Administering oaths

Documents that can be sworn

You may swear in to use a document intended for use in Québec only.

Examples:

  • You have to submit a solemn declaration along with your file at the Small Claims Division of the Court of Québec.
  • You have to submit an administrative form to a body that requires a sworn statement.

Certified true copy

You may have to provide certified true copies of the original documents required to process your file in certain proceedings with public or private organizations.

Contact the organization that issued the original document to find out how to get a certified true copy.

Swearing-in process

A Commissioner for Oaths can swear you in. The Commissioner has roles and responsibilities.

The oath must be administered in your presence. You may take the oath in person or remotely.

Swearing in in person

Before swearing in, you must read the document and make sure it’s correct.

You must then declare under oath, before the Commissioner for Oaths, that everything stated in the document is true.

You must sign the document in the presence of the Commissioner for Oaths. If your signature was already on the document before swearing in, you must sign the document again in the Commissioner’s presence.

On the document, the Commissioner for Oaths adds:

  • the place;
  • the date;
  • their signature;
  • their title and the scope of the commission;
  • their commissioner number.

The Commissioner may use a stamp bearing their name, title and number. However, stamps are not mandatory and do not make a document more valid.

Remote swearing in

You may swear in via technological means (e.g.: videoconference) if the Commissioner for Oaths can offer this service.

The remote process is the same as in-person.

The technological means must allow you and the Commissioner for Oaths to:

  • simultaneously see and hear each other;
  • see the document that is being sworn in;
  • ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the documents shared.

An oath over the phone is not valid.

Electronic signature

Signatures may be affixed by various technological means provided they clearly identify the signatories and the manifestation of their consent.

You may use your electronic signature to sign the document and send it to the Commissioner for Oaths.

If you don’t have an electronic signature, you may sign the document by hand, scan it, and then send it.

Sending the document

You may e-mail the document or leave it in a secure location which the Commissioner for Oaths can access.

Document processing by the Commissioner

The Commissioner for Oaths signs the document. The Commissioner indicates on the document that the oath was administered remotely. The Commissioner returns the document to you.

Fees

Swearing in can be free.

However, the Commissioner for Oaths may charge up to $5 per oath, at their discretion.

Examples:

  • You have to be sworn in for 5 documents, and the Commissioner decides not to charge any fees for administering 5 oaths.
  • You have to be sworn in for 1 document, and the Commissioner decides to charge $5 for administering 1 oath.
  • You have to be sworn in for 3 documents, and the Commissioner decides to charge $15 for administering 3 oaths (3 x $5 = $15).

Last update: April 17, 2023

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