Document guide · Affidavits

How to notarize an affidavit online in Canada.

An affidavit is a written statement you swear or affirm is true. Here is exactly how the remote process works, what makes an affidavit valid, and the mistakes that cause documents to be rejected.

What you need before the call

  • Your completed affidavit — unsigned
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Any exhibits referred to in the body
  • A device with a working camera and microphone

Do not sign it in advance

The notary must witness your signature. An affidavit signed before the appointment has to be re-signed on camera, so leave the signature line blank until the notary tells you to sign.

Get your affidavit sworn today

Appointments run 7am–11pm, seven days a week. Most affidavit sessions take 10–15 minutes.

Not sure this applies to your situation? Ask us first — it’s free to check.

What an affidavit actually is

An affidavit is a statement of facts that you swear an oath or make a solemn affirmation about, in front of someone authorized to administer it. The notary or commissioner is not verifying that your statements are true — they are verifying that you are who you say you are, that you understood the oath, and that you signed voluntarily in their presence. That distinction matters: the content of the affidavit is your responsibility, and swearing something you know to be false is a criminal offence.

Because the notary's role is to witness rather than to draft, we cannot write your affidavit for you or advise on what it should say. If the wording carries legal consequences — a court filing, an immigration matter, an estate dispute — have a lawyer or paralegal prepare or review it first, then bring the finished document to your appointment.

Can an affidavit be sworn over video?

In most Canadian provinces, yes. Remote commissioning of affidavits is well established, and courts, government agencies, and financial institutions across the country routinely accept affidavits sworn by video call. The notary administers the oath live, watches you sign, and applies their signature, seal, and a jurat noting that the affidavit was sworn remotely.

There are limits. Some courts and tribunals have their own filing rules, and a small number of matters still require an in-person commissioning. If your affidavit is going to a specific court file or a government program, tell us which one when you book and we will confirm eligibility at no charge.

The appointment, step by step

  1. Upload the affidavit. Send the completed but unsigned document ahead of the call so the notary can review the format and check that the jurat and exhibit references are in order.
  2. Verify your identity. You will show government-issued photo ID on camera. The name on your ID must match the name in the affidavit.
  3. Take the oath. The notary asks whether you swear or affirm that the contents are true. Either option is valid; affirming is the non-religious equivalent and carries the same legal weight.
  4. Sign on camera. You sign while the notary watches, then the notary completes the jurat with the date, location, and their commission details.
  5. Receive the sworn affidavit. The finished document is emailed to you the same day, usually within minutes of the call ending.

Exhibits: the part people get wrong

If your affidavit refers to attachments — a contract, a bank statement, a screenshot — those are exhibits, and each one normally needs to be marked and initialled by the notary as part of the same appointment. Label them in the body of the affidavit ("attached as Exhibit A") and have every exhibit ready to show. Exhibits are the most common reason an appointment runs long or a document comes back for correction, so it is worth organizing them in order beforehand.

Common reasons an affidavit gets rejected

  • Signed in advance. The notary did not witness it, so the jurat would be false.
  • Name mismatch. The affidavit says "Mike" but the ID says "Michael" — use your full legal name.
  • Blank spaces left in the body. Fill in every date, amount, and name before the call.
  • Unmarked exhibits. Attachments referenced but never marked as exhibits.
  • Wrong jurisdiction. The affidavit is for a province where the notary is not commissioned.

What it costs

A single affidavit with one signer is $49.99 CAD. Each additional page or exhibit handled in the same appointment is $26 CAD. There is a full breakdown on our cost of notarizing an affidavit page, and general figures on the pricing page.

Affidavit questions

Do I need a lawyer to prepare my affidavit?

Not always. For straightforward factual statements many people draft their own. But because a notary can witness an affidavit without advising on its contents, anything with legal consequences — court filings, immigration, estate matters — is worth having a lawyer or paralegal review first.

What is the difference between swearing and affirming?

Swearing is a religious oath; affirming is a solemn non-religious declaration. They carry identical legal weight, and you can choose either. The notary will note which one you used in the jurat.

Can I swear an affidavit for use in a different province?

Usually, but it depends on the receiving court or agency. We match you with a notary commissioned in the appropriate province. Tell us where the affidavit is being filed when you book so we can confirm before you pay.

How many people can swear one affidavit?

An affidavit is sworn by a single deponent. If two people each need to give evidence, that is two affidavits and two oaths, though they can often be handled in the same appointment.

Is a remotely sworn affidavit accepted in court?

In most provinces yes, and it has been common practice for several years. Some courts have specific filing formats, so if the affidavit is destined for a particular court file, let us know which one and we will confirm the requirements first.

Related guides

Ready to swear your affidavit?

Book a licensed Canadian notary over live video and have your sworn affidavit back the same day.