Land Documents, Including Land Abroad

Do you own land or a house in another country, or need to deal with a property matter from here in Ontario? Registries, banks and other parties often ask for signatures on land documents to be notarized. At Notary on Main in Brampton, we notarize signatures and certify copies of land documents, including for property located outside Canada, in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

What are land documents?

Land documents are papers about owning, buying, selling, transferring or using real property (land and buildings). Examples include:

  • documents for buying, selling or transferring property;

  • declarations or consents requested by a land registry, a bank or another party;

  • powers of attorney that let someone deal with your property for you (see our Power of Attorney section);

  • copies of deeds, title documents or property tax records that must be certified.

When the property is in another country, the documents are usually prepared under that country's rules, often by a lawyer, notary or other professional there, and the deed or registration itself takes place in that country. You sign here in Brampton, in front of our notary, and the document is then sent where it is needed.

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.

Buying, selling or mortgaging property in Ontario? Ontario real estate transactions are normally handled by a real estate lawyer, not by our notary service.

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.

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.

If your document is a power of attorney: notarization from $125.00 plus HST, and $15.00 extra per Affidavit of Witness if the document includes one. See our Power of Attorney section.