Notary & Commissioning Services for Catalyst Commons Members

Catalyst Commons members can book a complimentary 15-minute appointment every Tuesday morning with Marty Finestone, Notary Public and Commissioner for Taking Affidavits.

• Details & rules
• Appointment instructions
• FAQ
• Book an appointment

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Details & Rules

Please read the following rules and terms of use carefully before using this website and the complimentary Notary Public and Commissioner of Oaths service1. Service Description and Limitations
This website provides information about a complimentary Notary Public and Commissioner of Oaths service offered only to members of Catalyst Commons.The service is limited to notarization and commissioning of oaths, as described on this website.2. No Legal Advice or Relationship
The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.The use of this website or the complimentary Notary Public and Commissioner of Oaths service does not create any lawyer-client relationship between you and Martin Finestone or Martin Finestone Professional Corporation.Martin Finestone does not provide any legal advice or service to you.3. User Responsibility
You are responsible for ensuring that your documents are complete, accurate, and prepared for notarization or commissioning.Martin Finestone will not review your documents for legal sufficiency or provide guidance on their content.4. Refusal of Service
Martin Finestone reserves the right to refuse to provide Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths services for any reason.5. Identification
You must provide at least one valid government-issued photo identification as required for notarization or commissioning.6. Disclaimer of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Martin Finestone and Martin Finestone Professional Corporation disclaim any and all liability for any losses, damages, or claims arising from the use of this website or the provision of the complimentary Notary Public and Commissioner of Oaths service. This includes, but is not limited to, errors in documents, or any legal issues related to the underlying documents.7. Governing Law
These rules and terms of use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the applicable laws of Canada.8. Amendments
I reserve the right to amend these rules and terms of use at any time without prior notice.

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INSTRUCTIONS

To make your 15-minute appointment as efficient as possible, please review these essential instructions and what to bring:I. Document Preparation - VERY IMPORTANT:Do Not Sign in Advance: Crucially, do not sign your document before arriving. For notarization or commissioning, you must sign in my physical presence.Complete Information (except for Notary): Please fill out all parts of your document except for the sections designated for the Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths to complete (e.g., signature lines for the official, dates for the official's signature, seal areas).Bring Two Hard Copies: For most documents, it's highly recommended to bring two hard copies. One is for the notarization, and the other serves as a spare in case of errors or if a certified true copy is required.Understand Your Document: I do not provide legal advice or review the contents of your document for accuracy. It is your responsibility to understand what you are signing and ensure it meets the requirements of the party requesting it. If you have questions about your document's purpose or content, please direct them to the organization or individual who provided it to you.II. WHAT TO BRING
For all appointments, please bring:
1. Valid Government-Issued Photo Identification: You must bring at least one piece of valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID that matches the name on your document. Examples include a passport, driver's license, or provincial ID card. Please note: Health cards are NOT accepted as primary identification for notarization. If the name on your ID does not perfectly match your document, or if the receiving party requires multiple IDs, please bring more than one.Your Completed Document(s): Bring the original document(s) you need notarized or commissioned, filled out completely but unsigned.If you require a Certified True Copy (e.g., of a government ID, academic records, etc.), then You must present the original document(s) for which you need a certified copy. I cannot make certified true copies without seeing the original.If your document requires witnesses (e.g., Wills, Powers of Attorney):Bring Your Own Witnesses: You are responsible for bringing any required witnesses with you to the appointment. Ensure they meet the legal requirements for your specific document (e.g., not a beneficiary, not under 18, etc.).
No Unnecessary Attendees: Please do not bring anyone with you who is not required to sign or witness a document.III. SERVICES NOT PROVIDED
Please be aware that this complimentary service does not include:
- Online/remote commissioning of documents.
- "Apostille Canada" (Authentication and Legalization services by Global Affairs Canada or other government bodies).
- Obtaining foreign embassy stamps or Ontario Government document authentication.

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FAQ

General InformationWhat services do you offer?
I offer complimentary Notary Public and Commissioner of Oaths services. This includes certifying true copies of original documents (e.g., government ID, academic records), commissioning affidavits and statutory declarations, witnessing Powers of Attorney, and commissioning consent to travel letters.Who can use this service?
This service is exclusively for members of Catalyst Commons.What does "complimentary" mean?
It means there is no fee for these services.When are appointments available?
Appointments are available every Tuesday morning in 15-minute slots at 9:30 AM, 9:45 AM, and 10:00 AM.Where do appointments take place?
All appointments are held in the Angel meeting room at Catalyst Commons.How do I book an appointment?
You can book an appointment through this online booking page.What if I need legal advice?
This service is strictly for notarization and commissioning. I do not provide legal advice, draft documents, or offer legal services. If you require legal advice or assistance with preparing your documents, you should consult with a lawyer. No lawyer-client relationship is formed by using this service.Preparing for Your AppointmentDo I need to bring my own documents?
Yes, you must bring the original documents you need notarized or commissioned. I do not prepare or provide documents for you.Should I sign my document before I arrive?
No, absolutely not. You must sign your document in my physical presence for it to be properly notarized or commissioned. Please wait until your appointment.Do I need to fill out my document before the appointment?
Yes, please complete all sections of your document, leaving only the signature lines and official details (e.g., date of notarization, notary's seal area) blank for me to complete.What identification do I need to bring?
You must bring at least one piece of valid, government-issued photo identification that matches the name on your document. Examples include a passport, driver's license, or provincial ID card. Please note: Health cards are NOT accepted as primary ID for notarization. If your name differs slightly or the receiving party requires multiple IDs, please bring more than one.Can I bring someone else with me?
Please only bring individuals who are required to sign or witness a document. If no one else is needed for your specific document, please attend alone to ensure efficiency.Certified True Copies
What is a certified true copy?
A certified true copy (or "notarized copy") is a photocopy of an original document that a Notary Public has certified as being a true and accurate reproduction of the original.Do I need to make copies beforehand for certified true copies?
Generally, no. It is usually faster if I make the copies during your appointment. However, in rare cases (e.g., if the document is oversized), you might be advised to obtain copies from a commercial printing service first.Can you certify a copy if I don't have the original?
No. I must see the original document to certify a copy as true.Specific Document QuestionsCan you help me with a Will?
I can commission affidavits of execution to a Will. I do not draft Wills or provide legal advice on their content. If your Will requires witnesses and an affidavit of execution, you must bring the original Will and your witnesses. The witnesses will sign the affidavit in my presence.Can you help me with a Power of Attorney (POA)?
I can commission Powers of Attorney. Most Ontario POAs require two witnesses. You are responsible for bringing your witnesses. The Notary can be one of the witnesses, but the second witness cannot be the donee (the person given power).I need an "Apostille" or my document legalized for use abroad. Can you do that?
No, this service does not include "Apostille Canada" (authentication and legalization services provided by Global Affairs Canada or other governmental bodies), obtaining foreign embassy stamps, or Ontario Government document authentication. You will need to contact the relevant government authority for these services after your document has been notarized.Policies and DisclaimersCan you refuse to notarize my document?
Yes, I reserve the right to refuse to notarize or commission any document for any reason, at my sole discretion.Do you initial documents?
No, I do not initial documents. My role is to commission affidavits or certify true copies, not to review the content of every page.Will my ID information be kept confidential?
Yes, all personal information, including your ID details, will be handled confidentially in accordance with applicable privacy laws.