What is a Commissioner of Oaths?
A Commissioner of Oaths is a person who is authorized by the Province of Ontario to take an oath when you sign an affidavit or statutory declaration. They are given this authority by the Ministry of the Attorney General. The Commissioner is not responsible for the content of the affidavit.
A Commissioner of Oaths is not the same as a "Notary Public". A Notary Public is a person who is authorized under the Notaries Act to do various things, including commission documents, certify documents as true copies and to verify signatures. If you require the services of a Notary Public, please contact a Lawyer's Office.
What Can Be Commissioned?
The following is a list of some of the documents that Municipal staff can commission:
- Declaration Affirming Parentage
- Election to Change Name of Child under the age of 12 (Service Ontario form)
- Legal Name Change Application
- Vehicle Ownership Transfers -Sworn statement for a transfer of a used vehicle in the Province of Ontario (Service Ontario)
- Pension Purposes – Attestations a person is alive and confirming residency (there is no charge for this service)
- Delayed birth registrations
- Application to amend birth registrations
- Common law or single status affidavits (Government forms only)
- Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief – Immunization of School Pupils Act
- Municipal planning applications related to matters within the geographical limits of the Municipality (note that these documents are commissioned for free)
If you do not see the document you want commissioned in the above list, we invite you to call the Clerk’s office to determine if the document can be commissioned by Municipal staff.
IMPORTANT: do not sign the affidavit section of the document
What Can Not Be Commissioned
The following is a list of documents that Municipal staff cannot commission:
- Any affidavit related to divorce, separation, child custody or estates (including documents required by the Family Responsibility Office)
- Documents that need to be certified or if true copies need to be provided
- Forms which are required to be commissioned but also require true copies of attachments. Commissioners of Oaths cannot certify attachments. The exception is a federal government residency application
- Affidavits of true affidavits required for an applicant of a marriage licence
- Any court-related documents
- Consent letter to travel with children
- Documents that are leaving the country
- Real estate documents
- Wills
- Powers of Attorney
- Documents which require a Notary Public to affix their seal
- Insurance Claims
- Statutory Declarations in Lieu of Guarantor - Passport Applications and Permanent Residence Cards
What To Bring To Your Appointment
- Your completed document
Do not sign the affidavit section of the document. All documents to be commissioned must be signed in the presence of the Commissioner of Oaths - Identification
Unexpired government photo identification (driver’s licence, passport). Please note that the Municipality does not accept health cards for this purpose
Cost
$15.00 for each document to be sworn
Freedom of Information
The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) provides individuals with the right to access certain records and personal information under the custody and control of the Township. The purpose of the MFIPPA is two-fold; providing access to information and protection from access to information in certain specific instances.
Please contact the Clerk's Department for assistance. In most cases, information is made readily available to the public and you won't need to make a formal request. The municipality may in some cases restrict access to certain documents to protect individual privacy or the public interest.
For more detailed information please contact the Township Office or visit the website of the Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
Cost
$5.00/application
Charitable Lottery Licence
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates charitable lottery licensing in Ontario and authorizes the Township of Lanark Highlands to issue licences for lottery shemes conducted within the Township that meet certain criteria including:
- Bingo events with prize boards $5,000 and under;
- Media bingo events;
- Raffle lotteries for total prizes $50,000 and under;
- All break open ticket lotteries not licenced by the provincial office; and
- Bazaars (Bingo maximum $500; Raffle maximum $500; maximum 3 wheels of fortune).
Canada's Criminal Code only permits charitable and religious organizations to conduct lottery schemes to raise funds pursuant to an issued lottery licence. Organizations must have a demonstrated charitable or religious mandate to qualify. The courts have determined that the term "charitable" refers to organizations which provide programs for:
- the relief of poverty;
- the advancement of education;
- the advancement of religion; and
- other charitable purposes beneficial to the community.
The following are prerequisites to be considered eligible for a lottery licence:
- Organizations must have been in existence for at least one (1) year;
- Organizations must have a place of business in Ontario;
- Organizations' primary purpose must be to provide charitable services in Ontario; and
- Organization must use the proceeds of any lottery scheme for objects or purposes which benefit Ontario residents.
The primary purposes of an organization are determined by considering:
- the mandate of the organization as set out in its' incorporation documents or documents stating the organization's objectives;
- the objectives of the organization as described in its' application for licence; and
- the services which have actually been provided by the organization to the community.
First time applicants should, in addition to the materials required with the application as identified in the lottery licencing policies, provide the following information or documents:
- A copy of the articles of incorporation or constitution and/or by-laws.
- A copy of the budget or financial statements for the preceding and coming years.
- Any other information that will assist in determining the charitable nature of the objects and purposes. This could include an annual report, charitable number for income-tax purposes and the fact that it meets the reporting requirements of the Charities Accounting Act.
- The proposed use of proceeds must be consistent with the primary objects and purposes of the organization which must be of a charitable nature consistent with at least one of the four classifications of charitable purposes.
- Bingo & Media Bingo:3% of total prize board.
- Raffle: 3% of total prize value.
- Break Open Tickets: 3% of prize value per box.
- Bazaar: 3% of prize value for bingo or raffle; $10/wheel.
For organizations that have previously held a municipal lottery licence, forty-eight (48) hours is required from the time the completed lottery licence application and documentation are submitted to the municipal office, until the licence is issued. This will ensure efficient and accurate licencing of all organizations.
Get In Touch
Township of Lanark Highlands
75 George Street
Lanark, ON K0G 1K0
Clerk
Phone: 613-259-2398 ext. 231
Email:
