Is it legal to virtually witness my Will and Power of Attorney?

Yes. As of April 7, 2020, you can virtually witness and physically sign these documents via video conference, pursuant to the May 2021 amendments to the Ontario Succession Law Reform Act and Substitute Decisions Act (formerly O. Reg. 129/20). Note that virtual witnessing is entirely different from virtual commissioning (also known as digital signing or e-signing).

Virtual witnessing allows you to meet with a NotaryPro Notary Public via online video to have us witness you physically sign your Will and/or Power of Attorney with pen on paper.

The NotaryPro service provider will then physically ‘wet ink' sign and commission a duplicate “counterpart” paper copy of your documents. In others words, we print the exact same document and sign it on our side of the webcam.

Then what? We then mail/courier the signed documents to you, completing the Will and Power of Attorney signing process in accordance with Ontario law, and in BC under Ministerial Orders M161/M162 and the BC Wills, Estates and Succession Act.

In summary:

1. You upload a digital copy of your Will / Power of Attorney upon booking your appointment at instant.notarypro.ca (PDFs are best)
2. You print your Will / Power of Attorney at home or at the office.
3. You join a video call link with the NotaryPro Notary Public and our provided second witness.
4. The Notary Public and the second witness will both virtually witness you physically sign your documents.
5. The Notary Public and the second witness will the physically sign their counterpart copy and mail it back to you along with the signed Affidavit(s) of Execution. 
6. There is no digital signature process for virtual witnessing.

Book your virtual witnessing (will signing) appointment now.

Notes:

Virtual Will Witnessing is only available to Ontario Residents at this time. 

All remaining provincial residents outside of Ontario can utilize our in person witnessing and notary service using our Find a Notary Service.