralegal Directory.
11 - Does Notary2u Mobile Notary provide document authentication and legalization services?
No, we do not currently offer these services. However, there are numerous other businesses in your city who will get documents authenticated and legalized on a client’s behalf.
12 - When must documents be authenticated and legalized?
Canadian documents must usually be authenticated and legalized when they need to be legally recognized in a foreign country. After a Canadian document has been notarized or certified as a true copy, the signature and seal of the notary public is authenticated by the Authentication and Service of Documents Section (JLAC) at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development in Ottawa, or by the Official Documents Services Section (ODS) at the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services in Toronto, and subsequently legalized by the embassy or consulate of the foreign country in which the documents are to be used.
Once Canadian documents have been notarized or certified as true copies, anyone can request to have the signature and seal of the notary public authenticated by JLAC or Respective Provincial Authority and legalized by the relevant embassy or consulate. There is no requirement that this be done by a notary public, commissioner for taking affidavits or other professional. Please note that ODS charges a fee for the authentication of documents (JLAC does not) and that most embassies or consulates charge fees for the legalization of documents.
13 - Can documents that have been notarized or certified by Notary2u Mobile Notary be authenticated?
Yes, our notaries public, has a specimen of their notarial signature and seal on file with both JLAC and ODS and their respective governing body such that documents bearing his/her signature and seal can be authenticated.