Wills & Estate Documents
Notary Stamp Scarborough
Will Witnessing, Affidavits of Execution and Certified Copies
Let us be straight about the boundary first: we do not draft wills and we do not give estate advice. What we do is the witnessing and swearing that estate documents require — and getting that part wrong is expensive to fix later, sometimes after the person who signed is no longer there to fix it.
The document most families end up needing is the affidavit of execution. It is sworn by one of the people who witnessed the will, and it is filed with the probate application. The practical moment to swear it is when the will is signed, while both witnesses are in the room — tracking a witness down years later is a common and avoidable problem.
We also certify true copies of wills, death certificates and estate paperwork for banks, insurers and the land registry, so you are not handing over originals. $20 per signature, seven days a week.
Proudly serving Scarborough, Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, Mississauga, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax and clients across Ontario.
Why Families Come to Us
- Affidavits of execution sworn while your witnesses are present
- Certified true copies so originals stay with you
- We check who is eligible to witness before anyone signs
- Open 7 days a week, walk-ins welcome
- $20 per signature with free printing on site
Wills and Estate Documents in Ontario
How a will is signed in Ontario
Under the Succession Law Reform Act, a formal will is signed or acknowledged by the testator in front of two or more attesting witnesses who are present at the same time, and those witnesses then sign the will in the testator’s presence. All three people in the room together is the part people get wrong — witnesses signing later, separately, is not the same thing.
There is one exception. A holograph will — written entirely in the testator’s own handwriting and signed by them — is valid without any witnesses at all.
The witness mistake that costs someone their inheritance
If a will is witnessed by a person who is left something in it, or by that person’s spouse, the gift to them is void. The will itself remains valid; it is only their inheritance that disappears. Asking the two adult children who drove you to the appointment to act as witnesses is exactly how this happens.
Choose witnesses who inherit nothing under the will, and who are likely to be findable years from now — because one of them will need to swear the affidavit of execution when the estate goes to probate.
The affidavit of execution, and why timing matters
When an estate is probated, the court needs sworn proof of how the will was signed. That is the Affidavit of Execution of Will or Codicil (Form 74D), sworn by one of the witnesses. If the will was altered or bears marks, an Affidavit of Condition (Form 74E) may be needed instead, and a handwritten will is proved with Form 74F, attesting to the handwriting and signature.
The sensible moment to swear Form 74D is the day the will is signed, while both witnesses are present and their memory of it is fresh. Leaving it until after a death means locating a witness who may have moved, or died.
What we do not do
We do not draft wills, set up trusts, or advise on how an estate should be arranged or who should inherit. That is legal work, and getting it wrong has consequences that no amount of notarizing can repair — speak to a lawyer who practises in estates.
What we provide is the notarial side: witnessing a signing, commissioning the affidavits the court requires, and certifying true copies of wills, death certificates and estate paperwork.
Estate Documents and Who Has to Swear Them
| The document | When it is needed | Who signs or swears it |
|---|---|---|
| Witnessing the will signing | When the will is executed | Two witnesses, together, in the testator’s presence |
| Affidavit of Execution (Form 74D) | Filed with a probate application | One of the will’s witnesses |
| Affidavit of Condition (Form 74E) | If the will was altered or marked | A witness or another suitable deponent |
| Holograph will affidavit (Form 74F) | To prove a handwritten will | Someone who can attest to the handwriting |
| Certified true copy of a will or death certificate | Banks, insurers, land registry | Not sworn — certified by the notary |
Download the current version of any court form from ontariocourtforms.on.ca. Forms are revised, and an out-of-date version can be refused at filing.
How It Works
Call or Book
Call 416-951-3301 or send us a message. We are open 7 days a week, including evenings by arrangement.
Visit the Office
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your unsigned documents. Free printing and copying is available on site.
Signed & Sealed
Your documents are witnessed, signed, and sealed on the spot — most visits take just a few minutes.
What to Bring for Estate Documents
- The unsigned will if it is being signed, or the original will for an affidavit of execution
- Valid photo ID for everyone signing or swearing
- Both witnesses if the will is being executed
- The court form (74D, 74E or 74F) if you already have it
- The death certificate if you need certified copies
- Your lawyer’s instructions, if a lawyer prepared the will
Free document printing and copying available on site. We accept Cash and e-Transfer.
Service Fees at a Glance
| Service | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Notarization of Documents | $20 first document · $15 each (2–5) · $10 each (5+) |
| Certification of Documents (Certified True Copies) | $20 first document · $15 each (2–4) · $10 each (5+) |
| Degree & Transcript Certification | $20 first document · $15 each (2–4) · $10 each (5+) |
| Commissioning (Oaths & Declarations) | $20 first document · $15 each (2–4) · $10 each (5+) |
| Consent to Travel Letters (child travel) | $20 per signature |
| Affidavits | $70 |
| Statutory Declarations | $20 per signature |
| OSAP Affidavits (student aid) | $20 per signature |
| Power of Attorney | $70 |
| Wills & Estate Documents | $20 per signature |
| Real Estate & Deed Documents | $20 per signature |
| Loan & Contract Notarization | $20 per signature |
| Single Status Declaration (marriage abroad) | $20 per signature |
| Letters of Invitation | $70 |
| Apostille | $100 |
| Travel Documents (Lieu of Guarantor) | Price upon request |
| Immigration Consulting | Price upon request |
| Landlord & Tenant Board Matters | Price upon request |
| Small Claims Court | Price upon request |
| Criminal Case | Contact for details |
Fees are determined by the number of notarization signatures, not the number of documents. Free printing and copying. We accept Cash and e-Transfer.
What Our Clients Say
5.0 ★★★★★ · 138 Google reviews
Amazing service! I was coming home late from class and needed to get a document notarized as soon as possible before the next day, and I called their office. Even though it was late and 10 minutes before closing time,…
Very fast and professional service. I recommend anybody with notary needs. Very fast and affordable.
Quick and easy service. He was very accommodating and understanding. I did about 12 documents and got the lowest price when compared to other offices.
Was helped by Ilya to put together my Document, he was helpful and very patient with me. Overall the service was excellent.
I went today for notary, had an excellent experience with him, so efficient and friendly. Totally recomended.
I have very positive experience with Ilya. He didn’t hesitate to accommodate us even it is holiday. He was professional, courteous and efficient. I appreciate his attention to detail and professionalism. I would defin…
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a will have to be notarized in Ontario?
No. A will is valid when it is signed according to the Succession Law Reform Act — by the testator in front of two witnesses present at the same time, who then sign in the testator’s presence. What usually needs to be sworn is the affidavit of execution, which the court requires when the estate is probated.
Can you write my will for me?
No. We do not draft wills, create trusts, or advise on how an estate should be arranged — that is legal work for a lawyer who practises in estates. We witness the signing, commission the affidavits the court needs, and certify copies.
Who should not witness a will?
Anyone who inherits under it, and their spouse. If they witness the will, the gift to them becomes void — the will still stands, but their inheritance does not. Choose witnesses who receive nothing under the will and who can be located years later.
What is an affidavit of execution and when do I need it?
It is Form 74D, a sworn statement by one of the will’s witnesses describing how the will was signed. It is filed with the application for probate. Without it, the court has no sworn proof that the will was properly executed.
Can we swear the affidavit of execution at the same time as signing the will?
Yes, and that is the practical time to do it — both witnesses are already present and the details are fresh. It saves your family the job of tracking a witness down years later, which is a common problem when an estate reaches probate.
My relative left a handwritten will. Is that valid?
A holograph will — written entirely in the person’s own handwriting and signed by them — is valid in Ontario without witnesses. To probate it, the court generally wants Form 74F, an affidavit attesting to the handwriting and signature, sworn by someone who can identify it.
Can you certify a copy of a will or a death certificate?
Yes. Bring the original and we will certify the copies, so you keep the original document rather than mailing it to a bank or insurer. See our certified true copies page for how that works.
Do you supply the court forms?
Bring the current version from ontariocourtforms.on.ca or from your lawyer — court forms are revised periodically and an outdated one can be refused at filing. If you email us the file, we print it free of charge on site.
How much does Wills & Estate Documents cost?
Service fee: $20 per signature. Fees are determined by the number of notarization signatures, not the number of documents. We accept Cash and e-Transfer.
Do I need an appointment?
We are open 7 days a week: Mon – Fri: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm, Sat – Sun: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Call 416-951-3301 before visiting so we can have everything ready — same-day and last-minute visits are usually no problem.
What should I bring?
A valid government-issued photo ID (Passport or Driver’s License) and your documents, unsigned — the notary must witness your signature. If you need certified copies, bring the original documents. Free printing and copying is available.
What areas do you serve?
Yes. Our office at 1225 Kennedy Road, Scarborough, Ontario, M1P 4Y1, Suite 2000, Unit #2020 serves Scarborough, Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, Mississauga, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax and clients from across Ontario.
Fast & Reliable Notary Services
- 416-951-3301
- kershtein@gmail.com
- 1225 Kennedy Road, Scarborough, Ontario, M1P 4Y1, Suite 2000, Unit #2020
- Mon – Fri: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Sat – Sun: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm