Swearing an affidavit online in Ontario.

Ontario's virtual commissioning framework

Ontario permits a commissioner for taking affidavits to administer an oath or solemn affirmation over live video, provided identity is properly verified and the session follows the required safeguards. This is now routine rather than exceptional: affidavits sworn remotely are widely accepted by Ontario courts, provincial ministries, and financial institutions.

The commissioner's role is narrow and worth understanding. They confirm you are who you say you are, that you understood the oath or affirmation, and that you signed voluntarily while they watched. They do not verify that the contents of your affidavit are true — that responsibility is yours, and knowingly swearing something false is a criminal offence.

What the jurat says about a remote oath

The jurat is the block at the end of an affidavit recording where, when, and before whom it was sworn. For a remotely commissioned Ontario affidavit, the jurat also notes that the oath was administered by video conference. Some people worry this looks irregular; it does not. It is the expected form for virtual commissioning, and its absence would be the actual problem.

Exhibits, and why they cause most delays

If your affidavit refers to attachments — a lease, a bank statement, message screenshots — each is an exhibit that normally needs to be marked and initialled by the commissioner during the same appointment. Reference them in the body ("attached as Exhibit A"), then have each one ready to show on camera in order. Disorganized exhibits are the most common reason an Ontario appointment runs long or the document comes back for correction.

Where remote commissioning may not be enough

Individual Ontario courts and tribunals set their own filing rules, and a small number of matters still expect an in-person commissioning or a wet-ink original. Estate filings and certain land-registry matters are the usual examples. If your affidavit is destined for a specific court file, tribunal, or government program, tell us which one when you book — we confirm eligibility at no charge rather than selling you an appointment you cannot use.

Common reasons an Ontario affidavit is rejected

• Signed before the appointment. The commissioner did not witness it, so the jurat would be untrue.
• Name mismatch. Use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your photo ID.
• Blanks left in the body. Every date, amount, and name should be filled in beforehand.
• Exhibits referenced but never marked. Have them ready during the call.
• Wrong jurisdiction. An Ontario filing generally needs an Ontario-commissioned notary.

Cost

A single affidavit with one signer is $49.99 CAD, and each additional page or exhibit handled in the same appointment is $26 CAD. See the affidavit cost breakdown, the general affidavit guide, or the Ontario page.