Commissioning

The Township of Springwater provides Commissioner of Oath services for documents such as affidavits and statutory declarations. You are responsible for the content and correctness of the document you are getting commissioned and are swearing that the information is true and correct.

You are encouraged to make an appointment for commissioning services to ensure a commissioner will be available to help you. To book an appointment contact the Clerk's Department at 705-728-4784 x2304 or by email at clerks@springwater.ca

Notary Public versus Commissioner

A commissioner is not the same as a Notary Public. The Township does not have a Notary Public on staff. A commissioner can only administer oaths or declarations and take affidavits. A Notary Public, under the Notaries Act, can commission and certify documents as true copies to verify signatures. If you require a document to be “notarized” as opposed to “commissioned”, or you require certified true copies of a document you will need to contact a private lawyer or a Notary Public.

Fee

The fee for commissioning a document is $15.00.

Commissioning process

Bring a current, original piece of government issued photo identification with a photo and signature on it.
The document must be complete before signing - no information can be added after the Commissioner has signed and stamped the document.
Sign documents in the presence of the commissioner. Do not sign the document prior to meeting with a commissioner.
Township staff will not commission documents that are in any language other than English.
You must be 18 years of age to take an oath in regard to a document.
If a witness is required, bring someone who knows you. The witness must not be your spouse, child or relative. They may need to swear an Affidavit of Witness that you are who you claim to be and that they saw you sign the document.

Types of Acceptable ID

Passport - Canadian/Foreign
Driver's license or enhanced driver's license
Canadian Citizenship Card with photo
Canadian Permanent Resident card with signature
Record of Landing
Confirmation of Permanent Resident accompanied by a valid passport from country of origin
Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card
Temporary Resident's Permit
Visitor Record
Employment Authorization/Work Permit
Student Authorization/Study Permit

Examples of documents we may be able to commission:

Consent letters for children travelling out of the country
Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Vaccination Exemption
Insurance claim forms
Vehicle transfers - Sworn statements for a transfer of a used vehicle in the Province of Ontario
Municipal Planning Applications related to matters within the geographical limits of the Municipality
Legal Name Change Applications
Name Change and/or Sex Change documents and applications
Declaration Affirming Parentage
Election to Change Name of Child under the age of 12 (Service Ontario form)
Pension purposes - Attestations a person is alive and confirming residency
Delayed birth registrations
Application to amend birth registrations
Lost passport
Common law or single status affidavits
Construction Act documents for progress and/or completion

Examples of documents that we cannot commission:

Divorce, separation or Cohabitation documents/agreements
Power of attorney documents
Real estate documents, including transfer of land
Wills, Living Wills, Codicils (amendments) to Wills
Certified True Copies
Custody documents
Estate Settlement documents
Financial Documents (Banking information, RRSP etc.)
Court, Legal and/or Civil issues related documents

We cannot guarantee that we can commission documents until we see them - we reserve the right to refuse commissioning services of any document.