Main comparisons between
Public Notaries in Alberta and Nova Scotia Provinces
Published by Paragon Notary
on 9th July, 2021
Alberta
In the province of Alberta, the commissioner of oaths is authorized to administer and witness the swearing of oaths or solemn
affirmations in the taking of an affidavit for any probable legal matter under the provincial or state legislation.
Witnessing the signature process and certification service are common duties for the commissioner of oaths. Documents and
supplements may need authentication, attestation, certification or notarization. Your documents are important, let us notarize
them for you.
Areas of responsibilities for the commissioner of oaths include:
1. Oaths
2. Affirmations
3. Affidavits
4. Statutory declarations
5. Authentications
6. Power of attorney (by declarants or deponents)
7. Damaged, destroyed and lost passport statutory declaration
8. Witnessing any declaration as required under the respective provincial statutes
9. Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad
Nova Scotia
In Nova Scotia an individual may be a notary public, a commissioner of oaths, or both. A notary public
and a commissioner of oaths are controlled by the provincial Notaries and Commissioners Act. Persons
hold a commission granted to them by the Minister of Justice. Contact our expert consultant if you want
your official papers certified.
Under the Act a notary public has the "power of drawing, passing, keeping and issuing all deeds and
contracts, charter-parties and other mercantile transactions in this Province, and also of attesting all
commercial instruments brought before him for public protestation, and otherwise of acting as is usual
in the office of notary, and may demand, receive and have all the rights, profits and emoluments
rightfully appertaining and belonging to the said calling of notary during pleasure."
Under the Act a commissioner of oaths is "authorized to administer oaths and take and receive
affidavits, declarations and affirmations within the Province in and concerning any cause, matter or
thing, depending or to be had in the Supreme Court, or any other court in the Province."
Every barrister of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia is a commissioner of oaths but must receive an additional commission to act as a notary public.
"A
Commissioner of Oaths is deemed to be an officer of the Supreme Court of Nova
Scotia. Commissioners
take declarations concerning
any matter to come before a court in the Province." Additionally,
individuals with other specific qualifications, such as being a
current Member of the Legislative Assembly, commissioned officer of
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or Canadian Forces make
act as if explicitly being a commissioner of oaths. If you are unsure whether
your documents should be certified contact our specialist at Paragon Notary for advice.