How to become a Notary Public In Canada in 4 Steps

Your search on how to become a Notary Public in Canada might be connected to Canada’s better conditions and earnings. Lawyers and non-lawyers desire gladly take this appointment in Canada because they are fully aware of the benefits attached.

It important to note that Notary Public appointment in some Canadian Provinces is restricted to some category of people.  In Manitoba and Saskatchewan for instance, only Lawyers are qualified to apply as notary public while in Alberta non-lawyers can.

Similarly in Ontario and BC both lawyers and non-lawyers with relevant bachelor degree can apply the position of Notary Public. So, by default, Lawyers are Notary Public in Canada due to their legal background knowledge.

However, it is important to know the requirements on how to become a notary public in Canada successfully. Furthermore, most Notary public use the opportunity to create cordial relationship with people that may be of help in Canada

Progressively, this article will be exposing you to who a notary public is, duties, career prospects, and requirements by provinces. Also steps on how to become Notary public in Canada and frequently asked questions about the subject.

Who is a Notary Public in Canada?

Is a person officially assigned by minister of justice to administer oath, signing of contract, agreements and other legal documents. In some Provinces only Lawyers can serve as Notary public while in other provinces non-lawyer can fit in..

Note, notarization refers to all activities and job responsibilities performed officially by a Notary Public. Notary Public appointment expires after three years in most provinces but renewable for another three years.

Notary Public can perform the duties of a commissioner of oath in Canada but commissioner of oath can’t reciprocate.

National occupation code (NOC) for Notary public in Canada

Notary public works in accordance to the Canadian National occupation code and guideline to discharge duties professionally. Be informed that while you are working on how to become a Notary public in Canada, 4211 is the NOC.

This Code also helps each profession to identify their job responsibilities, professions within and outside the Code. Other careers or jobs you will find under this national occupation code for Notary public are Paralegals and Trademark agents.

Duties of a Notary public in Canada

The job responsibilities or duties of Notary public in Canada according to NOC 4211 are listed below.

• In charge of administering oaths and take affidavits and depositions.
• Responsible for witnessing and certifying the validity of signatures on documents.
• Draft contracts, prepare promissory notes and draw up wills, mortgages and other legal documents.
• Do the arrangements of probates and administer the estates of deceased persons.
• Provide commissioning services virtually which is known as e-notary services.

Why is Notary Public a good career in Canada?

Canadians on daily basis need the services of Notary public in Canada to administer oath or sign legal documents for them.

Their services are needed in all Canadian provinces, so they are mostly in demand by relevant organizations in Canada.

This career has good prospects despite it been an appointment that expires in three years for non-lawyer though renewable.  The appointment of a Notary Public can be a lifetime one especially in province like Newfoundland and preferably lawyer.

You can acquire more experience and other forms of human capacity building programs within this period to boost your career.

Averagely, a Notary public in Canada earns from $37,440 and above, the salary varies according to years of experience and Province.

Advisably, ensure you acquire more working experience when you become a Notary public in Canada so you earn much higher. A well experienced Notary Public in Canada can earn as high as $100,000 yearly.

Places Notary Public can work in Canada

Interestingly, Notary Public can work in different places such as Banks, Law firms, government court, police station and others.

Preferably, intending Notary Public  as non-lawyer should enroll in degree programs like accounting, insurance and real estate in recognized Universities.

How to Become a Notary Public in Canada in 4 steps

There are no lengthy steps required to be a Notary Public ; they are short and easy to meet.

Firstly, you need have the minimum academic requirement which is a bachelor degree in Law for some Provinces like Quebec. In provinces and territories like Ontario and Nunavut a bachelor degree in relevant courses like accounting and insurance are ok.

So generally you can’t be a Notary Public  with just a high school certificate or diploma certificate.

Secondly,  it is highly recommended to acquire work experience to enable you function efficiently in your job roles. Such work experience can be acquired through internship, voluntary services or apply for entry position jobs in relevant organizations.

Work experience will determine your career progression and earnings as Notary Public  so it is important and necessary.

Thirdly,  acquire the necessary professional certification in your job roles especially in provinces that it necessary or mandatory. To become a Notary Public in Canada via British Columbia, and PEI Provinces, professional certifications are needed from regulatory bodies.

In British Columbia province you need a certification from Society of Notary Public of BC. Law society of Prince Edward Island certificate is needed for Notary Public to work or Practice in PEI Province.

Lastly,  the needs to apply for job  in relevant organizations that is close to your province  become necessary. This way you can put to use the knowledge and experience acquired in the last four to five years.

Do I need license to become a Notary Public in Canada?

Licenses are not available or provided for Notary public officers but you need certification by Provincial professional bodies. Such bodies are Law society of Ontario, Society of Notary Public in British Columbia and few others across Provinces and Territories.

Requirements to become a Notary Public in Quebec

Quebec is among the Provinces in Canada where Notary Public must have bachelor degree in law before appointment. Preferably, the lawyer should specialize in either real estate or martial principles, this will require extra year in Law school. In addition the Notary Public Quebec discharge their responsibilities using the NOC 4112 instead of the 4211 for paralegal and Notary Public

How to become a Notary Public in Canada Territories

There are three territories in Canada which are Nunavut, Yukon and Northwest Territories.

These territories have similar ways of appointing Notary Public officers and both Lawyer and non-lawyer can become a Notary Public. The process requires that you apply to the Minister of Justice office and possibly pay the application fee. In case where there are numerous applications, examination and interviews will be conducted to pick the best.

Notary Public in Yukon for example doesn’t work in all areas but specialize in some key area.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Find below some frequently asked questions by people intending to Notary public.

How to become a notary public in Ontario Canada?

 You will need to apply by downloading the Ontario Notary Public application form and pay application fee of $145.

The completed application form can be mailed to the address stated below.

Official Documents Services

Main Floor

222 Jarvis Street

Toronto Ontario M7A 0B6.

Can I immigrate and become a Notary Public in Canada?

Yes you can immigrate to study and become a Notary Public for more details check the immigration guide. Also as a graduate lawyer or other relevant courses you immigrate to Canada and work as a Notary Public.

How much is the application fee to become a Notary Public in Canada?

The application fee is not the same in all province, Labrador charge $500 while Ontario it $145. Other province could be less or slightly higher.

Which Canadian Provinces requires only bachelor degree in Law for Notary Public ?

Provinces in Canada that strictly require bachelor degree in Law to become a Notary Public in Canada are listed below:

• Nova Scotia
• Quebec
• Manitoba
• Saskatchewan
• Alberta, except when there is no available lawyer.

Can Notaries Public prepare a Will in Canada?

 Yes, they can prepare Will but not authorized when the Will has to do with Life, estates or Trust.

How much does it cost to get a document Notarized in Canada?

The cost to get document notarized in Canada varies across provinces, find below the Notarization fee by province in Canada.

• Alberta – $50.
• Prince Edward Island – $50.
• British Columbia – $40 – $50.
• Quebec – $250 and above.
• Ontario – $35.
• Montreal for real estate – $1000 and above.

Conclusion

Conclusively, not all Provinces in Canada permit non-lawyer to become a Notary Public in Canada and minimum qualification is bachelor degree. Notary Public in Quebec operates a different National occupation code   of 4112 as compared to general NOC of 4112.