by LAWPRO

The following notice was sent on February 26, 2025:

The Law Society of Ontario has been made aware of a proliferation of online notary services being offered in Ontario. The Notaries Act does not permit notaries to exercise their powers without being in the person’s physical presence, unless regulations so provide. To date, no such regulations have been made by the Ontario government.

Licensees offering online notary services may be subject to regulatory action by the Law Society. Further, documents notarized in this manner may be invalid and may not be useable for their intended purpose.

The use of remote or virtual signing and witnessing may be used to complete or witness certain documents, such as administering and taking of oaths under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act and witnessing wills under the Succession Law Reform Act, if the required conditions are met. Licensees are encouraged to review their practices to ensure compliance with the Notaries Act and any other applicable laws.

For more information on notary services and the process requirements for becoming a notary public and notarizing documents in Ontario, see Notary public.

The Law Society’s Practice Management Helpline is also available to provide assistance to licensees with questions or concerns and can be contacted at 416-947-3315 or toll free at 1-800-668-7380, extension 3315.

Categories: Announcements