Most people sign a lease without thinking twice about it. But if the landlord is based outside Canada, the property is commercial, or the lease involves a power of attorney, a regular signature won’t always hold up. Notarization — having a notary public verify your identity and witness your signature — adds a layer of legal weight that can prevent disputes down the line. In Canada, the rules around who can notarize, when it’s required, and whether it can be done remotely vary by province, and getting it wrong can delay a move or invalidate a document you’ve already signed. Here’s what you actually need to know.
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This article is general information only and does not constitute professional advice. For your specific situation, consult a qualified professional.
Knowing when you actually need a notary saves both time and money. Many tenants and landlords assume notarization is a standard step, but for most standard residential leases in Canada, a simple signature is sufficient. The picture changes with commercial leases, cross-border agreements, or situations where one party signs through a representative. Each province handles notarization differently — British Columbia, for example, has a separate class of notaries who aren’t lawyers, while Ontario requires notarization to be done by a lawyer or a commissioner of oaths. That distinction matters if you’re signing from outside the province or need the document recognized internationally. For a closer look at how lease terms interact with local rules, negotiating your lease terms can help you spot requirements that might trigger a notary visit.
Before diving into the details, let’s clarify what we’re talking about. Notarization is the process where a licensed notary public verifies your identity, watches you sign the document, and applies their official seal. It doesn’t mean the notary checks whether the lease itself is fair or legal — only that the person who signed is who they say they are.
What I tend to notice is that people confuse notarization with witnessing by any adult. A standard witness can be anyone over 18 who isn’t a party to the lease. A notary is a regulated professional whose seal carries legal weight in courts and government agencies. If the lease might ever be challenged or needs to be registered, a notary is the safer route.
What notarization actually costs and where to get it done
A notary’s fee depends on where you go, what you need, and whether you travel to them or they come to you. In-person visits to a notary’s office typically fall between $20 and $50 per signature. Mobile notaries who come to your home or workplace can run $50 to $150 depending on distance. Some banks offer free notarization for account holders — it’s worth asking before you search elsewhere. Law firms that offer notary services tend to charge more, often $40 to $80 per signature, but they’re more common in smaller towns where standalone notaries are scarce.
The total cost can surprise you when multiple parties need to sign. If a lease requires the tenant, the landlord, and a guarantor all to notarize their signatures separately, that’s three fees instead of one. Some notaries offer a flat rate for all signatures on a single document — ask before you book.
Geography plays a role too. Notaries in downtown Toronto or Vancouver often charge at the higher end, while rural notaries may charge less. If you’re signing a lease for a property in a different province, you can use a local notary where you are — but the notary must be licensed in the province where the property sits, or the document may not be recognized there. That’s a nuance that catches a lot of tenants off guard.
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| Notary Type | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| In-office lawyer/notary | $30–$60 per signature | Single document, one or two signers, urban area |
| Mobile notary | $50–$150 + travel | Multiple signers at different locations, tight schedule |
| Bank or credit union (member) | Often free | Simple residential leases, existing customer |
| Remote/virtual notary | $25–$75 per session | Signers in different provinces or outside Canada |
If you’re unsure which type of notary fits your situation, speaking with someone who handles lease law daily can save you the cost of redoing the process. Consulting a Canadian real estate lawyer online can clarify whether your specific lease even needs notarization before you pay for it.
Common errors with lease notarization in Canada
Using the wrong type of notary for the province
British Columbia allows notaries who are not lawyers to notarize documents. Ontario does not — only licensed lawyers and commissioners of oaths can perform notarization there. If you use a BC-style notary for an Ontario property lease, the document could be rejected. Each province has its own list of authorized notaries. Check that list before you book. The cost of fixing this mistake is paying twice and potentially delaying the lease start date.
Notarizing a lease that doesn’t need it
Many residential leases in Canada are enforceable with a standard signature. Adding a notary doesn’t make the lease stronger — it just adds cost. Notarization is mainly needed when the lease will be registered against the property title (common for commercial leases), when one party signs under a power of attorney, or when the document needs to be used outside Canada. If you’re a tenant signing a standard one-year apartment lease in the same province, save your money.
Skipping ID requirements and getting turned away
Notaries must verify your identity with government-issued photo ID. Show up without a valid passport or driver’s licence and the notary can’t proceed. Some notaries will also ask for a second piece of ID or proof of address. This isn’t the notary being difficult — it’s a legal obligation under provincial notary acts. If you’re in a rush and arrive without proper ID, you’ll need to reschedule and possibly pay a cancellation fee. What I’d do is call ahead and confirm exactly what ID they’ll accept. Each notary has slightly different standards.
Forgetting that remote notarization has its own rules
Virtual notarization is legal in several provinces now, but the rules aren’t uniform. Some provinces require the video call to be recorded and stored. Others require both parties to be physically in the province during the call. If you’re a Canadian living abroad and trying to notarize a lease for a property in Alberta, the remote notary must confirm your location at the time of signing. That can get complicated if you’re in a jurisdiction where the notary’s authority doesn’t extend. A secure document safe is a practical way to store the original notarized lease so you don’t lose the only signed copy — especially if you’re handling the process remotely and won’t have easy access to reprints.
How to get your lease notarized in Canada — step by step
Check whether your lease actually requires notarization
Start with the lease itself. Look for a clause that says “notarized” or “witnessed by a notary public.” If there’s no such clause, ask the landlord or their agent directly. For a residential lease in Canada, the answer is usually no. For a commercial lease or a lease involving a guarantor, the answer is often yes. If the lease is part of a property purchase or a long-term ground lease, notarization is standard. Once you know it’s required, move to the next step.
Find a licensed notary in the right province
The notary must be authorized to practice in the province where the lease will be used. Search the provincial notary society or law society directory. In British Columbia, look for a “Notary Public” on the BC Notaries directory. In Ontario, search the Law Society of Ontario for lawyers who offer notary services. If you need the lease notarized quickly, mobile notaries can travel to you but cost more. For a slower but cheaper option, some city clerks can notarize documents for a small fee — but check whether their seal is accepted for lease agreements.
Prepare your documents and ID
Bring the complete lease — every page, including any schedules or appendices. Staple them together so the notary can seal across the staple. Bring your original government-issued photo ID. A passport works everywhere. A driver’s licence works in most provinces, but some notaries prefer a passport for leases involving cross-border parties. If you’re signing under a power of attorney, bring the original POA document as well. If any pages are missing or the document is incomplete, the notary may refuse to proceed.
Sign in the notary’s presence
Do not sign the lease before you arrive. The notary must watch you sign. If you sign ahead of time, it can’t be notarized — you’ll need a fresh copy. The notary will confirm your identity, watch you sign each page (or initial every page and sign at the end), then apply their seal and signature. The entire process takes about 10 to 15 minutes for a straightforward lease. If multiple parties need to notarize separately, each person must appear in front of the notary individually unless the province allows remote joint sessions.
Remote notarization: the emerging option
As of 2024, several Canadian provinces allow remote notarization using secure video platforms. British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan have all introduced frameworks for virtual notarization, though the requirements differ. You typically need to show your ID to the camera, sign digitally or on a printed copy while on the call, and have the notary apply their digital seal. The video recording is stored as proof. This is useful if you live in a different province from the property or if you’re overseas temporarily. The limitation is that some landlords still refuse to accept remote-notarized leases — check with them before going this route. This area of law continues to evolve, and speaking with a Canadian real estate lawyer can help you confirm whether your lease will be accepted with a remote notary seal.
Frequently asked questions about notarizing lease agreements in Canada
Can I notarize a lease after I’ve already signed it? ▾
Does a notarized lease need to be registered anywhere? ▾
Can a landlord refuse to accept a remote-notarized lease? ▾
What’s the difference between a notary and a commissioner of oaths? ▾
Can I get a lease notarized at a Service Ontario centre? ▾
How long is a notarized lease valid? ▾
Understanding notarization protects your lease from challenges
The main reason to get a lease notarized isn’t complexity — it’s clarity. A notarized lease is much harder for either side to dispute later. If a landlord later claims you weren’t the person who signed, or if a tenant tries to argue the signature was forged, the notary’s seal and record provide independent proof. That’s worth the $40 and 15 minutes for any lease where the stakes are high. As remote notarization expands across Canadian provinces, the convenience of doing this from home will only increase — but the basics of verifying identity and witnessing the signature remain the same.
Remember: this article is general information only. For advice on your specific situation, speak to a qualified professional.
If this was useful, you might also want to read Avoiding Surprises With Apartment Lease Automatic Renewal.
Sources and Further Reading
Understanding Rental Lease Deposit Withholding in Canada — A deeper look at what landlords can and can’t deduct from deposits, and how notarized receipts can protect both sides.
Essential Tenant Lease Legal Aid Resources in Canada — Where to find free or low-cost legal help for lease disputes and notarization questions.
Law Society of Ontario. “Notary Public Services.” 🔗
BC Notaries. “Find a Notary.” 🔗
Government of Alberta. “Notarization and Commissioner of Oaths.” 🔗
