Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public

Overview of Commissioner for Oaths/Notary Public Program

The appointment and responsibilities of Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public are governed by various sections in both the Federal and Nunavut Evidence Acts.

The Nunavut Evidence Act allows the Minister of Justice of Nunavut to appoint individuals to these positions. Those wishing to apply to be appointed as either a Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public must apply to the Program Administrator as indicated below.

Staff in the office of the Program Administrator do NOT administer any of the following duties:

• Powers of Notary Public: Every notary public shall have, use and exercise the power of administering oaths attested by his or her signature and seal, attesting commercial instruments brought before the notary public for public protestation and giving of notarial certificates of his or her acts, and may demand, receive and have all the rights, profits and emoluments rightfully appertaining and belonging to the exercise of these powers.


• Power of Notary as Commissioner for Oaths: A notary public has and may exercise the powers of a commissioner for oaths and where the notary administers an oath or takes an affidavit or declaration within Nunavut, it is not necessary to its validity that the notary affix his or her seal to it.


• Powers of Commissioner for Oaths: Every commissioner for oaths may take any affidavit in any manner concerning any legal proceeding in Nunavut or in which the commissioner for oaths is authorized by any law or Act, although the application or matter is not made or pending in any Court.

Please note, the Department of Justice DOES NOT provide seals or stamps to those appointed as Commissioners for Oaths or Notaries Public.

For more information, please email CFONP@gov.nu.ca or 867-975-6590.

Applications can be sent to:

Legal Registries Division
Department of Justice
Government of Nunavut
P.O. Box 1000, Station 570
Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0

What is a Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public?

A Commissioner for Oaths is an individual who can administer oaths and take and receive affidavits, statutory declarations and affirmations only within Nunavut.

A Notary Public can also administer oaths and take and receive affidavits, statutory declarations and affirmations, for use both inside and outside Nunavut. A Notary Public can also certify true copies of documents.

The services of a Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public are needed in many situations. For example, a document used for court cases and other legal proceedings must be sworn or affirmed in front of a Commissioner for Oaths or a Notary Public in order to be admitted as evidence.