Co-venture Agreements

Going into a project with a partner, here or in another country? A co-venture agreement puts your arrangement in writing, and a partner, a bank or a foreign authority may ask for the signatures to be notarized. At Notary on Main in Brampton, we notarize signatures on co-venture agreements, in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

What is a co-venture agreement?

A co-venture agreement (often called a joint venture agreement) is a contract between two or more people or businesses who agree to work together on a specific project or business activity. It usually sets out:

  • what each party contributes (money, property, work or expertise);

  • how decisions are made;

  • how costs, profits and risks are shared;

  • how the arrangement ends.

Co-ventures are often used for property projects and for business projects involving partners in more than one country.

In Ontario, a co-venture agreement generally does not need to be notarized to be binding. A notarized signature is usually requested by a partner, a bank or a foreign authority, or because the agreement will be used outside Canada.

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.

How a co-venture is structured can have legal and tax consequences, so it is wise to get legal advice before you sign.

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.

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.