What a Notary Does in Canada (and What It Costs)

If someone has told you a document needs to be notarized, you may be wondering exactly what that means, who can do it, and what it will cost. In Canada, the answer depends heavily on which province you live in. A notary in British Columbia is a different thing from a *notaire* in Quebec, which is different again from a notary public in Ontario or Alberta. This guide walks through what a notary does, how the role varies across the country, the documents people most often need help with, and what you can typically expect to pay in 2026.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules, titles, and fees vary by province and change over time. For your specific situation, contact a notary, lawyer, or the relevant provincial regulator directly.

Notary public vs. commissioner of oaths

These two roles are often confused because both can witness you signing a sworn document, but they are not the same thing. A commissioner of oaths (sometimes called a commissioner for taking affidavits) is authorized to administer oaths, affirmations, and declarations on documents intended for use within their province. Many professionals, such as lawyers and certain government employees, are commissioners automatically by virtue of their role.

A notary public generally has broader authority. In addition to administering oaths, a notary public can certify true copies of original documents and perform other notarial acts, and their seal is more widely recognized for documents used outside the province or internationally. In short: a commissioner mainly witnesses sworn statements for local use, while a notary's certification carries more weight across borders.

• Commissioner of oaths: administers oaths and witnesses affidavits/statutory declarations, usually for use within Canada.
• Notary public: can also certify true copies and notarize documents, with broader recognition for international use.

Big province-by-province differences

Canada has no single national definition of a notary. The most important differences are in British Columbia and Quebec, so it is worth knowing which system applies to you.

British Columbia: a distinct regulated profession

In British Columbia, notaries public are a separate, regulated profession governed by the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia. BC notaries are not simply lawyers who notarize on the side; they complete a dedicated education program and can provide a range of non-contentious legal services. These typically include residential and commercial real estate conveyancing (purchases, sales, and mortgage refinancing), preparing wills, powers of attorney, and representation agreements, as well as standard notarizations and certified copies.

Quebec: the notaire as a civil-law legal professional

Quebec uses a civil-law system, and a Quebec notaire is a full legal professional governed by the Chambre des notaires du Québec. Notaires can give legal advice in their areas of expertise and prepare "authentic acts" such as wills, mortgages, and marriage contracts. Authentic documents have a special legal status that makes them hard to challenge. Notaires commonly handle real estate transactions as a neutral party, and in non-contested matters can represent parties in certain procedures. They generally cannot represent clients in contested court cases the way a lawyer does.

Most other provinces: often a lawyer

In most other provinces, including Ontario, Alberta, and the Prairies, a notary public is frequently a lawyer (lawyers are typically notaries by virtue of their role), though some non-lawyers are also appointed notaries for specific purposes. Here the role is usually limited to notarial acts such as witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and certifying copies, rather than the broader real estate and estate-planning work BC notaries and Quebec notaires can do.

Common documents people get notarized

Most people only encounter a notary or commissioner when life requires a formal document. The most frequent needs include:

• Travel consent letters, often for a child travelling without both parents.
• Statutory declarations and affidavits for court, insurance, or government forms.
• Certified true copies of passports, diplomas, or other originals (common for immigration, school, or licensing).
• Real estate documents, including transfers and mortgage paperwork (especially in BC and Quebec).
• Powers of attorney and, in some provinces, wills.

What does it cost?

Fees vary by province and provider, and are not always government-regulated. In British Columbia and Alberta, for example, notaries generally set their own fees rather than following a fixed government schedule. As a rough 2026 guide, a simple notarization or commissioning often starts around $15 to $40 for the first document, with additional documents in the same appointment costing less (commonly $10 to $25 each).

Preparing and administering an affidavit or statutory declaration, where the document is drafted as well as sworn, often runs roughly $30 to $60. More involved or specialized work, such as multi-page packages, certified copies for international use, or complex legal documents, can run substantially higher, sometimes into the hundreds. Larger matters such as real estate conveyancing or will preparation are quoted separately and cost considerably more. Always confirm the fee before your appointment.

How to find a notary in Canada

Start by confirming what your document actually requires: a simple witnessed signature may only need a commissioner of oaths, while a certified copy or an internationally bound document usually needs a notary public. From there, your options depend on your province. In BC, you can search members of the Society of Notaries Public; in Quebec, the Chambre des notaires maintains a directory of notaires; elsewhere, many lawyers and dedicated notary offices offer walk-in and online services.

On Experts.ca, you can browse notaries and related professional services by city and province to find someone local. Call ahead to confirm they handle your specific document type, ask about the fee, and check what identification and originals to bring so your appointment goes smoothly.

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Ready to hire? Browse vetted notaries across Canada on Experts.ca.