Free Ontario document template
General Declaration / Affidavit Template
Download an adaptable starting point for setting out facts in a clear, numbered statement. Use the guide below to confirm whether you need an affidavit, a statutory declaration, or a recipient-specific form before you book commissioning.
Choose Word if you need to type and add rows; choose PDF if you plan to print and write neatly. Keep the signature line blank until you are with the commissioner or notary.
Confirm the recipient’s requirements first
A general template is useful only when the organization receiving your document accepts your own format. Courts, tribunals, government programs, insurers, schools, employers, banks, foreign authorities, and professional regulators may require a prescribed form, exact declaration wording, supporting records, witnesses, or a particular type of official.
Affidavit or declaration: what is the difference?
Affidavit
An affidavit is a written statement of facts that the person making it—the deponent—swears or solemnly affirms is true. Affidavits are often used as evidence in a court or administrative process and may need a case heading, court file number, numbered paragraphs, and exhibits.
Declaration
A declaration records facts that the declarant confirms are true. A statutory declaration uses wording authorized by legislation and may be required for a specific program or transaction. A declaration and an affidavit are not automatically interchangeable.
Ontario explains that commissioners take affidavits or declarations by asking a person to swear or affirm that the document is true, while a notary public has the powers of a commissioner and may also verify signatures, marks, or copies. Read Ontario’s official overview of notaries and commissioners if you are unsure which service the recipient requested.
What this template includes
- spaces for the deponent’s or declarant’s full legal name and location;
- a title and purpose line to identify the matter or requesting organization;
- numbered paragraphs for facts stated in a logical order;
- optional exhibit references for records identified in the statement; and
- a signing block for the oath or affirmation and the commissioner’s completion.
The template provides structure, not legal wording for every purpose. Delete unused prompts, but do not change language required by the recipient or by an applicable form. If the statement affects litigation, immigration, an estate, property rights, or another significant legal interest, consider asking a lawyer or licensed paralegal whether the document is suitable.
Prepare your statement in five steps
- Identify the purpose. Write down who will receive the document, why they need it, and any file, claim, application, or reference number.
- Use facts you can honestly confirm. State events in first person, use full names and exact dates where known, and separate each important fact into its own numbered paragraph. Avoid guesses and unnecessary personal information.
- Check names and records. Compare spellings, dates, addresses, and reference numbers with the supporting documents. Label any exhibit consistently and bring the original or requested copy.
- Remove blanks and unfinished choices. Complete every applicable field. Mark a field “not applicable” only when that is accurate and acceptable to the recipient.
- Save an unsigned copy. Do not sign, date the oath, or complete the commissioner’s section in advance. The official must see you swear or affirm and sign.
What to bring to your appointment
Your documents
- the completed but unsigned affidavit or declaration;
- the recipient’s instructions and any prescribed wording;
- every exhibit or supporting record referred to; and
- a spare clean copy if corrections may be needed.
Your identification
- valid, original government-issued photo identification;
- any additional identification the recipient requires; and
- the exact legal name you used in the document.
During the appointment, the official will review identification, ask whether you understand the document, administer an oath or affirmation, watch you sign, and complete the jurat or declaration block. Commissioning confirms that the required oath or declaration and signature process occurred; it does not prove every fact, guarantee acceptance, or make unsuitable wording legally effective.
If you want an online appointment, ask whether your document and its recipient permit remote commissioning. Ontario allows remote administration only when the applicable conditions are met, including real-time audio-visual communication. The official may request electronic copies in advance and explain how counterparts or completed copies will be handled.
Common questions
Can I sign the document before the appointment?
No. Leave the signature and commissioning section blank. If you signed early, the official may require a fresh copy and a new signature made in their presence.
Can the commissioner write my statement for me?
Commissioning and legal drafting are different services. Arrive with the facts and required wording prepared. If you need advice about what to say, what evidence to include, or the legal effect, consult an appropriate legal professional.
Will every organization accept this template?
No. Acceptance belongs to the receiving organization or decision-maker. Confirm its current requirements before relying on a general form.
Ready to swear or affirm your document?
Finish the form, keep it unsigned, and choose an in-person or online commissioning option that fits the recipient’s instructions.
Need a commissioner or notary?
Bring the unsigned document, valid identification and the receiving organization’s instructions. Eligibility for online commissioning depends on the document and recipient.
