Notary & Commissioning

1. Notarization and signature witnessing

We provide in-person notarial services for documents requiring a notary's witnessing or verification of a signature, subject to the document's requirements.

Bring the complete document and the recipient's instructions. Leave the signature section unsigned until directed at your appointment. If you have already signed, let us know before attending so we can explain the appropriate next step.

2. Certified true copies

We compare a copy with the original document and, where appropriate, certify that it is a true copy.

This may be required for identification, educational records, professional applications or other administrative purposes. Bring the original document and tell us how many certified copies you need. The receiving organization may have its own rules about which documents and certifications it accepts.

3. Affidavits, oaths and statutory declarations

We commission eligible affidavits and statutory declarations by administering the required oath, affirmation or declaration and completing the commissioning formalities.

These documents may be used for court, government, insurance, business or personal matters. Bring the complete document, including any exhibits or attachments. You must understand the statements you are making and be able to swear, affirm or declare them truthfully.

4. Child travel consent letters

We assist with in-person witnessing of signatures on child travel consent letters.

Tell us who needs to sign, where the child is travelling and whether the airline or receiving authority has provided a form or instructions. Bring the completed unsigned letter and the identification required for each person signing.

If consent is disputed or a parenting order may affect travel, legal advice may be needed before signing. Our Family Law services can address the underlying legal issue separately.

5. Pet travel consent and authorization letters

We assist with preparing pet travel consent or authorization letters and notarizing the owner's signature where required. These letters may be useful when a pet travels with another person or a transport provider requests written authorization from the owner.

Provide the pet's identifying details, the owner's and accompanying person's information, travel dates, destination and any airline or transport-provider instructions. We will confirm the preparation and signing requirements before your appointment.

A consent letter does not replace veterinary health certificates, vaccination records, import permits or other travel requirements. Requirements vary by destination and carrier.

6. Documents for use outside Canada

A document being sent abroad may need notarization, an apostille, authentication or additional consular steps. The requirements depend on the document, its origin and where it will be used.

Provide the receiving organization's or consulate's written requirements before booking. We can assess the notarial work requested and explain whether additional steps need to be addressed.

Apostilles and authentication certificates are issued by the relevant government authority, not by Legal Route. Notarization alone does not guarantee that a document will be accepted abroad.

7. Remote commissioning for eligible documents

Some affidavits and statutory declarations may be commissioned by video when the legal requirements can be met and the receiving organization accepts the process.

Ask us to assess your document before booking. If remote commissioning is appropriate and available, we will explain identification, video-call, signing and document-return requirements.

Notarization and certified true-copy services are handled in person. Remote commissioning should not be treated as an interchangeable substitute.

8. Document preparation and legal advice

If your document needs drafting, corrections or advice about its legal effect, tell us before arranging a signing appointment.

We will assess whether we can assist and confirm the scope and fee separately. Preparing a declaration, reviewing an agreement and simply witnessing a signature involve different work.

Independent legal advice or representation for a property transaction, guarantee or family agreement must be arranged as a separate legal service. A notarial stamp does not replace that advice.