1. What is a Notary Public?

​

A Notary Public can serve as an official witness to the execution (signing) of any document and attest to the fact that the signature is that of the person named in the document (identity corroboration). But, a Notary Public does not read through or evaluate documents before they are signed and cannot verify the truth or contents of them. A Notary Public also certifies copies of original documents as being true copies. However, does not certify that original documents are legitimate. It is up to the clients to ensure that the document is correct. A Notary Public is authorized to sign and seal documents that can be used within Canada (in Manitoba and other Provinces) as well as worldwide.

​

2. What is a Mobile Notary Public?

​

A Mobile Notary Public is a notary public service that conveniently comes to you. Instead of having a physical office, a Mobile Notary Public comes to any location such as your home, place of work, schools, residential and disability homes, hospitals or any other place that you may need. It is a good way for you to save time.

  

3. What is the difference between a Notary Public and a Commissioner by Oaths?

 

A Commissioner by Oaths can take or receive the oath or affirmation from a person who is signing an affidavit or statutory declaration. The documents must be Manitoba documents, staying in Manitoba. A Commissioner by Oaths cannot certify or verify documents (they cannot make a photocopy of an original document and state that it is a true copy of the original). Unlike commissioners for oaths, notaries can witness documents that are sent worldwide.

 

4. Does Mrs. Alicia Laufer have her signature registered?

 

Yes. Mrs. Laufer’s seal and signature are registered with the Companies Office of Manitoba located at 1034-405 Broadway Winnipeg, MB R3C 3L6.

​

5. How can I be certain that Laufer Notary's services are provided by a qualified individual?

 

Laufer Mobile Notary’s services are provided by Mrs. Alicia C. Laufer, a bilingual lawyer (English-Spanish) who is licensed by the Law Society of Manitoba (LSM) to practice law since 2014. Although Mrs. Laufer is licensed to practice law, she currently has a non-practising status as a lawyer, as she is focusing on her business. Mrs. Laufer’s good standing as a member of the LSM can be verified by searching the LSM’s website: http://www.lawsociety.mb.ca/lawyer-lookup.

Please note that Laufer Notary does not provide legal advice nor does it draft documents on behalf of clients.

 

Mrs. Laufer is, by virtue of office, a commissioner for taking affidavits in and for the courts in Manitoba. She has also been appointed to be a Notary Public for the Province of Manitoba since October 2014. 

 

6. What do I need to bring and/or have ready for my appointment?

 

For all services, you will need to have a valid government-issued identification (e.g. a passport, driver's licence, Canadian citizenship card, permanent resident card, etc.). In all cases, your identification documents must allow to verify your name, date of birth, current address, signature and likeness (photo). Your photo must always appear on at least one piece of valid government-issued identification.

 

For certified true copies of documents, you must bring the original documents and the copies needed to be certified. Also, please verify with the requesting institution prior to the appointment to see if they have specific requirements with respect to the certification of copies (e.g. notarial certificates, colour copies, multi-page documents, etc.).

 

For the notarization of signatures on documents, affidavits, statutory declarations, please ensure that all documents are completed prior to the appointment. However DO NOT sign or date your documents until you are before Mrs. Laufer. If you require a witness, please have one ready for the appointment with a piece of valid government-issued identification. Laufer Notary does not provide witnesses.

 

7. Does Laufer Notary have an office location? 

 

No, Mrs. Laufer only provides mobile services. She can meet clients at any location of their choice in Winnipeg and surrounding communities in Manitoba, subject to additional charges.

 

8. Does Mrs. Alicia C. Laufer guarantee her work?

 

Yes, she does guarantee her work. If there are any problems with her certifications, notarizations or commissions, she will redo the documents free of charge. However, clients are responsible for ensuring that they use the correct forms, are familiar with the forms’ requirements and complete them properly (i.e., anything incorrect outside of notarization falls outside of Mrs. Alicia C Laufer’s purview). Laufer Notary does not accept liability for clients who fail to do this.

If there are any problems with her notarizations, certifications, or commissions as a result of errors made by clients, she will redo them for a reduced fee, if the initial fee was already paid in full.

 

9. Does Laufer Notary provide legal advice or draft documents?

​

No, Mrs. Laufer does not provide legal advice nor does she draft any documents on behalf of her clients. She only provides notary public and commissioner for taking affidavits and statutory declarations services. No solicitor-client relationship is established by virtue of the delivery of these services. The clients are always responsible for reviewing the contents of their documents and seeking guidance from legal counsel concerning their specific legal matters. If you require legal advice, you cannot consult Mrs. Laufer due to her non-practising status at the Law Society of Manitoba. It is forbidden for Mrs. Laufer to provide any legal advice.

 

10. Is Canada a member of the Hague Convention (Apostille)?

​

No, Canada is not a signatory to the international treaty that allows for the apostilling of documents. There is a three step process to meet these requirements. 1) Notarization, 2) Authentication, and 3) Legalization. This is the Canadian alternative to apostilling documents by having firstly, the Notary Public's seal and signature, secondly, sending the document to the Companies Office for the authentication of seal and signature already registered there by the Notary Public and thirdly, sending the documents to be legalized by the foreign Consulate or Embassy in accordance with the different rules and fees of each country. Foreign governments and other bodies often require Canadian documents to undergo the validation process described above, before the government of each country will accept the documents for use abroad.

 

11. What is an authentication?

​

Some organizations require that after being notarized, documents have an Authentication certificate attached. This is a separate certificate which states that the signature and seal of the Notary is valid. This is a process by which in Manitoba, the Companies Office (a government authority) verifies the signature and seal of a Notary Public, which was previously registered. 

Please visit the web site below for more information:

http://companiesoffice.gov.mb.ca/instruction_sheets/authentication_faq.pdf

 

Authentication certificates are issued by the Companies Office which oversees Commissioners by Oaths and Notaries Public in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba. 

 

12. Does Laufer Notary provide document authentication?

 

Yes. Mrs. Alicia Laufer can have documents authenticated at the Companies Office for her clients on their behalf, however, this is a process that can also be done directly by the clients, without the help of a Mobile Notary Public. Please see the Fees section for this service.

 

13. What is a Legalization?

 

Once the documents are authenticated, documents must be legalized at the embassy or consulate of the country in which the documents are to be used and prior to being sent. It is important to contact the relevant embassy for details on the procedure, fees and processing time for legalization. This a service that needs to be done by the clients in order to receive their documents back to their own address. Mrs. Alicia C. Laufer cannot do this on behalf of her clients.