Commissioning of Documents

When and Where Commissioning is Done

• Commissioning is done at the Citizens First counter, second floor, City Hall. The only exception is for Proof of Life documents. Commissioning for these documents is done in Legal and Clerks Services, third floor, City Hall.
• Due to the length of time required to complete the commissioning process, commissioning cannot be done after 4 p.m.
• The fee for commissioning is $20.50 for each affidavit and $3.05 for each attachment that is part of that affidavit. (including tax). There is no charge for Proof of Life documents.

What to Bring With You

• The person named in the document being commissioned must be present.
• One piece of not-expired government-issued photo identification with a signature must be presented. The name on the identification must be the same as the name on the document being commissioned. We cannot accept photocopies or pictures on phones. We cannot accept combinations of identification (e.g. a photo in one form of identification and a signature as part of another form).
• The City only provides a general affidavit. If you require a specific affidavit from an organization or for a specific purpose you are responsible for obtaining the affidavit and bringing it with you to City Hall.
• Any exhibits that are part of your affidavit must be brought to City Hall with your affidavit.

Helpful Information Before You Come to City Hall

• We do not offer translation services for documents that are not in English and we do not offer translation services for asking the Jurat.
• If the Commissioner does not believe the person can fully understand the oath being asked then a translator who speaks English and the language of the individual(s) is needed and must be provided by the person having the document commissioned. This translator will need to also sign a document that involves a fee of $20.05.
• We cannot provide advice on how to complete the affidavit.
• We will cross out any blank areas at the time of signing to prevent those from being filled in after the commissioning.
• Documents need to be signed in front of the commissioner. Do not sign documents in advance.
• Documents cannot have any whiteout on them. If an error is made, please cross  out the error and initial the error.
• If an organization rejects the documents that we have commissioned we do not offer refunds or re-commission new documents free of charge.

Documents the City will commission

• City of St. Catharines generated documents
• Transfer ownership of a vehicle
• Amendment to birth / death / marriage certificate
• Delayed statement of live birth
• Immunization exemption forms
• Domestic and foreign pension documents (proof of life – no fee for this service)
• Statutory declaration of apprenticeship hours
• Statutory declaration of lost identification
• Proof of residency (owner/tenant letters)
• Affidavit of proof of lost for motor vehicle (from an insurance company)
• Statutory declaration for OSAP – statement of common-law status/supporting children
• Legal name change forms
• Statutory declaration by a person for a change of sex designation
• Consent to travel with children (travel letters)
• Invitation letters for a visitors Visa
• Statutory declaration of progress payment hold back security deposits
• Statutory declaration of theft of GST/HST or Federal cheque

Documents the City will not commission

• Notary Public documents
• Estate settlement documents, wills, living wills, codicils to wills / certificate of appointment of estate trustee
• Divorce, separation, marriage or cohabitation agreements
• Litigation guardian affidavits
• Power of attorney documents
• Custody documents
• Documents involving debts / bankruptcy
• Real estate related documents
• Court, legal or civil issue related documents
• Statement of arrear
• Tender documents
• Declaration of translator
• Age of majority or BYID card applications
• Certified true copies