Sample Templates, Resources and Information for Apostille, Authentication, Legalization and Superlegalization, Documents for Notarization, Commissioned and Sealed.
Apostille Procedure Made Simple: Notarization + Authentication (Federal) (Provincial) + Legalization. 1. STATUTORY DECLARATION COMMISSIONING
2. COMMISSIONING OATHS AFFIRMING AFFIDAVITS AND IDENTITIES
3. WITNESSING SIGNATURES, IDENTITY VERIFICATION AND CONFIRMATION
4. CERTIFIED TRUE COPIES - NOTARIAL TRUE COPIES CERTIFICATION SEALS - MUST BRING THE ORIGINAL COPY AS WELL AS THE PHOTOCOPY OF THE DOCUMENT:
If you require a sample template in relation to statutory declarations, affidavits, consent to travel for children travelling abroad, special/limited power of attorney, and visitor visa invitation letters, please email my office at vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com and I will forward you a copy of the precedent. |
Estate Documents and ILA
Documents that this law office will NOT notarize: 1. Wills and Codicils 2. Power of Attorney for Property 3. Power of Attorney for Personal Care 4. Affidavits of Execution of Wills and Powers of Attorney 5. ILA Certificate - Independent Legal Advice Certificate for Mortgages and all Agreements (including, but not limited to Divorce and Separation Agreements). Unlike non-practising lawyers who act as notaries public and who are not insured and are not permitted to provide legal advice, as a practising and insured lawyer, I DO offer the above legal services and my fees will reflect the work and insurance coverage levi that I must consider when placing my seal on those documents. These are important documents that carry great risk of liability to my practice. The fees that I charge for notarization do not justify the risk of placing my good name and credentials on documents that have been drafted by lay persons or printed off the internet. The fees for these documents will start at $200. 1. Power Attorney for Personal Care = $200 Tax Included 2. Power Attorney for Property = $200 Tax Included 3. Powers of Attorney - Personal Care and Property = $300 Tax Included 4. Will = $300 to $500 Tax Included* 5. Will and 2 Powers of Attorney Combo = $600 to $800 Tax Included* 6. Mirror Couple Combo - 2 Wills 4 Powers of Attorney = $800 to $1000 - Tax Included* 7. Independent Legal Advice - ILA = $300 to $600 depending on legal issue, age and educational level the client, complexity, urgency, number of pages, and distance from lawyer's office. * Scale Fees Depending on: 1. Completion of Self-Administered Questionnaire 2. Urgency 3. Age of the Client 4. Underage Children 5. Real Estate Properties, Extra Provincial and International Assets 6. Family Composition (Divorce, Separation, Common Law Relationship, Blended Family etc) 7. Complex Trusts and Unusual Requests 8. Distance from the Lawyer's Office 9. Access to Email Communication In addition, all of the above services will include the following: 1. Three Personal House Call Visits to the Client
2. All Original Estate Documents will be returned and given to the client in protective binder sleeves along with certified true copies, affidavits of execution, and reporting letters. 3. Ongoing communication via email with the client or permitted representatives for review and clarification to finalize the draft. It is expected that the client or a permitted representative will have access to email so that the lawyer can send working drafts to the client for review and approval. 4. Depending on the documents and services requested, a turn around time is between 2 to 5 days. I will be able to provide an initial draft between 2 to 7 days. But it is highly recommended that the client review and sit on the initial draft provided by my office for several days before approving the final draft. I will NOT accept cases where I am forced to complete a matter within a day. The Client's responsibility: 1. Provide all relevant identifications, notes from doctors or social workers (where relevant), papers including insurance, locations of assets and financial institutions, pensions, marriage and divorce certificates, adoption documents etc. 2. Arrange for 2 witnesses who are not named or related to the any person named within the estate documents. If you require my office to arrange for the witnesses on your behalf, the fee for each witness to be paid directly to the witness will be $75. 3. Payment for services rendered at the completion of the requested services in cash, electronic, or cheque in the lawyer's name. Review for completion and accuracy of your Estate Documents drafted by other law firms and lawyers are FREE if you can scan and email the documents to my office. Please do not send the ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. If you would like to receive a questionnaire for estate planning options, please email my office at vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com Policies Regarding Your Identity and Your Documents: To combat fraud, the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC), which governs lawyers and law firms practicing in the Province of Ontario, Canada, has amended its Bylaw 7.1 which now requires all lawyers to make identification and verification of ALL clients; Similar regulations are now also in place in most other Canadian jurisdictions. As a result, please NOTE the following information about yourself MUST now be obtained by my office to comply with the LSUC's identification requirements: Individual Client:
Organization Client:
ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATIONS: MUST BE VALID AND NON EXPIRED
At least two (2) of the following as secondary identifications if you do not have any of the above listed identifications:
IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTACT GUIDELINES OR TO PROVIDE my office with the above mentioned information. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT MY OFFICE FOR NOTARIAL SERVICES. For your protection, I am Vinh T. Tran, you can verify my name, pictures, and credentials. I am a sole practitioner, lawyer, notary public and commissioner of oaths. I do not employ anyone who can access your private information. I also do not work for any persons or companies who can dictate the use of your private information. I have given lectures to lawyers and companies on various subjects including creating public trust and how to protect private information from external contractors and agencies, and especially from internal employees. I am NOT associated with, affiliated with, or related to, any other law firm, organization, corporation, association or notaries public directory services. |
FAQ's about NOTARIZATION FEES and Services
1. Q: Why are your fees so low and cheap? Is there a catch? Do you just make an imprint of the seal or does the fee include a GOLD foil seal sticker?
Ans: Many of my clients cannot justify paying high fees for a simple certification statement, signature, date and notary seal on a document that must be sent to some agency. I agree with my clients. In order to reduce my fees, I reduce my overheads by offering mobile and house call notary services. There is no catch. Yes, the fee includes a GOLD foil seal sticker without extra cost. See the complete service as listed below.
2. Q: Why are you so strict on communication with your office only through texting and email?
Ans: I am a sole practitioner. I work alone. I am a PRACTISING lawyer. Notarization is a small part of my practice. For legal services, I charge by the hourly rate of $240. If you insist in speaking with me personally through the phone I will insist on charging you $4 per minute and always rounding to a 10-minute interval. You will be expected to provide your credit card information before we engage in a telephone conversation. In the alternative, and totally free of charge you may text 647-209-7389 or email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com for any legal issues or inquiries or to set up an appointment to meet with me. I often have a very busy schedule helping clients. It is rude and unprofessional to be constantly picking up phone calls while providing services to clients. You would not want a lawyer who gets distracted answering phone calls while helping you with your case. Also, I aim to not wasting your time and my time by disclosing everything about my fees and services as well as all the answers to all the questions you could ever think about notarization, authentication, legalization and apostille procedures on my website. Any other questions you may have or a request for an appointment can be done through the more efficient means by texting 647-209-7389 or email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com. If you refuse to follow this very simple request, then you may be better served by another lawyer and notary public elsewhere.
3. Q: Why do you give out FREE sample Templates when other lawyers and online legal forms companies charge a fee for them?
Ans: I did not go through over 10 years of post graduate education to be a data entry person and wasting my time asking you personal questions as listed on the forms/templates when you can fill out the information by yourself. The best legal forms are those written in plain and easy to understand language. There is no point paying anyone a fee for a simple template, form or letter when you can Google for one or to ask me for a copy and just input your personal information into it yourself. I feel it is completely unethical and a waste of skills to be filling out forms for clients and charging them a lawyer's rates when the clients can do a better job entering their personal information for themselves.
4. Q: I still think that your fees are too high, do you bargain or is there any way I can reduce the fees further?
Ans: I do not entertain bargaining. An attempt to bargain or to negotiate fees is considered extremely rude and insulting considering the exceptional services that I provide for the already discounted notary fees that I charge. If you believe that my fees are too high, please continue to search for another lawyer/notary public elsewhere. If you bargain with me, the fee will be at regular fee ($40). No Exceptions. You can reduce the notarization fees by:
5. Q: Do you use Red Ink Stamp Notary Seal, Red Notary Seal Sticker, Gold Foil Sticker Notary Seal, or just an Embossed Imprint of the Notary Seal?
Ans: The preferred and frequently used and universally recognized method of sealing documents is by way of using a Gold Foil Sticker Notary Seal embossed with the imprint of the notary public's name, credential and jurisdiction. Click the following link for more information about the practical reasons to using a Gold Foil Sticker Notary Seal.
6. Q: Do I have to be present for notarization? Can I send someone on my behalf to meet with the lawyer, notary public and commissioner of oaths?
Ans: As a general rule, if you must sign something before an officer of the courts, to be sworn under oaths, to have your identity verified, then you must be present with valid photo IDs and be prepared to be sworn and your documents commissioned under oaths. However, if all you require is to have your documents notarized as certified true copies then you may have a representative bring such documents to my office on your behalf. Your representative will be required to show his/her valid photo ID's to the lawyer, notary public and commissioner of oaths/affidavits as required by the Law Society of Upper Canada's bylaw.
7. Q: Why do you have different set fees at different dates and times?
Ans: Work-life balance is important to me. I am offering more dates and times for discounted notary services than any other lawyers and notaries public in the GTA. If you are requesting services outside the prescribed locations, dates and times then my fees will be higher to further accommodate your schedule.
8. Q: University Transcript Notarization: My transcript has three pages, do you count it as one document or three documents?
Ans: It is one document. I will seal the first page and imprint the rest with my embossed notary seal. Likewise, if you have an Agreement that has 30 pages but only one seal is required then it is considered as one seal and one signature.
9. Q: Passport Notarization: Do you count per page for my passport or just one notarization for the whole passport?
Ans: It depends. In most cases, you will only need to get the first page of the passport with your photo and demographic information notarized. In instances for immigration or visa applications or opening a bank account overseas, where you may be required to get certification of the whole passport especially on the pages with stamps, then it is still one gold foil seal on the first page and the imprint of my embossed notary seal on the rest of the other pages of the passport FREE OF CHARGE. Unless, you insist on a gold seal on those extra pages then the additional fee as listed will apply. However, the imprint of my embossed notary seal without the gold foil sticker is more than sufficient to satisfy the requirement of certification, and it is FREE of charge.
10. Q: I have 1 document that requires two of your signatures and two seals, but it's on the same page, do you consider that as one or two seals?
Ans: My fees are based on the number of seals and signatures that you require from me, not the number of pages. If your document requires two signatures and two seals then the fees will reflect that accordingly.
11. Q: My boyfriend and I would like to have our passports notarized, do you count it as one or two transactions/matters?
Ans: It depends:
12. Q: How long does the notarization and/or commissioning process take?
Ans: Usually around 5 minutes, depending on the number of documents you are requesting notarization. There is no next day or next week service. I will sign and seal your document(s) on the spot. The following are the steps that you can expect as a full service when we meet:
13. Q: Is there a difference in the service you provide for a discounted fee option and a regular fee option?
Ans: The above list of steps will be followed regardless of the fee option. The consistency in my practice allows regulatory bodies and agencies to easily confirm my seal and legal authority. The fee differential is a result of the client requesting my services outside the normal working hours.
14. Q: Do you provide coupon codes and discounts or match prices option if I give you a positive review on Google, Facebook and other listing websites?
Ans: No. I do not condone or engage in practices of buying reviews or making up fake reviews and testimonial comments on listing directories or on my own websites. Personally, I never trust any reviews and testimonials on any website. Most of them are a bunch of fake and self-serving comments without one single partially negative comment. Anyway, there is no need for me to compete with anonymous self-proclaimed lawyers and notaries public who refuse to disclose their names, credentials, contact information and fees. My fees are exactly as disclosed on my website. There are no surprises. However, you are encouraged to print the advertised fees on my website to receive any price matching option that other lawyers and notaries may provide for you.
15. Q: Do you actually travel to different locations in the GTA?
Ans: Yes, I can and have travelled around the GTA and beyond providing both legal and notarization services for financial institutions, law firms, universities, large corporations and private individuals. I have travelled all over Ontario including but not limited to the following places Ajax, Ancaster, Aurora, Barrie, Belleville, Bolton, Bracebridge, Brandford, Brampton, Brockville, Burlington, Caledon, Cobourg, Collingwood, Cooksville, Durham, East York, Etobicoke, Gravenhurst, Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Guelph, Halton, Hamilton, Hanover, Havelock, Huntsville, Kingston, King City, Kitchener, London, Manotick, Markham, Meaford, Milton, Mississauga, Newmarket, Nepean, Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, Newcastle, North York, Oakville, Orangeville, Orillia, Orleans, Oshawa, Peterborough, Peel Region, Pickering, Scarborough, Thornhill, Downtown Toronto, Upper Canada, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Unionville, Weston, Willowdale, Whitby, Woodbridge, and locally at Yorkdale Shopping Mall, Eaton Centre, Bay Atrium, Yonge-Bloor Yorkville, College Park, Kensington Market, Chinatown, Koreatown, High Park, Little Italy, Greektown, Cabbagetown, College Park, also including most of the nursing homes and hospitals where many of my clients are doctors, nurses and patients. As long as the clients are willing to accept the notarization and travel fees listed above then I am happy to make a visit to see them at the comfort of their homes or place of business.
16. Q. Are you the only person in Ontario, Canada, who can provide legal services including notarization and commissioning of documents?
Ans: No, there are many places you can find on the internet (Google, Yahoo, Bing, Kijiji, Craigslist, and Backpage etc) that you can attend to get your documents notarized and commissioned. Depending on the type of documents, especially those dealing with city and local matters, some city councilors may be able to commission your documents for FREE. However, getting an appointment with a city councilor can take a long time. It is important to note that many places will say that they are Canada's National Notary Public Services, or Toronto's #1 Notary Public or Toronto's Best Notary Public, or Canada's Leading Notary Public Company, or Toronto's Cheapest Notary Public or Lowest Priced Notary Public in Toronto or Toronto's hand-picked notaries public etc. Do not be impressed by these words. There is no such thing as the best or #1 notary public, all registered and appointed notaries have the same legal authority. In fact, it is actually contrary to the Law Society of Upper Canada's Rules of Professional Conduct to be describing oneself as the best or the best of the best of any legal services that one provides to the public. Further, fees are certainly important but so are the credentials. Remember that credibility begins with a FACE and a NAME. Heed my warning that ALL reputable registered and insured/bonded lawyers, notaries public, and commissioners of oaths in Ontario NEVER REFUSE to disclose their full names, faces, credentials, locations, and fees. Think about it, why would a person who claims to be a lawyer, notary public, and a commissioner of oaths refusing to disclose his or her true identity, something as simple as a name? Why would websites say that they have staff who are qualified lawyers and notaries public but they refuse to list the names of these individuals? Clients are entitled to full disclosure by their counsels or persons who claim to have the legal authority to provide legal services. You MUST question any and all persons who claim to have the legal authority to provide legal services to you yet would not disclose these simple and vital information to you and the general public. Many of your documents contain very important and private information. You must make sure that they do not get into the wrong hands. Can you truly trust a nameless and faceless self-proclaimed legal professional by inviting him or her into the privacy of your home and place of business? You MUST ensure that the person claiming to be a lawyer is in fact a registered legal professional who by law can invoke solicitor-client-privilege to protect your rights and privacy. A registered and practising lawyer is obligated by law and ethical rules to do just that, to protect your rights and privacy even if he or she is just notarizing or commissioning a document for you. Most non-practising lawyers who act as notaries and commissioners of oaths would not know what to do to invoke such rights on your behalf. More importantly, it is best practice to consider getting your documents notarized by a lawyer who is bonded/insured and practising for transaction security such as adoption, immigration, and real estate and business transactions.
1. Q: Why are your fees so low and cheap? Is there a catch? Do you just make an imprint of the seal or does the fee include a GOLD foil seal sticker?
Ans: Many of my clients cannot justify paying high fees for a simple certification statement, signature, date and notary seal on a document that must be sent to some agency. I agree with my clients. In order to reduce my fees, I reduce my overheads by offering mobile and house call notary services. There is no catch. Yes, the fee includes a GOLD foil seal sticker without extra cost. See the complete service as listed below.
- Click here for Reasons Why You Might Wish to Book an Appointment through my Office.
- Click here for Reasons Why You Might NOT Wish to Book an Appointment through my Office.
- Why I charge less for notarization: "The minimum wage in Ontario presently is $11 per hour and it goes further down when you factor in tax and other dues etc.; you should be screaming mad at any person who dares to charge you five or six hours of your work time for a simple signature and seal that takes less than 5 minutes of his or her time. You should not be throwing your money away blindly to a nameless and faceless person for a simple seal"
2. Q: Why are you so strict on communication with your office only through texting and email?
Ans: I am a sole practitioner. I work alone. I am a PRACTISING lawyer. Notarization is a small part of my practice. For legal services, I charge by the hourly rate of $240. If you insist in speaking with me personally through the phone I will insist on charging you $4 per minute and always rounding to a 10-minute interval. You will be expected to provide your credit card information before we engage in a telephone conversation. In the alternative, and totally free of charge you may text 647-209-7389 or email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com for any legal issues or inquiries or to set up an appointment to meet with me. I often have a very busy schedule helping clients. It is rude and unprofessional to be constantly picking up phone calls while providing services to clients. You would not want a lawyer who gets distracted answering phone calls while helping you with your case. Also, I aim to not wasting your time and my time by disclosing everything about my fees and services as well as all the answers to all the questions you could ever think about notarization, authentication, legalization and apostille procedures on my website. Any other questions you may have or a request for an appointment can be done through the more efficient means by texting 647-209-7389 or email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com. If you refuse to follow this very simple request, then you may be better served by another lawyer and notary public elsewhere.
3. Q: Why do you give out FREE sample Templates when other lawyers and online legal forms companies charge a fee for them?
Ans: I did not go through over 10 years of post graduate education to be a data entry person and wasting my time asking you personal questions as listed on the forms/templates when you can fill out the information by yourself. The best legal forms are those written in plain and easy to understand language. There is no point paying anyone a fee for a simple template, form or letter when you can Google for one or to ask me for a copy and just input your personal information into it yourself. I feel it is completely unethical and a waste of skills to be filling out forms for clients and charging them a lawyer's rates when the clients can do a better job entering their personal information for themselves.
4. Q: I still think that your fees are too high, do you bargain or is there any way I can reduce the fees further?
Ans: I do not entertain bargaining. An attempt to bargain or to negotiate fees is considered extremely rude and insulting considering the exceptional services that I provide for the already discounted notary fees that I charge. If you believe that my fees are too high, please continue to search for another lawyer/notary public elsewhere. If you bargain with me, the fee will be at regular fee ($40). No Exceptions. You can reduce the notarization fees by:
- Setting up an appointment with my office at the above noted places, dates and times for discounted fee notarization.
- Combining your documents onto one page or double side copy so that when my seal lands on the page it will go through both sides, hence saving me a seal and you additional fees.
5. Q: Do you use Red Ink Stamp Notary Seal, Red Notary Seal Sticker, Gold Foil Sticker Notary Seal, or just an Embossed Imprint of the Notary Seal?
Ans: The preferred and frequently used and universally recognized method of sealing documents is by way of using a Gold Foil Sticker Notary Seal embossed with the imprint of the notary public's name, credential and jurisdiction. Click the following link for more information about the practical reasons to using a Gold Foil Sticker Notary Seal.
6. Q: Do I have to be present for notarization? Can I send someone on my behalf to meet with the lawyer, notary public and commissioner of oaths?
Ans: As a general rule, if you must sign something before an officer of the courts, to be sworn under oaths, to have your identity verified, then you must be present with valid photo IDs and be prepared to be sworn and your documents commissioned under oaths. However, if all you require is to have your documents notarized as certified true copies then you may have a representative bring such documents to my office on your behalf. Your representative will be required to show his/her valid photo ID's to the lawyer, notary public and commissioner of oaths/affidavits as required by the Law Society of Upper Canada's bylaw.
7. Q: Why do you have different set fees at different dates and times?
Ans: Work-life balance is important to me. I am offering more dates and times for discounted notary services than any other lawyers and notaries public in the GTA. If you are requesting services outside the prescribed locations, dates and times then my fees will be higher to further accommodate your schedule.
8. Q: University Transcript Notarization: My transcript has three pages, do you count it as one document or three documents?
Ans: It is one document. I will seal the first page and imprint the rest with my embossed notary seal. Likewise, if you have an Agreement that has 30 pages but only one seal is required then it is considered as one seal and one signature.
9. Q: Passport Notarization: Do you count per page for my passport or just one notarization for the whole passport?
Ans: It depends. In most cases, you will only need to get the first page of the passport with your photo and demographic information notarized. In instances for immigration or visa applications or opening a bank account overseas, where you may be required to get certification of the whole passport especially on the pages with stamps, then it is still one gold foil seal on the first page and the imprint of my embossed notary seal on the rest of the other pages of the passport FREE OF CHARGE. Unless, you insist on a gold seal on those extra pages then the additional fee as listed will apply. However, the imprint of my embossed notary seal without the gold foil sticker is more than sufficient to satisfy the requirement of certification, and it is FREE of charge.
10. Q: I have 1 document that requires two of your signatures and two seals, but it's on the same page, do you consider that as one or two seals?
Ans: My fees are based on the number of seals and signatures that you require from me, not the number of pages. If your document requires two signatures and two seals then the fees will reflect that accordingly.
11. Q: My boyfriend and I would like to have our passports notarized, do you count it as one or two transactions/matters?
Ans: It depends:
- Separate matters - exp. if both of you are applying for separate programs or applications.
- Same matter - exp. if both of you are purchasing or selling a property held jointly or both declaring for a common-law union document.
12. Q: How long does the notarization and/or commissioning process take?
Ans: Usually around 5 minutes, depending on the number of documents you are requesting notarization. There is no next day or next week service. I will sign and seal your document(s) on the spot. The following are the steps that you can expect as a full service when we meet:
- Client is able to verify the lawyer, Vinh T. Tran's credential and be familiar with his pictures and contact information;
- Exchanging ID's - lawyer and client exchanging ID's and business card/ contact information before service begins;
- Verifying client's identity via examination of the photo ID's and supported documents pursuant to the LSUC's bylaw;
- Notarization, Swearing Oaths/ Declarations;
- Certification by a lawyer's signature;
- Confirmation label sticker under every signature containing my name, legal credentials, LSUC#, and contact information. This provides the schools and agencies the necessary information to easily verify my legal authority to notarize and commission your document;
- Official Embossed Notary Public Golden Seal Stamped on the document - it's not just for decorative purposes; it's my identity, legal authority, and the integrity to provide my clients with the best looking official document possible for submission to schools and agencies; presentation is equally important as credentials. You will not get anything less than high quality professional looking notarized document with an official golden seal and not just an imprint of my seal.
- Final quality inspection and approval for completion; and
- Tax deductible receipt provided upon completion.
13. Q: Is there a difference in the service you provide for a discounted fee option and a regular fee option?
Ans: The above list of steps will be followed regardless of the fee option. The consistency in my practice allows regulatory bodies and agencies to easily confirm my seal and legal authority. The fee differential is a result of the client requesting my services outside the normal working hours.
14. Q: Do you provide coupon codes and discounts or match prices option if I give you a positive review on Google, Facebook and other listing websites?
Ans: No. I do not condone or engage in practices of buying reviews or making up fake reviews and testimonial comments on listing directories or on my own websites. Personally, I never trust any reviews and testimonials on any website. Most of them are a bunch of fake and self-serving comments without one single partially negative comment. Anyway, there is no need for me to compete with anonymous self-proclaimed lawyers and notaries public who refuse to disclose their names, credentials, contact information and fees. My fees are exactly as disclosed on my website. There are no surprises. However, you are encouraged to print the advertised fees on my website to receive any price matching option that other lawyers and notaries may provide for you.
15. Q: Do you actually travel to different locations in the GTA?
Ans: Yes, I can and have travelled around the GTA and beyond providing both legal and notarization services for financial institutions, law firms, universities, large corporations and private individuals. I have travelled all over Ontario including but not limited to the following places Ajax, Ancaster, Aurora, Barrie, Belleville, Bolton, Bracebridge, Brandford, Brampton, Brockville, Burlington, Caledon, Cobourg, Collingwood, Cooksville, Durham, East York, Etobicoke, Gravenhurst, Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Guelph, Halton, Hamilton, Hanover, Havelock, Huntsville, Kingston, King City, Kitchener, London, Manotick, Markham, Meaford, Milton, Mississauga, Newmarket, Nepean, Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, Newcastle, North York, Oakville, Orangeville, Orillia, Orleans, Oshawa, Peterborough, Peel Region, Pickering, Scarborough, Thornhill, Downtown Toronto, Upper Canada, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Unionville, Weston, Willowdale, Whitby, Woodbridge, and locally at Yorkdale Shopping Mall, Eaton Centre, Bay Atrium, Yonge-Bloor Yorkville, College Park, Kensington Market, Chinatown, Koreatown, High Park, Little Italy, Greektown, Cabbagetown, College Park, also including most of the nursing homes and hospitals where many of my clients are doctors, nurses and patients. As long as the clients are willing to accept the notarization and travel fees listed above then I am happy to make a visit to see them at the comfort of their homes or place of business.
16. Q. Are you the only person in Ontario, Canada, who can provide legal services including notarization and commissioning of documents?
Ans: No, there are many places you can find on the internet (Google, Yahoo, Bing, Kijiji, Craigslist, and Backpage etc) that you can attend to get your documents notarized and commissioned. Depending on the type of documents, especially those dealing with city and local matters, some city councilors may be able to commission your documents for FREE. However, getting an appointment with a city councilor can take a long time. It is important to note that many places will say that they are Canada's National Notary Public Services, or Toronto's #1 Notary Public or Toronto's Best Notary Public, or Canada's Leading Notary Public Company, or Toronto's Cheapest Notary Public or Lowest Priced Notary Public in Toronto or Toronto's hand-picked notaries public etc. Do not be impressed by these words. There is no such thing as the best or #1 notary public, all registered and appointed notaries have the same legal authority. In fact, it is actually contrary to the Law Society of Upper Canada's Rules of Professional Conduct to be describing oneself as the best or the best of the best of any legal services that one provides to the public. Further, fees are certainly important but so are the credentials. Remember that credibility begins with a FACE and a NAME. Heed my warning that ALL reputable registered and insured/bonded lawyers, notaries public, and commissioners of oaths in Ontario NEVER REFUSE to disclose their full names, faces, credentials, locations, and fees. Think about it, why would a person who claims to be a lawyer, notary public, and a commissioner of oaths refusing to disclose his or her true identity, something as simple as a name? Why would websites say that they have staff who are qualified lawyers and notaries public but they refuse to list the names of these individuals? Clients are entitled to full disclosure by their counsels or persons who claim to have the legal authority to provide legal services. You MUST question any and all persons who claim to have the legal authority to provide legal services to you yet would not disclose these simple and vital information to you and the general public. Many of your documents contain very important and private information. You must make sure that they do not get into the wrong hands. Can you truly trust a nameless and faceless self-proclaimed legal professional by inviting him or her into the privacy of your home and place of business? You MUST ensure that the person claiming to be a lawyer is in fact a registered legal professional who by law can invoke solicitor-client-privilege to protect your rights and privacy. A registered and practising lawyer is obligated by law and ethical rules to do just that, to protect your rights and privacy even if he or she is just notarizing or commissioning a document for you. Most non-practising lawyers who act as notaries and commissioners of oaths would not know what to do to invoke such rights on your behalf. More importantly, it is best practice to consider getting your documents notarized by a lawyer who is bonded/insured and practising for transaction security such as adoption, immigration, and real estate and business transactions.