Commissioning — statutory declaration for a lost birth certificate
Commissioning (taking the oath or affirmation for) a statutory declaration for a lost birth certificate. Paralegals are commissioners for taking affidavits in Ontario.
What is included
- Confirming your identity with valid government-issued photo ID
- Taking your oath or affirmation, or witnessing your signature, as the document requires
- Checking that the document is complete and is signed in front of the commissioner
- Completing the commissioner's section with the date, place and signature
- Explaining in general terms what commissioning does
What is not included
- Drafting the document or advising on its contents, unless that is a separate service
- Government, apostille, courier and translation costs
- Drafting or advising on wills, powers of attorney or real estate documents, which is a lawyer's work
- Confirming that the contents of the document are true
Who this service is for
- People who need an affidavit or statutory declaration for a government office, bank, insurer or school
- People filing a sworn document at a tribunal or in Small Claims Court
- Parents who need a travel consent letter commissioned
- Businesses with several documents to commission
Information to have ready
- 1The document, complete but unsigned
- 2Valid government-issued photo ID for each person signing
- 3Every person who must swear or sign, present in person or by video
- 4Any instructions from the office that will receive the document
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
The fee is $50 plus 13% HST ($56.50 in all) for the work described on this page. Court, tribunal or government fees and other disbursements are extra. We confirm the scope and the fee in a written retainer agreement before any work starts.
What happens when I check out?
You book a time for your intake call, then save a card on Stripe's secure page. Nothing is charged today: the card is only charged later, for an invoice for work already done, as your retainer agreement sets out. A licensed paralegal confirms the details, checks for conflicts of interest and, if we can act for you, sends the retainer agreement. Fees paid before the work is done are held in our trust account.
Should I sign the document before I come?
No. Please bring it unsigned. You sign in front of the commissioner after taking the oath or affirmation.
What is the difference between an oath and an affirmation?
An oath is sworn, often on a religious text, and an affirmation is a solemn promise without religious reference. Both have the same legal effect.
Does commissioning make the contents true?
No. The commissioner confirms your identity and that you swore or affirmed the document. You are responsible for what it says, and a false statement can have serious legal consequences.
Is a commissioner the same as a notary public?
No. Ontario lawyers and licensed paralegals are commissioners for taking affidavits by virtue of their licence. A notary public, appointed under Ontario's Notaries Act, can also certify true copies and the signing of documents, which offices outside Canada often ask for.
General information only, not legal advice. NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
Important limitations
- The office receiving the document decides whether it accepts it
- A document cannot be commissioned if identity cannot be confirmed or the signer does not understand it
- Commissioning does not check or confirm the contents
- The firm commissions and witnesses documents as Ontario law allows, but does not draft or advise on documents outside a licensed paralegal's scope, such as wills, powers of attorney or real estate documents; that work is referred to an Ontario lawyer.
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