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Notary Public and Apostille, explained plainly

Most people come across these terms only when they need a document accepted somewhere unfamiliar. Here’s a simple explanation of what each service does and an introduction to the team behind MANS Notary & Apostille Services.

01. NOTARIZATION

What is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is a person authorized by the province to witness signatures, administer oaths, and certify that a document or a copy of a document is genuine. Their signature and seal provide assurance to the person reviewing your document often someone in another office or another country that a qualified official has verified the identity of the signer and confirmed when the document was signed.

In Ontario, notarial services commonly include affidavits, statutory declarations, powers of attorney, certified true copies, and the commissioning of oaths for use in court proceedings, government matters, and other official purposes.

02. APOSTILLE

What is an Apostille?

An Apostille is a certificate issued for a Canadian public document to verify the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp on it. It enables the document to be recognized in countries that are signatories of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention without requiring additional embassy or consular legalization.

An Apostille does not change the content or validity of your document. It simply confirms the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp, allowing foreign registrars, courts, and employers to accept it with confidence similar to how a Notary’s seal provides assurance to Canadian institutions.

Want to understand the bigger picture why these services exist, the Ontario laws that govern them, and how the process works from start to finish? Explore our in-depth guides.: Understanding Notary Public services or Understanding Apostille certification.

WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
Muhammad Ashraf, Licensed Paralegal & Notary Public

Muhammad Ashraf, Licensed Paralegal & Notary Public

MANS Notary & Apostille Services is run by Muhammad Ashraf, a Licensed Paralegal & Notary Public and his experienced team. Every notarization and Apostille submission is handled  professionally, not passed off to a call centre or a rotating cast of contractors.

CREDENTIAL

Licensed Paralegal

Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario and committed to the professional and ethical standards established by Ontario’s legal regulator.

CREDENTIAL

Notary Public & Commissioner for Oaths

Authorized to witness signatures, administer oaths, and certify true copies for use in Canada and abroad.

APPROACH

Fully mobile service

We meet you at your home, workplace, or another convenient location across our service area, with same-day appointment and walk-in availability.

WHY IT MATTERS

What a Notary Public actually protects

A notarization isn't just a formality. It's a safeguard.

Verifying who you are

Before witnessing a signature, a Notary Public verifies government-issued photo identification and ensures that the signer understands the document and is signing voluntarily, without undue influence or coercion. This verification gives institutions confidence in the document’s authenticity, even when they are not present to witness the signing themselves.

Preventing fraud

By verifying identity and witnessing signatures firsthand, a Notary Public provides an important safeguard against forged signatures and fraudulent documents whether for a Power of Attorney, property transfer, or sworn affidavit. It is a small but essential step that helps protect the integrity of important documents.

Want to verify a Notary Public’s credentials before your appointment, whether with us or another provider? In Ontario, many Notaries Public are lawyers or paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. You can confirm a Notary’s licensing status directly through the Law Society’s online directory. lso directory.

WHERE WE WORK

Fully mobile, we come wherever you are

MANS Notary & Apostille Services provides same-day appointments, walk-in availability, and mobile services across the following areas. We can meet you at your home, workplace, or another location that is convenient for you, with courier options available throughout Ontario.

Kitchener–Waterloo Cambridge Brampton Burlington Milton Guelph Georgetown Mississauga Oakville
+ more

Don't see your city listed? Mobile appointments can typically be arranged anywhere across our service area and surrounding region. Send an inquiry and we'll confirm availability for your location.

Where we meet clients for mobile appointments

We come to a location that works best for you. Some of the areas we regularly serve include:

Client's home
Hospitals
Courts
Airports, including Pearson
Universities & schools
Boardrooms
Business corporations
Hotels
Retirement homes
Banks & credit unions
Financial institutions
Theatres
Film & recording studios
READY WHEN YOU ARE

Have a document that needs Notarization or Apostille?

Request an appointment for a specific time, or send an inquiry if you would like to ask questions about your document first.

Request an Appointment Send an Inquiry