Ontario distinguishes remote commissioning from notarization.
The starting point
Ontario's current guidance states that commissioners can commission documents remotely when the applicable legal requirements are met. That can allow an oath, affirmation or declaration to be taken without everyone being physically in the same room.
What to be careful about
The same Ontario guidance states that notaries cannot notarize documents remotely. If the receiving organization requires a true notarization rather than commissioning, an in-person notarial act may therefore be required.
How a lawyer can assess the issue
The label on a document is not always enough to determine the service. A document may ask for an affidavit, declaration, certified copy, signature verification or notarial certificate, and each can involve different requirements.
Current Ontario context
Before booking a remote appointment, send only enough information to identify the document type and destination. The firm should confirm whether remote commissioning is legally and practically appropriate.
Before a consultation
Bring the documents that control the issue and a short chronology of important dates. Avoid sending original documents or unnecessary sensitive information through a general website form.