Business and Corporate Contracts

Signing an important business agreement, or asked by a bank, a partner or an authority abroad for notarized company documents? At Notary on Main in Brampton, we notarize signatures on business and corporate documents and certify copies of corporate records, in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Which business documents?

Business and corporate documents we are commonly asked about include:

  • commercial contracts and agreements between businesses;

  • partnership agreements;

  • commercial leases;

  • articles of incorporation and other corporate records, such as by-laws and resolutions.

In Ontario, most business contracts are binding without notarization. A notarized signature or a certified copy is usually requested by the other party, a bank or a foreign authority, or because the document will be used outside Canada.

Articles of incorporation are filed with the government (the Ontario Business Registry for Ontario corporations, or Corporations Canada for federal corporations); notarization is not part of that filing. What we can do is certify copies of your articles and other corporate records when someone asks for certified copies, for example a bank or an authority in another country.

How Notary on Main can help

  • We notarize signatures. We confirm your identity, you sign in front of the notary, and we notarize your signature.

  • We certify copies. We compare copies with the original documents and certify them as true copies.

  • For use in Ontario and abroad. Our notarizations can be used in Ontario and, with an apostille or authentication where required, in other countries.

Please note: notarizing a signature confirms the identity of the person signing and that they signed in front of the notary. It is not legal advice on the content of the document, and our notary service does not prepare or review your document. For Ontario real estate matters or legal advice, you can contact Orlando Santos | Law Firm.

We do not prepare or review contracts. For legal advice on a business agreement, you can contact Orlando Santos | Law Firm.

Documents for use abroad: apostille and authentication

Many countries need proof that the notary's signature and seal are genuine. This step is done by the government, not by the notary:

  • Apostille. Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention effective January 11, 2024. In Ontario, Official Documents Services (ODS) issues apostilles for documents notarized by an Ontario notary public, for use in Convention countries.

  • Certificate of authentication. For countries that are not members of the Convention, ODS issues a certificate of authentication instead. The destination country's consulate may then need to legalize it.

If your document is not in English or French, ODS requires a translation before it can be authenticated. Always check with the person or institution receiving the document which steps they require.

More information: our Apostille page, Ontario: Authenticate a document for use outside Canada.

What to bring

  • Valid government-issued photo ID. For example, a passport or a Canadian driver's licence. For documents to be used abroad, we recommend the passport of the country where the document will be used, or your Canadian passport.

  • Your document, unsigned. You will sign it in front of the notary. Please do not sign it beforehand.

  • Witnesses, if your document requires them. We do not provide witnesses; you must bring them. Each witness must also bring valid government-issued photo ID.

  • If you are signing on behalf of a company, the receiving party may want proof that you are authorized to sign (for example, a resolution). Ask them what they need, and bring it with you.

  • For certified copies of corporate records, bring the original documents or the official corporate records.

Languages

We notarize documents in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Service in Hindi and Punjabi is also available with Priya Kaushal, a member of our team.

Book an appointment

Call or email us to book. Tell us what the document is and where it will be used, and we will confirm what to bring and give you a quote.

Notary on Main, the notary division of Orlando Santos | Law Firm

195 Main Street North, Upper Floor, Brampton, ON L6X 1N2

Hours: by appointment only. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 1 PM to 6 PM. Other times on request.

Phone: (647) 963-9227

Email: orlando@santoslawpc.com

See all our Critical Documents.

Helping people with essential documents since 1984.

This page is general information, not legal advice.

Fees

Contact us for a quote. Government apostille or authentication fees, and any consulate fees, are separate and are paid to those offices.