Online vs. In-Person Notary – Which is Better?

The way Canadians access notary services has changed significantly over the past few years. You can now commission an affidavit from your kitchen table via a video call, or walk into a notary’s office near you and have it done in minutes. Both options exist, both are legal under the right circumstances, and both serve different needs.

But which one is better? The honest answer is that it depends entirely on what document you need notarized. There is a clear line between what can be handled online and what must be done in person. Getting that wrong can mean a rejected document, a wasted trip, or a missed deadline.

This guide gives you everything you need to make the right call.

Understanding the Two Options

Before comparing them, it helps to understand exactly what each option means, as the terminology is frequently misused.

In-person notarization means you physically attend a notary’s office, or a notary comes to you through a mobile service, and the notarial act takes place with both of you in the same room. This covers the full range of notarial services a notary public is authorized to perform.

Online commissioning means a commissioner of oaths conducts a session with you via audio-visual technology, such as a video call. In Ontario, this is permitted under Ontario Regulation 431/20 under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, but it applies only to affidavits and statutory declarations. It does not cover all notarial services. 

The Law Society of Ontario clarified in February 2025 that online notarization under the Notaries Act is not permitted. Remote sessions that people commonly call “online notarization” are technically online commissioning, and they are legally limited to those two document types.

This distinction is the single most important factor in deciding which option is right for you.

What Can Be Done Online?

A commissioner of oaths can remotely commission the following document types via video call.

• Affidavits, including affidavits of identity, affidavits of income, OSAP affidavits, and similar sworn statements.
• Statutory declarations, including common law declarations, declarations of marital status, name change declarations, and declarations of identity.

For these documents, online commissioning is legally valid, widely accepted, and increasingly preferred by people who want to skip the travel altogether. You show your government-issued photo ID to the camera, the commissioner administers the oath, the document is sent to you via email to digitally sign your document  and then the commissioner digitally signs the jurat confirming the session took place remotely.

The Notary Guy offers online commissioning for affidavits and statutory declarations. You can book an appointment at thenotaryguy.ca/booking and complete the entire process from your home, office, or anywhere with a camera and internet connection.

What Must Be Done In-Person?

The following notarial services cannot be completed remotely in any form. They require your physical presence before a notary public.

• Certified true copies require the notary to physically compare the original document to the copy side by side.
• Child travel consent letters require in-person identity verification and witnessing of signatures.
• Passport applications require physical inspection of original documents and in-person witnessing.
• Visa invitation letters require in-person witnessing.
• Licensing exam applications require in-person witnessing.
• Name change applications require in-person witnessing.
• Bank forms requiring declarations typically require in-person witnessing.
• Insurance forms require in-person witnessing.
• Employment ID verification requires in-person identity inspection.
• Documents requiring apostille or authentication require the notary’s in-person seal and signature for submission to government authentication bodies.

If your document falls into any of these categories, online commissioning is not an option, regardless of personal preference or convenience. You need to attend in person or arrange a mobile notary visit.

Comparing Online vs In-Person Notary

Let’s look in detail and find which one is right for you.

Convenience

Online commissioning wins on pure convenience for the documents it covers. No travel, no parking, no waiting room. You join a video call at the scheduled time, and the session typically lasts under 15 minutes. This is particularly useful for people with mobility limitations, demanding work schedules, or those who live some distance from a notary’s office.

In-person notarization requires travel, though this becomes far less of a burden when the notary has flexible hours, walk-in availability, and multiple locations close to where you live or work. The Notary Guy has offices in Mississauga, Brampton, Scarborough, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, and Etobicoke, all with free parking, walk-in service, and evening and weekend hours.

For people who genuinely cannot travel, a mobile notary service bridges the gap entirely. The notary comes to you in person and covers the full range of in-person services at your location.

Document Coverage

In-person notarization covers everything. Online commissioning covers only affidavits and statutory declarations.

If you are not sure which category your document falls into, the safest default is to book an in-person appointment. You can also call The Notary Guy at (647) 877-4097 to confirm before you make the trip.

Speed

Both options can be fast. The Notary Guy handles walk-in appointments daily, and most in-person sessions are completed within minutes of arrival. Online commissioning appointments are similarly quick once booked.

For urgent situations, in-person walk-in service at a dedicated notary office is often the fastest option because you do not need to wait for a scheduled video appointment.

Acceptance by Institutions

This is where the comparison matters most. Most government bodies, embassies, financial institutions, and foreign recipients accept both formats for the document types eligible for online commissioning. However, some institutions have their own requirements. Before proceeding with an online session, confirm with the receiving organization that they accept remotely commissioned documents.

For documents submitted to government authentication bodies for apostille, in-person notarization is required. These bodies authenticate the notary’s physical seal and signature against their records, which cannot be replicated in a remote session.

Legal Security

Both options are legally valid when applied to the correct document type. In-person notarization has a broader legal footprint. It is universally accepted for all document types by all institutions in all countries. Online commissioning is valid within its defined scope, but there is a risk of rejection if the receiving institution does not accept remotely commissioned documents or if it is used for a document type it does not cover.

When in doubt, in-person provides the greater legal certainty.

Cost

Costs are similar for both options. The Notary Guy charges $30 plus tax for the first in-person notarization and $40 plus tax for the first notarization for online commissioning per session. Each additional signatory during the same online meeting is $40, plus tax. The slight price difference reflects the technology and scheduling involved in remote sessions.

For most people, the cost difference is minor, and the decision comes down to document type and personal convenience rather than price.

Which Option Should You Choose?

Here is a straightforward way to decide.

• Choose online commissioning if your document is an affidavit or statutory declaration, the receiving institution accepts remotely commissioned documents, and you prefer the convenience of completing the session from home.
• Choose in-person notarization if your document is anything other than an affidavit or statutory declaration, you need a certified true copy, you are preparing documents for apostille or authentication, the receiving institution requires physical notarization, or you simply want the certainty that comes with the full in-person process.
• Choose a mobile notary if you need in-person notarization but cannot travel to a notary office due to mobility, health, location, or other circumstances. The notary comes to you and performs the full range of in-person services at your location.

All Three Options Available at The Notary Guy

The Notary Guy offers all three service formats so you always have the right option for your situation.

For in-person notarization, we have offices across the GTA in Mississauga, Brampton, Scarborough, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, and Etobicoke. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments are available seven days a week, including evenings and weekends. Free parking, free black-and-white printing, and free scanning are included at all locations. Pricing starts at $30 plus tax for the first document.

For online commissioning of affidavits and statutory declarations, book through thenotaryguy.ca/booking, select the online commissioning option, and join your session from anywhere with a camera and internet connection. Pricing is $40 for the first document, plus tax 

For a mobile notary, contact us to arrange a visit to your home, office, care facility, or any other location across our service areas. Call or text (647) 877-4097 or email info@thenotaryguy.ca.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is online notarization legal in Canada?

The term “online notarization” is often used loosely, but it is more accurately described as online commissioning. A commissioner of oaths can remotely commission affidavits and statutory declarations via video call. However, online notarization under the Notaries Act is not currently permitted. Only these specific document types qualify for remote commissioning, and all other notarial services must be completed in person.

2. Can I get a certified true copy done online?

Certified true copies require the notary to physically compare the original document to the copy side by side. This cannot be done remotely. You must attend in person or arrange a mobile notary visit for certified true copies.

3. What do I need for an online commissioning session?

You need a device with a working camera and microphone, such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, a stable internet connection, a valid government-issued photo ID to show on camera, and the document you are signing. 

4. Will all institutions accept a remotely commissioned document?

Most will, for the document types that qualify for remote commissioning, but not all. Government bodies, foreign embassies, and financial institutions may have specific requirements. Always confirm with the receiving organization before proceeding with a remote session, particularly if the document is for immigration, a visa application, or international use.

5. Is in-person notarization always better than online commissioning?

Online commissioning is perfectly valid and convenient for affidavits and statutory declarations when the receiving institution accepts it. In-person notarization provides broader legal certainty and covers all document types, so it is the safer choice whenever you are unsure about the receiving institution’s requirements or when your document type falls outside the scope of remote commissioning.

6. What is a mobile notary, and how is it different from online commissioning?

A mobile notary physically travels to your location and performs in-person notarization services. It is not an online service and covers the full range of notarial services, just like an office visit. Online commissioning takes place via video call and is limited to affidavits and statutory declarations only. If you need a certified true copy or any other in-person service but cannot travel, a mobile notary is the right choice, not online commissioning.

7. How do I book an online commissioning session with The Notary Guy?

Visit thenotaryguy.ca/booking, select the online commissioning option, and choose a time that works for you. You will receive confirmation with details on how to join the session. If you have any questions beforehand, call or text (647) 877-4097.