By Steven Wilder
A friend of my mother-in-law reached out to me recently. She said she had a document that had to be sworn by a ‘commissioner’. She tried calling her priest, her municipality, the police, and even a company with the name commissioner in their name, but no one was able to help her.
Many people contact me asking if I can ‘commission’ a document for them. This is the process where an authorized individual (judges, lawyers, paralegals, etc.) give an oath and the person signing the document ‘swears’ or ‘affirms’ that the document is true.
Most often the need for a commissioner comes up when people are gifting a vehicle to a family member, their children are travelling internationally without both of their parents, or someone has lost their passport.
While people may have had difficulties finding a commissioner in the past, that is about to get much easier. Effective March 1, more people will be authorized to act as commissioners. Articling students (law school graduates working in law firms), First Nations police and Council members, MPP constituency staff, SeviceOntario staff, and even Conservation Reserve Managers or Park Wardens, will now be authorized to act as a commissioner. Of course, judges, lawyers, paralegals, municipal Clerks and members of Council will still be authorized to provide this service.
This seemingly small and insignificant change, is actually great news, as it provides more options for people when they are in need of a commissioner. It is even more impactful for people who live in rural or remote areas, who used to have to drive to ‘the City’ to find someone willing to help.
As for my mother-in-law’s friend, I met with her last week. She was so thankful for me being willing to help her. However, when I reviewed the documents, I realized she didn’t need a commissioner. She just needed 2 references for her passport renewal. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help.
