The City’s Legal Department can witness certain documents and provide certified copies for a fee. This service is by appointment only.

Witnessing of documents is by appointment only. Please arrange an appointment before coming to City Hall by emailing legal@stjohns.ca. A copy of the document(s) you wish to have witnessed or certified must be sent with your appointment request.

We cannot witness any of the following types of documents:

• Wills and estates (including power of attorney)
• Family law (child custody, divorce, travel by custodial parent, etc.)
• Personal finance (any documents dealing with financial issues, insurance, pensions, etc.)
• Passport or Visa applications
• Real estate (purchases, sales, transfers, etc.)

Please note:

• A maximum of three documents per appointment for certified copies
• Staff do not provide legal advice or draft documents
• Notaries are only required when witnessing or certifying documents that are being sent outside the Province or outside of Canada. Commissioners can only witness or certify documents that are for use in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• If we are unable to witness your document or provide you with an appointment, there are a number of private Notary Publics and Commissioners of Oaths offering witnessing services in the St. John's metropolitan area. 

Fees and Payment

The base fee for Notary and Commissioner signatures is $25 plus HST, which covers up to three signatures per appointment. Appointments involving more than three signatures are accommodated with adjusted pricing based on the total number of signatures.

If more than three signatures are required, fees increase in tiers:

• 4 to 6 signatures: $50 plus HST
• 7 to 9 signatures: $75 plus HST
• 10 to 12 signatures: $100 plus HST
• And so on, with each additional signature increasing the fee accordingly

Payment must be made at the Access Centre on the first floor of City Hall. Legal Department staff cannot collect any fees. Clients must present a payment receipt and valid photo identification to have documents witnessed.

City affidavits for the seniors tax discount or the Non-Profit Housing Division are not subject to the witnessing fee but still require an appointment.