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What’s the Difference? Notary Public vs. Commissioner for Oaths
Commissioner for Oaths 

Alberta, the appointment of Commissioners for Oaths is governed by the Notaries and Commissioners Act.

You may have an affidavit, oath, legal document or other formal paperwork that requires commissioning or notarization. It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether you need a Notary Public or a Commissioner for Oaths. Typically, if you are swearing or solemnly affirming an oath affidavit or the contents of a document in Alberta, a Commissioner for Oaths is authorized to sign and stamp your document.

Notary Public

A Notary Public is required for documents from outside the province. For example, if you need to swear an for a real estate transaction in Manitoba while in Alberta, you must do so before a Notary Public. Additionally, to submit Certified True Copy of a document like a passport, a Notary must seal it to certify it as a true copy.

A Commissioner for Oaths is authorized to:

  • Administer oaths and affirmations

  • Take affidavits and statutory declarations

  • Witness and commission specific legal documents

  • Commission passport statutory declarations (in lieu of guarantor forms)

Here are some typical examples:

  • Court affidavits

  • Divorce affidavits and associated documents

  • Statutory declarations (lost ID, proof of residence, insurance forms)

  • Government applications that necessitate an oath or affirmation

  • Declarations for name changes or residency 

  • Specific Will documents

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