comparison · Oct 21, 2026 · 13 min read

Notary Public Services in London: A 2026 Guide

Compare notary public services in London, Ontario. Find local providers, pricing, document requirements, and online options. Book same-day appointments.

Notary Public Services in London: A 2026 Guide

Table of Contents

Last Updated: October 21, 2026

Notary Public Services Available in London

When you need a document notarized in London, the question is which service fits your timeline, budget, and accessibility. (Source: the Ontario Notaries Act)

A notary public in Ontario is a commissioned officer who verifies signatures, administers oaths, and certifies documents for legal matters, travel consent, property transactions, and government applications. The right notary public london in Ontario provider depends on your urgency, location, and document complexity.

Walk-In and In-Person Options

Walk-in notaries remain the traditional choice for face-to-face service.

The advantage: no appointment, immediate turnaround, and in-person service. The trade-off: limited hours, travel time, and busy-period waits.

Mobile and Remote Services

Mobile notaries come to you, eliminating the commute for clients with mobility challenges or tight schedules, but confirm the service area, since coverage varies.

For maximum convenience, The Online Notary connects you with commissioned and licensed Canadian notaries via secure video, ideal for unpredictable schedules, childcare, or remote areas. It operates 7 AM to 11 PM, including weekends.

Pro Tip Mobile and remote services often charge travel fees or require minimum document counts. Confirm pricing before booking, especially if you only need one document notarized.

Online Notary Ontario: Remote Notarization Made Simple

Remote notarization has changed who can access these services: instead of timing your schedule around office hours, you notarize on your terms.

Professional attending a remote notary public London in Ontario video call via laptop in a bright home office
Professional attending a remote notary public London in Ontario video call via laptop in a bright home office

The Online Notary uses bank-grade identity verification and encrypted video.

This works for affidavits, statutory declarations, travel consent letters, certified copies, and most documents requiring notarization. Government and financial institutions increasingly accept digital seals, though confirm with the recipient first.

The key advantage: same-day availability, no travel, no printing, and transparent pricing. The consideration: you need reliable internet and a camera-enabled device.

Best For Working professionals needing notarization during lunch breaks or evenings, parents managing multiple commitments, individuals in remote areas of Ontario, and Canadians living abroad.

Understanding Notary Fees and Pricing

Notary fees in Ontario aren't set by a single government tariff, so two providers can quote different amounts for the same document. Understand the structure behind the quote before you book; the table below summarizes common pricing patterns, but confirm current rates directly.

Fee component Typical pattern What to confirm before booking
First document A flat base fee for a simple notarization Whether the base fee includes the seal, certificate, and one signing
Additional documents in the same appointment A reduced per-document rate Whether the discount applies only when documents are signed in one sitting
Complex affidavits or declarations A higher fee when the notary must review exhibits or draft language Whether review time is billed separately from the signing
Mobile or travel service A travel surcharge added to the document fee The service radius and whether the surcharge is flat or distance-based
Remote or online notarization A per-document or per-session platform fee Whether identity verification and the digital seal are included
Apostille or authentication support A separate service fee plus government processing Whether the provider handles submission or only notarizes the signature
Rush or after-hours service A premium for same-day, evening, or weekend appointments Whether the premium is flat or a percentage of the base fee

Per-Document Pricing in Practice

Most local notaries charge per document, often with a tiered structure that rewards bringing multiple documents to one appointment.

Walk-in offices often post a fixed per-document fee, sometimes with a volume discount. Not every provider publishes pricing, so a phone call or email before you go remains the most reliable way to confirm the total.

What Affects Your Total Cost

Several factors move the final amount:

  • Document complexity. A simple statutory declaration usually costs less than an affidavit requiring the notary to review exhibits, confirm conditional language, or verify facts with a third party. If the notary must research a specific requirement, expect an additional fee.
  • Number of documents. Batching documents into one appointment is the most reliable way to reduce per-document cost, since most tiered structures apply only within a single session.
  • Travel. Mobile notaries commonly add a travel surcharge outside their core service area. Remote notarization removes travel entirely.
  • Timing. Same-day, evening, and weekend appointments may carry a premium at some offices, while others keep flat-rate pricing regardless of timing.
  • Format and output. Paper documents with wet signatures, certified copies, and digital seals may be priced differently depending on copies needed and whether the provider must print or courier them.
  • Apostille or authentication. If your document is headed abroad, the notarization fee is only part of the cost; government authentication and any courier or submission service add to the total.
Pro Tip Ask for the all-in total before your appointment: base fee, each additional document, travel or after-hours surcharge, and any apostille or courier cost. A provider who can quote a single number up front is easier to compare than one who quotes only the first-document rate.
Watch Out A low first-document fee can mask a higher per-document rate for the rest of your package. If you have three or more documents, compare the total for your full set rather than the headline first-document price.

How to Compare Quotes

Give every provider the same information: document type, number of documents, whether witnesses will attend, preferred date and time, and whether the document is for use outside Canada. With identical inputs, quotes become directly comparable. Ask whether the quote includes the notarial certificate, seal, and copies, and whether GST/HST applies; keep written confirmation in case the invoice differs.

Document Notarization: What You Need to Know

Not every document needs the same service, and not every provider offers every service. The checklist below maps common documents to the service usually required and the preparation that prevents a failed appointment. Confirm with the receiving institution first, because requirements vary by recipient.

Document Service usually required What to bring or prepare
Travel consent letter for a minor Notarized signature of each consenting parent or guardian Government-issued photo ID for each signer; the child's passport or birth certificate details; the travel dates and destination
Affidavit (sworn statement) Commissioner of oaths or notary public, depending on the recipient Photo ID; the affidavit form, ideally completed but unsigned; any exhibits referenced in the text
Statutory declaration Commissioner of oaths or notary public Photo ID; the declaration form, unsigned; a clear understanding of the facts being declared
Certified copy of an original document Notary public The original document plus the copy to be certified; photo ID
Power of attorney Notary public, often with witnesses Photo ID; the completed but unsigned document; any required witnesses
Loan or real estate closing documents Notary public, sometimes with lender-specific instructions Photo ID; lender instructions; all pages of the package
Consent form for medical or educational purposes Notary public or commissioner, depending on the institution Photo ID; the form, unsigned; the institution's instructions
OSAP or other educational funding declaration Commissioner of oaths or notary public Photo ID; the form, unsigned; any supporting schedules
Document for use outside Canada Notary public, plus authentication or apostille where required Photo ID; the original document; the destination country's requirements

Documents Notaries Commonly Handle

Common requests include travel consent letters, affidavits, statutory declarations, certified copies, powers of attorney, loan closing documents, consent forms, and commissioning for international use. Some notaries also support authentication or apostille requests, but not all do. If your document is headed abroad, confirm the provider can complete the authentication step or direct you to the office that handles it, and allow extra business days.

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Identification and Witness Requirements

Every notarized document requires proper identification. Bring government-issued photo ID with a signature, a driver's license, passport, or provincial ID card, and check the expiry date, since an expired document may be refused.

Some documents require witnesses. Travel consent letters typically need each consenting parent present, or a statutory declaration from a parent who cannot attend.

For remote notarization, identity verification happens during the video session: you show your ID to the camera and the notary confirms the details match your account.

Key Takeaway Before booking, confirm three things with the provider: the exact service your document requires, whether witnesses must attend, and whether the recipient accepts the format the provider issues. These three answers prevent most failed appointments.

Preparing for Your Appointment

A short preparation routine reduces delays:

  1. Confirm with the recipient what service and format they require.
  2. Complete the document but do not sign it until the notary or commissioner is present.
  3. Bring original identification and any originals referenced in the document.
  4. Bring your own witness if required and the provider does not supply one.
  5. Arrive with the correct number of copies and confirm whether copies are included in the fee.
  6. For remote appointments, test your camera, microphone, and internet connection beforehand.

If your document is for use outside Canada, ask about authentication or apostille timing when you book the notarization, so the two steps are sequenced correctly.

Notary Public vs. Commissioner of Oaths

These terms create confusion, but they're not identical. A notary public is appointed by the province and can notarize signatures, administer oaths, and certify documents, regulated by provincial law (Information for notaries public in Ontario). A commissioner of oaths has a narrower scope: they administer oaths and affirmations but cannot notarize signatures in the same way (Find a notary public or commissioner of oaths for taking affidavits).

For most common needs, travel consent, affidavits, statutory declarations, either works. However, if your document specifically requires "notarization," confirm the provider is a notary public, not solely a commissioner of oaths. The Online Notary connects you exclusively with commissioned and licensed Canadian notaries, eliminating this ambiguity.

Key Takeaway When booking, ask explicitly: "Are you a notary public commissioned in Ontario?" This one question prevents booking errors.

How to Choose the Right Notary Service for Your Needs

Selecting between walk-in, mobile, and remote notarization depends on speed, accessibility, and compliance.

Speed and Availability

If you need notarization today, The Online Notary offers same-day appointments as late as 11 PM, while traditional offices may have limited hours. Walk-in services are fastest if you're available during business hours and nearby, no appointment, though you might wait. Mobile notaries require advance booking but eliminate travel time. For urgent matters like legal deadlines, visa applications, or property closings, remote notarization's extended hours and same-day availability often win.

Accessibility and Service Area

Outside these areas or with mobility challenges, mobile or remote services become essential. Canadians living abroad cannot use local walk-in services, and remote areas of Ontario often lack local notaries, in both cases, remote notarization through The Online Notary is the practical option.

Document Format and Compliance

Some institutions require specific formats: banks may demand original wet signatures on paper, government agencies increasingly accept digital seals from recognized platforms, and immigration applications sometimes specify requirements.


Choosing the right notary public london in Ontario depends on balancing convenience, cost, and compliance.

The Online Notary's bank-grade identity verification, encrypted video, and transparent pricing make it ideal for professionals, parents, students, and anyone seeking secure, accessible notarization without travel or paperwork. Book online and notarize documents in minutes from anywhere in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a document notarized online in Ontario?

Yes. Online notary services connect you with commissioned and licensed Canadian notaries via secure video call. The notary verifies your identity, witnesses your signature, and applies a tamper-evident digital seal. The process complies with Ontario regulations and produces documents accepted by government agencies, banks, and legal institutions. Online notarization is fastest for those unable to visit an office during business hours.

What identification do I need to have a document notarized?

You must bring valid government-issued photo identification such as a passport, driver's license, or health card. The notary will verify your identity in person or on video before proceeding. If you are applying for a visa or dealing with international documents, confirm with your receiving institution that your specific ID type will be accepted. Some transactions may require additional documentation or witness presence.

How much does document notarization cost?

Notary fees vary by provider. Local walk-in services typically charge per document, often with a tiered structure for additional documents during the same appointment. Online services offer transparent, flat-rate pricing; visit The Online Notary pricing page for current rates. Costs may increase for mobile service, rush appointments, or international documents. Always confirm the total fee before booking.

What is the difference between a notary public and a commissioner of oaths?

A notary public verifies identity and witnesses signatures on documents, often for international use or financial transactions. A commissioner of oaths administers oaths and statutory declarations, commonly used for legal affidavits and court documents. Both are licensed and regulated in Ontario. The document you need will determine which professional is required; when in doubt, contact the receiving institution or your notary service to confirm.

Ready to notarize online?

Booking takes a minute, and most appointments are completed in 10–15 minutes.