From upload to sealed document, in one video call.
Here's exactly what happens when you notarize a document online with a commissioned Canadian notary public.
Upload your document
Securely upload the PDF or scan of the document you need notarized online. Not sure it qualifies for remote notarization? We'll confirm before you book.
Book your appointment
Pick a time on our live calendar — often within the hour, including evenings and weekends. You'll get a confirmation with your video link.
Verify your identity
Before the call, you'll complete a short identity check using a government-issued photo ID and a knowledge-based verification step, as required for remote online notarization.
Meet your notary on live video
Join a secure, recorded video call with a commissioned notary public. They'll confirm your identity, review the document with you, and watch you sign in real time.
Receive your notarized document
Your notary applies their digital seal, signature, and notarial certificate. You'll receive the completed, notarized file by email, typically within minutes of your call ending.
What you'll need for your appointment
- A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's licence, passport, or provincial ID)
- A device with a camera, microphone, and stable internet connection
- The unsigned document, ready to sign live on camera
- A quiet, private space for a 10–15 minute video call
What online notarization actually is
Online notarization — also called remote online notarization, or RON — lets a commissioned notary public witness your signature and apply their official seal over a live video call, instead of meeting you in person. The notary confirms your identity, watches you sign the document in real time, and then attaches a notarial certificate, signature, and seal to the finished file. The result is a legally recognized notarized document, produced without either of you leaving your desk.
The process was built around the same safeguards as a traditional appointment. You still present valid government photo identification, you still sign in the notary's presence, and the notary still keeps a record of the act. The difference is simply that "presence" happens through secure two-way video, and the session is recorded to create a verifiable audit trail — a level of documentation that an in-person meeting rarely produces.
Why people choose to notarize online
Booking a remote appointment removes the two things that make notarization frustrating: travel and waiting. Instead of finding a nearby office, matching their hours, and sitting in a queue, you pick a slot on a live calendar — frequently within the hour, including evenings and weekends — and join from your phone or laptop. It is especially useful if you live in a rural community, have limited mobility, are caring for children at home, or need a document notarized on a tight deadline.
How long the whole process takes
Most people go from uploading a document to receiving the sealed file in under 30 minutes, and the live call itself usually runs 10 to 15 minutes. Preparing ahead — having your ID ready and your document unsigned — is the single biggest factor in keeping the appointment short. If you are unsure whether your document is eligible for remote notarization, send it to us first; confirming eligibility before you book prevents the most common delay.
Common questions about the process
Is a document notarized online legally valid?
Yes. When performed by a commissioned notary following your province's remote notarization rules, an online notarization carries the same legal weight as an in-person one. The recorded session and detailed audit trail can make it easier to demonstrate that the act was performed correctly.
Do I need to print or sign the document beforehand?
No — in most cases you should not sign in advance. The notary must witness your signature during the call, so bring the document unsigned unless we advise you otherwise for your specific document type.
What identification is accepted?
A valid, government-issued photo ID such as a driver's licence, passport, or provincial photo card. The name on your ID should match the name on the document being notarized.
What if my internet connection drops during the call?
The notary will pause and reconnect with you. Because the act is only complete once identity, signing, and sealing are all finished, a brief interruption simply means you resume where you left off — nothing is finalized until every step is verified.