Commissioner of Oaths

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The Municipality of Brighton has registered Commissioners of Oaths or Commissioners for Taking Affidavits.

To confirm the identity of the person swearing or affirming to a document, proper identification (photo ID) such as a valid driver's license, current passport or any other government-issued photo identification must be presented along with the affidavit. The signing of the affidavit must be witnessed by the Commissioner.

A Commissioner of Oaths only certifies by affixing a stamp or seal that the required oath, affirmation, or declaration has been properly administered. Commissioners of Oaths do not certify the truth of the statements contained in a document.

The Commissioner of Oaths is not responsible for the content of the affidavit; it is the responsibility of the person whose signature is being commissioned (the deponent). The deponent must understand not only the details to which they will attest, but also the fact that they are swearing an oath that the details are correct.

Commissioner of Oaths Services

The Municipality of Brighton's Commissioners of Oaths can sign documents, at their discretion, that include but are not limited to the following:

Consent to travel with children (travel letters);
Proof of residency documentation;
Vehicle Transfers;
Insurance claims;
Pension plan documents;
Certify documents as 'true copies';
Certification of an identifiable individual's signature;
Government-related forms; and
Municipality of Brighton department forms.

The Commissioner of Oaths will not sign documents related to the following:

Wills;
Living wills;
Codicils to wills;
Powers of attorney;
Divorce, separation or custody;
Theft;
Real estate;
Court documents or documents related to court proceedings; and
Documents that require the signature of a Notary Public.

Please note: It is at the exclusive discretion of the individual Commissioner of Oaths whether or not they choose to sign the document. If a Commissioner of Oaths is uneasy about the identity of the deponent or the content of the document for any reason, the Commissioner of Oaths may refuse to sign the document and the deponent will be referred to a lawyer.

The Commissioner of Oaths will not prepare or edit affidavits, nor provide legal advice. The Commissioner of Oaths will not counsel or assist a person with completing the affidavit document. Any assistance required should be directed to the agency or party that has requested the form. The Clerk's office does not supply blank affidavit forms. The Clerk's Office does not provide interpreters for the signing of affidavits. It is the responsibility of the deponent to obtain and provide an interpreter, if required.

Notary Public

The Municipality of Brighton cannot notarize documents or certify any documents in the capacity of a Notary Public. Such requests are referred to law firms entitled to practice law in Ontario, Justice of the Peace or similar vocations eligible to notarize documents.

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