In Ontario, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of a municipality, along with other delegates, are appointed as Commissioner of Oaths under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.17, and Ontario Regulation #386/12. Commissioners may administer oaths and take affidavits, declarations and affirmations. It is important to know the difference between these documents:
- An affidavit is a written statement confirmed to be true by oath or affirmation, often used as evidence in court.
- An oath, declaration, or affirmation is a solemn pledge with legal consequences that can be made before a notary or commissioner.
NOTE: A Commissioner of Oaths is not the same as a Notary Public. If your document requires the signature of a Notary Public, or you require certified true copies of documents, then you will need to contact a lawyer or a Notary.
If you require commissioning services, please connect with the Township's Clerks/Legislative Services Department via email to clerks@get.on.ca, or by calling (519) 856-9596 ext. 101, to arrange an appointment with one of our Commissioners. Kindly ensure you only schedule appointments for the administration of oaths, or the taking of affidavits, declarations, and/or affirmations.
With respect to the commissioning process, please note the following:
- Commissioners must witness the signing of the document. Please do not sign the document before you arrive.
- The person signing the affidavit must show proof of identity via Government issued photo identification such as a driver’s licence, or passport.
- There is no guarantee that a document can be commissioned until the document is reviewed by the Commissioner. All Township Commissioners reserve the right to refuse to commission a document.
- Commissioners cannot sign documents where there is a requirement to personally know the person for a certain length of time (i.e., passport guarantor).
- Documents must include a proper jurat for the Commissioner to certify. See the Province's Guide for Commissioners here for more information.
- The current fee for commissioning a document (4 signatures) is $25.00. Any additional signature required will be $6.00 each.
NOTE: During the commissioning process, you will be asked to make an oral oath or affirmation, confirming that the contents of the document to be signed are accurate and true.
The Commissioners for the Township of Guelph/Eramosa may sign affidavits, oaths, declarations, and affirmations related, but not limited, to the following:
- Township of Guelph/Eramosa generated documents;
- Domestic and foreign pension document (aka. "Proof of Life");
- Construction completion form;
- Canadian citizenship forms;
- Delayed statement of live birth;
- Adult name change;
- Vehicle transfer of ownership to a family member;
- Declaration of unregistered vehicle;
- Child travel consent;
- Invitation letters for a visitor's VISA;
- Immunization exemption document;
- Statutory Declaration of Lost Identification;
- Statutory Declaration for OSAP – Statement of Common Law Status/Supporting Children;
- Amendment to Birth/ Death/ Marriage Certificate forms;
- Affidavit of Proof of Loss of Motor Vehicle/boat (from an insurance company);
- Affidavit of Proof of Residency;
- Travel Industry Council of Ontario - Affidavit of Customer Claimant; and,
- Declaration for a change of sex designation.
The Commissioners for the Township of Guelph/Eramosa reserve the right to refuse to commission any documents. The following categories of documents are examples of forms which the Township will not commission:
- Wills, Living Wills, Codicils to Wills or Estate Settlement documents;
- Power of Attorney;
- Divorce, separation, marriage or cohabitation documents;
- Custody documents;
- Documents related to debt;
- Real Estate documents;
- Court, Legal or Civil issue related documents;
- Declaration or Claimant and Indemnity;
- Statutory Declaration of Progress Payment Distribution – Holdback Security Deposits;
- Statement of Arrears;
- Declaration of a Translator;
- Age of Majority or BYID Card Application; and,
- Documents requiring the signature of a Notary Public, Canadian and Foreign.
For more inforamtion, contact the Clerk's Department at clerks@get.on.ca or call at 519-856-9596 ext. 107.