Ensure your final wishes are legally binding. Signing a Last Will and Testament or a Power of Attorney is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and assets. However, for these documents to be valid in Ontario, they must be signed and witnessed according to strict legal rules.
At Canada Notary, we provide professional witnessing and notarization services for Wills and Powers of Attorney that you have already drafted. We ensure that your signature is verified and that the mandatory “Affidavit of Execution” is sworn correctly, saving your executors time and stress during the probate process.
We assist with the final execution of your estate documents:
For clients who have a self-prepared or lawyer-drafted Will.
The Requirement: In Ontario, a valid Will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses who are both present at the same time.
Our Role: Our Notary acts as one of your official witnesses. We verify your identity and ensure the signing formalities are met.
Affidavit of Execution: We prepare and notarize the Form 74.8 Affidavit of Execution. This is a critical document that your executor will need to prove the Will is valid in court (Probate). Without it, they may face costly delays.
Designating someone to make decisions for you.
POA for Property: Authorizes someone to handle your finances (banking, paying bills).
POA for Personal Care: Authorizes someone to make medical decisions if you become incapacitated.
Our Role: We witness your signature on these documents to confirm you signed them freely and voluntarily.
Please follow these steps carefully to ensure your appointment is successful:
You must bring the printed, unsigned Will or POA to our office. (We do not write these documents for you).
Option A: Bring a second independent witness (a friend or neighbor who is not a beneficiary).
Option B: Ask us if we can provide a second witness (staff availability varies by location).
You must sign the document in front of us. If you sign it at home, it is invalid, and we cannot notarize it.
Bring two pieces of valid government ID.
We sign as witnesses and stamp the Affidavit of Execution.
To ensure clarity and compliance with Ontario Law
We cannot write, edit, or provide legal advice on the content of your Will. If you need complex estate planning advice, please consult an Estate Lawyer.
While we verify that you appear coherent, we do not perform formal medical capacity assessments.
Yes. Many clients use online platforms (like Willful or LawDepot) to generate their documents. We are happy to notarize these "Do-It-Yourself" Wills, provided you follow the instructions included in your kit.
NO. If a beneficiary (or their spouse) acts as a witness, any gift left to them in the Will may be voided. Your witnesses should be independent third parties.
Highly recommended. While a Will is technically valid without it, the courts generally require this affidavit to grant Probate (certifying the Will) after you pass away. If you don't do it now, your witnesses might be impossible to find years later.
We handle the Hague Apostille and Embassy Legalization process for you.
We believe essential legal services should be affordable. Starting this Monday (Apr 20) and running through the end of the year, we’ve dropped our base rate at our Downtown Barrie office. Get your first document notarized for only $15.
Trusted by 150,000+ clients since 2015 — enjoy 10% OFF Notary & Commissioner Services (online & in-person).
Coupon Code: CNOTARY10
Offer valid from –15, 2025. Excludes Apostille and Translation services.
