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 Northwest Territories Evidence Acts.

The Northwest Territories Evidence Act allows the Minister of Justice of the Northwest Territories 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 outlined on this website.

Staff in the office of the Program Administrator do not administer oaths, take and receive affidavits, statutory declarations or affirmations or provide any of the other services of those who are appointed as a Commissioner for Oaths or a Notary Public.


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 the Northwest Territories.

A Notary Public can also administer oaths and take and receive affidavits, statutory declarations and affirmations, but both inside and outside the Northwest Territories. 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.

For more information, please contact:

Legal Registries

Postal Address Legal Registries Department of Justice Government of the Northwest Territories PO Box 1320 Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9 Canada

Courier Address Legal Registries Department of Justice Government of the Northwest Territories 1st Floor, Stuart M. Hodgson Building 5009-49th Street Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9 Canada

Phone:     (867) 873-7493
Fax:         (867) 873-0243
Toll Free: (877) 743-3302

Office Hours are weekdays from 9:30am - 4:00pm