By Lev Kramar, Integrity Legal Solutions · Calgary, Alberta
A notary public in Calgary is authorized to witness signatures, administer oaths, certify true copies of documents, and authenticate documents for use in Alberta and internationally. You typically need a notary for international document authentication, certain bank or government forms, statutory declarations, travel consent letters, and some property and immigration paperwork. Most lawyers in Alberta are also notaries public; fees for standard notarial services in Calgary typically range around $50 per document, with discounts for multiple documents.
Most people don’t think about notary services until they need one — and then they usually need one in a hurry. A bank form needs witnessing. A document for use abroad needs authentication. A passport application requires a certified copy. A statutory declaration is due tomorrow.
This guide explains what a Calgary notary public actually does, when you need one, what to bring, and what to expect on cost and timing.
What does a notary public do in Alberta?
A notary public is a person authorized under Alberta law to perform specific certifying functions:
- Witness and authenticate signatures on documents.
- Administer oaths and affirmations, including for statutory declarations and affidavits.
- Certify that a copy of a document is a true copy of the original.
- Authenticate documents for use in other jurisdictions, including under the Hague Apostille Convention (where applicable).
- Notarize signatures on contracts, powers of attorney, and other legal documents.
In Alberta, all practising lawyers are also notaries public by virtue of their call to the bar. There are also non-lawyer notaries (commissioners for oaths, notary publics appointed under specific authority), but the most common provider is a lawyer’s office.
When do you need a notary in Calgary?
The most common reasons people come to us for notarial services include:
International document authentication
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic transcripts, professional credentials, and similar documents are often required to be notarized and then authenticated by Global Affairs Canada for use in other countries. This is the largest single category of notary work in Calgary.
Bank and financial forms
Banks routinely require notarized signatures on certain forms — letters of direction, identity verification for accounts held in other countries, beneficiary designations, and similar paperwork. Each bank has its own list.
Statutory declarations
A statutory declaration is a formal written statement made under oath. It’s required for things like change-of-name applications, certain insurance claims, lost-document declarations, and many government processes.
Travel consent letters for minors
When a child is travelling abroad with one parent or with someone other than both parents, a notarized travel consent letter is often required (or strongly recommended) by border authorities.
Real estate and mortgage documents
Some real estate transactions, particularly those involving out-of-province or out-of-country parties, require notarized signatures on key documents.
Powers of attorney and personal directives
Personal directives and enduring powers of attorney require specific witnessing procedures under Alberta law, often best handled by a lawyer who can confirm the document is properly executed.
What’s the difference between a notary public and a commissioner for oaths?
Both can witness signatures and administer oaths in Alberta. A notary public can do more: certify true copies of documents, authenticate documents for international use, and provide notarial certificates that carry weight outside Alberta. A commissioner for oaths is limited to oaths and statutory declarations within Alberta.
For most international or cross-border purposes, you need a notary public, not just a commissioner.
What do you need to bring?
For most notary services in Calgary, plan to bring:
- The document(s) to be notarized, unsigned (you’ll sign in front of the notary).
- Government-issued photo ID — typically a driver’s licence or passport.
- A second piece of ID if available, especially for higher-value transactions.
- Any supporting documents required by the form you’re notarizing.
- For certified true copies, both the original and the copy you want certified.
If you’re unsure exactly what’s required, call ahead. A quick conversation can save a return trip.
How much does a notary cost in Calgary?
Standard notarial services in Calgary typically cost around $50 per document. Statutory declarations and simple witness fees tend to be at the lower end; complex authentications and multi-document packages sit higher. Multiple documents in a single appointment are usually discounted.
Travel consent letters, true-copy certifications, and standard bank-form witnessing usually take 10–20 minutes. International authentication packages can take longer because of the additional drafting and certification work.
How fast can a notary in Calgary see you?
Most Calgary notary appointments can be scheduled same-day or next-day. Walk-in availability varies by office. If you’re working against a tight deadline (a courier pickup, a flight, an embassy submission), call first to confirm availability before arriving.
At Integrity Legal Solutions, we accommodate same-day notary appointments when our schedule allows. Call ahead so we can confirm.
Can a notary refuse to notarize a document?
Yes, and we sometimes will. A notary must be satisfied that the signer understands what they’re signing, is signing voluntarily, and is who they claim to be. If any of those is in doubt — obvious confusion, apparent coercion, missing ID — the notary will decline. This isn’t adversarial; it’s the entire point of having a notary in the process.
We also can’t notarize documents that are incomplete, that have blanks to be filled in later, or that we have reason to believe are being used for an improper purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be an Alberta resident to use a Calgary notary?
No. You can have a document notarized in Calgary regardless of where you live, as long as you can attend in person with proper ID.
Can a notary in Calgary notarize documents in languages other than English?
Yes, in many cases. The notary needs to be confident that the signer understands the document. For documents not in English, a certified translation or an interpreter may be required.
Does a notarized document need to be authenticated for use overseas?
Usually yes. After notarization, documents going abroad typically need authentication by Global Affairs Canada, and in many cases legalization by the destination country’s consulate. The exact process depends on the receiving country.
Can a notary come to me?
Mobile notary services exist in Calgary for situations where the signer cannot easily travel — hospital, care facility, mobility issue. Fees are higher to account for travel time.
Talk to Lev
Buying a home at Taza Park, Taza Exchange, or Buffalo Run? We close leasehold purchases at Taza regularly and can move quickly when your possession date is tight.
Call (403) 466-6580 or email Lev@integrity-legal.ca to book a free 15-minute consultation. We close real estate transactions across Calgary and surrounding areas, with same-week turnarounds when timelines are tight.
Lev Kramar is the principal lawyer at Integrity Legal Solutions in Calgary. He focuses on residential and commercial real estate, with a particular interest in leasehold and new-build closings, including transactions at Taza on Tsuut’ina Nation land. Integrity Legal Solutions serves clients across Alberta, with a reputation for fast funds movement and direct, plain-language communication.
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