Six Documents to Get Notarized in Ontario
Published on 29 August 2022, 07:22:56 AM
Identity theft is big business. Protect yours by getting important legal documents notarized by a flat fee notary public. Six documents you really ought to take to an Ontario notary service:
1. Marriage Affidavit
Getting married out of province is no big deal unless you need a copy of your marriage certificate in a hurry. When you just can’t wait for the original to be issued and mailed to you, make a notarized affidavit of marriage. Your affidavit is legally binding proof for court. It can be quickly and easily prepared by making a virtual notary video call or dropping by in person. You’ll need the date you were married and the names of your witnesses. Bring government-issued ID to verify your identity.
2. Travel Letter of Consent for Children
Canadian or foreign border services may deny you entry or exit if you travel alone with minor children (your own or others). Even children travelling with school, religious or sports groups can be questioned about who approved their travel. If you’re divorced, separated, a legal guardian, nanny or a single parent, intercept border hiccups before they occur. Taking a travel consent letter with you is evidence your partner or ex knows about the excursion and agrees with taking your child abroad or to a foreign country.
Travel letters are recommended for minors under 18 travelling alone or with friends or relatives. A letter confirms they have permission to travel and helps protect minors from being abducted or transported illegally across borders. While minors leaving Canada aren’t legally required to have a travel consent letter, they may be asked upon re-entry or when they arrive in or try to leave a foreign country. Once they are out of country, obtaining a permission letter can be time consuming and cause flight or travel delays.
Divorced or separated? Check before you make plans to travel outside Canada that your separation agreement, parenting plan or divorce order allows it. You may have to leave extra time to get travel permission from your ex or spouse or to go to court to challenge their decision if they deny you permission unreasonably.
Bring your travel information and government-issued ID to an Ontario notary public to draft and have your letter witnessed and notarized. You can connect with a virtual notary on a video conference call or attend in person. Notarizing the letter makes it a legally binding document, unlike a letter you have witnessed by others.
While you’re at it, have a look at the website for embassies or consulates in places you will be visiting and local airline, rail or bus services. Being well prepared is your best defence.
3. Affidavit of Divorce
Getting a divorce is a step-by-step process. Ontario’s family law rules require you and your spouse to file an affidavit of divorce along with your divorce application. The affidavit declares why you are divorcing: you have been separated for a year or more, for adultery or physical or mental cruelty. You can explain the parenting time and decision-making responsibility choices you are proposing and confirm that you have settled all of the issues between you.
4. Promissory Note
Lending money to others is tricky business. When you accept a promissory note from a friend, family member or colleague, get it notarized. It may not protect you in every clinch, but it will give you legal proof an agreement exists. A simple affidavit can be used to state how much money you are lending, when you expect it to be repaid and the interest rate, if any. The borrower’s signature is written confirmation they received the money. You can use the affidavit in court to get an order for repayment. IOUs are easy to create, but notarized affidavits are a formal acknowledgment that a debt exists.
5. Affidavit of Execution of Will or Codicil
Witnessing a will can call for preparation of an affidavit of execution. It’s evidence you watched while the will maker (or testator as they are called) signed the will and that they weren’t coerced or unduly influenced to sign. Your affidavit is filed with the will for the day it may be used in court by the deceased’s estate trustee.
6. Affidavit of Service
If you’ve ever been involved in a legal dispute, you’ve been served. Those legal documents you received by mail, email or courier were intended to allow you to respond in a timely way. The affidavit of service is completed and given to the court to show you received the documents and when. Getting it notarized is an essential step in ensuring you followed the Ontario court rules.
Notarize Documents by Video Call in Ontario
Axess Law’s Ontario notary public service can meet with you via video call to witness your e-signature. Online video conferences can be organized for day or evening, 7 days a week. Dial 1-877-522-9377 or in Greater Toronto 647-479-0118 or use our online booking form to make an appointment with a remote notary public. You can meet in person at our Ottawa, Toronto, Scarborough, Vaughan, Etobicoke, Mississauga Winston Churchill or Mississauga Heartland law offices.
Click here to learn more about Axess Law’s notary public services.
Photo by Prawny| Pixabay.
