What does a notary cost in Ontario, and why do fees vary?

Notary fees in Ontario are not set by a single government tariff for most private work, which is why quotes differ from one notary to the next. What you are paying for is a person with a commission, their time, their travel, and their legal responsibility for verifying who you are. Here is how my pricing works and why it is structured the way it is.

You pay per signature or seal, not per appointment

The most common misunderstanding is that notarization is priced per visit. It is not. Each document that needs a notarial signature or seal is a separate act, with separate liability, so each one carries a fee. The good news is that the cost drops sharply after the first: the first document is $35, the second is $20, and every additional document in the same appointment is $15.

This is why it pays to gather everything before booking. Four documents handled in one visit cost far less than four separate appointments.

Sworn documents cost more than certified copies

Affidavits and statutory declarations are $80 each. That is higher than a simple certification, and the reason is the nature of the act. When I certify a true copy, I am comparing a photocopy to an original in front of me. When I take an affidavit, I am administering an oath — you are swearing that the contents are true, and that carries legal consequences for you if they are not. The process is slower, more formal, and I have to satisfy myself that you understand what you are swearing to.

What the mobile travel fee covers

There is a $50 mobile travel fee. This is not a surcharge for convenience — it is the entire operating model. There is no office, which means no reception, no waiting room, and no time off work for you. Instead I come to your home, your workplace, a hospital room, or a coffee shop. The fee covers the travel and the block of time held for you.

Distance rates may apply for locations at the outer edge of the service area. I will always tell you the total before we book, not after.

The other line items

• Wills, Powers of Attorney, and separation, divorce or prenuptial agreements: $60 each
• Gold or red seal embossment: $5
• Authentication or apostille package: $160
• Prices are in Canadian dollars and do not include GST/HST
• Payment is by cash or PayPal

What is not included at any price

I do not draft documents and I do not give legal advice about what your document says or whether it is the right one for your situation. That is a lawyer's job, and paying a notary more will not change it. If you are unsure what you need, get advice first — then bring me the finished document.