Find a Toronto Notary Public - Lawyer in - Scarborough, Markham, Richmond Hill, North York, Vaughan, Woodbridge, Brampton, Etobicoke, Mississauga

The Virtual Law Office of
Vinh T. Tran, Esq.
Barrister & Solicitor, Attorney-At-Law, Notary Public,
a Commissioner of Oaths
in and for the Courts and the Province of Ontario

188-639 Dupont Street, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1Z4

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Text: 647-209-7389
Email: vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com

Embrace Frugality. Stop Overpaying.
FREE LEGAL FORMS AND TEMPLATES
HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY 730AM TO 930PM
Review my FEES CAREFULLY.

I DO NOT take kindly to questions about FEES via telephone. I am a PRACTISING AND BUSY LAWYER, I do not have the time to repeat the FEES clearly listed on this website. I am a sole practitioner. I work alone. I often have a very busy schedule helping clients. It is rude and unprofessional to be constantly picking up phone calls answering questions about fees while providing legal services to clients. You would not want a lawyer to be distracted answering phone calls while helping you with your case. Also, I aim to not wasting your time and my time by disclosing everything about my fees and services as well as all the answers to all the questions you could ever think about notarization, authentication, legalization and apostille procedures on my website. Any other questions you may have or a request for an appointment can be done through the more efficient means by texting 647-209-7389 or email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com.

DIRECTION: Located at the intersection of Dupont and Christie.

TTC: Closest Subway Station is Christie Station NOT Dupont Station. If you come by Dupont Station, you will be walking a lot longer to the Dupont Christie destination.

From the North at St. Clair West Subway Station, take the 126 Christie Bus that leaves the station at .15 and .45 on the hour, and stop at Dupont and Christie.

From the South at Christie Subway Station, take the 126 Christie Bus that leaves the station at .30 and .60 on the hour, and stop at Dupont and Christie.

From the West at Jane Station, take the 26 Dupont Bus that heads to St. George Station, and stop at Dupont and Christie. Bus times varied.

From the East at St. George Station, take the 26 Dupont Bus that heads to Jane Station, and stop at Dupont and Christie. Bus times varied.

Recommended Android Application Transit Now

PARKING: Free parking available at 657 Dupont Street Starbucks and across at 650 Dupont Street Loblaws.

HOW TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
A typical request via Text 647-209-7389 or Email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com:

Please advise the following:
1. Type of Document Requiring Notarization
2. Option per Fees Schedule
3. Date
4. Time

Scenario 1
Client: Hey Vinh, I need two documents notarized, can we meet at 657 Dupont Street Starbucks around 2pm today?
Lawyer: Sure, review my website for my pictures, credentials and fees. Text if you get there early or will be late. Remember photo ID's.
Client: Cool, see you later.

Scenario 2:
Client: Hi Mr. Tran, can you email me a sample Affidavit?
Lawyer: Call me Vinh please. We are not in court and you are not an opposing party. In any event, please see the attached Affidavit. You will need to make the appropriate revisions to fit your situation. If you need a final critique just email it back to me.
Client: Thanks Vinh, I've completed the Affidavit, can you make a visit to my place at 555 Fake Street, tomorrow at 5pm? I understand and accept the fees clearly listed on your website.
Lawyer: Affirmative and thank you. See you tomorrow at your place. Vinh

Scenario 3:
Client: Hi, I need a document commissioned, how much do you charge?
Lawyer: Please review my website as all the information you need can be found there. Fees depend on the option, date and time.
Client: Awesome, ...great description on your website. Can we meet on Monday at Starbucks at 845am?
Lawyer: Confirmed. See you tomorrow. Bring photo ID's. A receipt is provided. Vinh

DO NOT BE LATE: Please CALL 647-209-7389 or TEXT 647-209-7389 or email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com in advance if you know you will be late, exp. "Vinh, I'm going to be late. Can we meet 10 minutes later than the appointment time?" is suffice. All I am asking for is giving me notice prior to the appointment time. When you are late for your appointment you are making me late for my other appointments. Please use Google Maps for ETA estimate time of arrival. When you indicate that you are 10 minutes away, it means 10 minutes away. It does not mean 11 minutes or 30 minutes away. Being late is understandable. However, there is no excuse for not being able to give advance notice. I do not need apologies and excuses. I just need advance notice that you will be late. I do not entertain the waiting game. I DO NOT TOLERATE PEOPLE WHO ARE LATE TO THEIR OWN APPOINTMENTS. I DO NOT OPERATE LIKE OTHER LAW OFFICES WHERE YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR ME TO GET AROUND SERVING YOU. I EXPECT THE SAME RESPECT FOR MY TIME. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THIS POLICY THEN PLEASE CONTINUE TO SEARCH ELSEWHERE FOR ANOTHER LAWYER WHO CAN HELP YOU. I am always on time. If you are requesting for me to meet with someone for a notarization in an office setting, that person should not make me wait, my time is not less important than that person's time. I will always be early to a meeting, unless you are willing to pay me by the hour, please do not make me wait a minute longer than the scheduled time. A minute gone can never be regained by any force on earth. I will not engage with persons who do not respect my time. I will advise that you seek another lawyer for help who may be more forgiving of time wasted.

"If I made an appointment with you, I owe you punctuality, I have no right to throw away your time." Richard Cecil

"We are not saints, but we have kept our appointment. How many people can boast as much?" Samuel Beckett

"The while we keep a man waiting, he reflects on our shortcomings" French Proverb

EARLY ARRIVAL: Please text 647-209-7389 or email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com once you arrived at the designated location and I will be right over.

MISSED APPOINTMENT: Missed appointment without prior notice will get an invoice for time wasted and your contact will be placed on a blacklist until payment is made to my office. Until then, I would suggest contacting another lawyer who is more forgiving of time wasted.

Preparation for a meeting with the lawyer/notary public:

DO NOT SIGN the application/form/letter. However, it is EXPECTED that you will have already completed the application/form/letter before our meeting. DO NOT MAKE a lawyer wait for you to complete the application or REGULAR FEE and WAITING FEE may apply.
DO NOT BE LATE. Please call or text 647-209-7389 or email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com in advance if you know you will be late. Being late is understandable. However, there is no excuse for not being able to give me notice. I do not entertain the waiting game.
Two (2) non-expired government issued identifications. At least one of the identifications must bear a photo.
If applicable, when you are requesting certified true copy certification, you must bring the original document/degree/passport etc as well as a copy of the same for my seal and certification statement.
Exact Fee is appreciated.

Policies Regarding Your Identity and Your Documents:

To combat fraud, the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC), which governs lawyers and law firms practicing in the Province of Ontario, Canada, has amended its Bylaw 7.1 which now requires all lawyers to make identification and verification of ALL clients; Similar regulations are now also in place in most other Canadian jurisdictions.

As a result, please NOTE the following information about yourself MUST now be obtained by my office to comply with the LSUC's identification requirements:

Individual Client:

Full name - VERIFICATION VIA PHOTO ID'S (non-expired photo IDs.).
Home address and home telephone number
Business address and phone number
E-mail address
Occupation
Copy or photograph of the document where the seal lands.

Organization Client:

Organization’s full name
Organization’s business address and phone number
Organization’s incorporation or business identification number and the place of issuance, if applicable.
The general nature of the type of business or businesses of activity or activities engaged in by the organization (not required if the organization is a financial institution, government body or a company that is not a private company).
Name, position and contact information of all individuals authorized to provide instructions on behalf of the organization.
Copy or photograph of the document where the seal lands.

ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATIONS: MUST BE VALID AND NON EXPIRED

Passport - Canadian or Foreign bearing the full legal name
Driver's Licence
Canadian Citizenship Card
Permanent Resident Card
Indian Status Card
Ontario Photo Card
Canadian Federal Firearms Licence
Nexus Card
Canadian National Institute for the Blind Identification Card CNIB
Canadian Armed Forces/ Military Identification Card
Foreign National Identification Card issued by a Government Agency
Articles of Incorporation

At least two (2) of the following as secondary identifications if you do not have any of the above listed identifications:

Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Social Security Card
Provincial Health Card Card exp. OHIP
Birth Certificate - short or long form
Marriage Certificate - Canadian or Foreign
Old Age Security Card
Credit Card or Telephone Bill/Gas Bill etc. bearing your full name exactly as the other secondary identification.
Professional Licence Board and Membership Cards (Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Engineer, Law Enforcement, Paramedics).
School Transcripts and Current Student Card
Temporary Resident Permit and Record of Landing
Liquor Control Board Age of Majority BYID Card

IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTACT GUIDELINES OR TO PROVIDE my office with the above mentioned information. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT MY OFFICE FOR NOTARIAL SERVICES.

For your protection, I am Vinh T. Tran, you can verify my name, pictures, and credentials. I am a sole practitioner, lawyer, notary public and commissioner of oaths. I do not employ anyone who can access your private information. I also do not work for any persons or companies who can dictate the use of your private information. I have given lectures to lawyers and companies on various subjects including creating public trust and how to protect private information from external contractors and agencies, and especially from internal employees. I am NOT associated with, affiliated with, or related to, any other law firm, organization, corporation, association or notaries public directory services.

PLEASE NOTE: I DO NOT USE RED SEAL NOTARY STAMPS. MY PREFERRED CHOICE IS THE GOLD SEAL FOIL STAMP. THE GOLD NOTARY STAMP IS THE MOST USED AND ACCEPTABLE GOLDEN STANDARD FOR COURTS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, LAW OFFICES AND SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD.

GUARANTEED ERROR-FREE COVERAGE

APPOINTMENT REQUIRED.
No walk-ins accepted.

Please use TEXT and Email for Inquiries and Appointments. DO NOT CALL. Telephone calls are reserved for emergencies, current and previous clients, domestic and international government agencies and authorities, court staff and opposing counsels/parties. APPOINTMENTS AND INQUIRIES MUST BE VIA TEXT 647-209-7389 OR EMAIL vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com. I do not take kindly to questions about fees via telephone. If you need clarifications about fees please do so via Text or Email.

It is important that my phone line is available so that I can communicate with the receiving agencies who may wish to verify my status and your notarized documents. You will appreciate this request when you become one of my clients.

If you cannot get through to me via texting, it is because I am within the subway system, in court, or in a meeting. Please text again if you do not hear a reply within 10 minutes.

If you did not receive a reply from me via email immediately, it is because your email address has been caught by one of my email filters. Your email address might include numbers and or suspicious letters or you did not properly input the correct subject matter. Please email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com again within 2 to 3 hours.

FAQ's about NOTARIZATION FEES and Services
1. Q: Why are your fees so low and cheap? Is there a catch? Do you just make an imprint of the seal or does the fee include a GOLD foil seal sticker?
Ans: Many of my clients cannot justify paying high fees for a simple certification statement, signature, date and notary seal on a document that must be sent to some agency. I agree with my clients. In order to reduce my fees, I reduce my overheads by offering mobile and house call notary services. There is no catch. Yes, the fee includes a GOLD foil seal sticker without extra cost. See the complete service as listed below.

Click here for Reasons Why You Might Wish to Book an Appointment through my Office.
Click here for Reasons Why You Might NOT Wish to Book an Appointment through my Office.
Why I charge less for notarization:
"The minimum wage in Ontario presently is $11 per hour and it goes further down when you factor in tax and other dues etc.; you should be screaming mad at any person who dares to charge you five or six hours of your work time for a simple signature and seal that takes less than 5 minutes of his or her time. You should not be throwing your money away blindly to a nameless and faceless person for a simple seal"

2.    Q: Why are you so strict on communication with your office only through texting and email?
       Ans: I am a sole practitioner. I work alone. I am a PRACTISING lawyer. Notarization is a small part of my practice. For legal services, I charge by the hourly rate of $240. If you insist on speaking with me personally through the phone I will insist on charging you $4 per minute and always rounding to a 10-minute interval. You will be expected to provide your credit card information before we engage in a telephone conversation. In the alternative, and totally free of charge you may text 647-209-7389 or email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com for any legal issues or inquiries or to set up an appointment to meet with me. I often have a very busy schedule helping clients. It is rude and unprofessional to be constantly picking up phone calls while providing services to clients. You would not want a lawyer who gets distracted answering phone calls while helping you with your case. Also, I aim to not wasting your time and my time by disclosing everything about my fees and services as well as all the answers to all the questions you could ever think about notarization, authentication, legalization and apostille procedures on my website. Any other questions you may have or a request for an appointment can be done through the more efficient means by texting 647-209-7389 or email vinhtranlaw@hotmail.com. If you refuse to follow this very simple request, then you may be better served by another lawyer and notary public elsewhere.

3.   Q: Why do you give out FREE sample Templates when other lawyers and online legal forms companies charge a fee for them?
      Ans: I did not go through over 10 years of post graduate education to be a data entry person and wasting my time asking you personal questions as listed on the forms/templates when you can fill out the information by yourself. The best legal forms are those written in plain and easy to understand language. There is no point paying anyone a fee for a simple template, form or letter when you can Google for one or to ask me for a copy and just input your personal information into it yourself. I feel it is completely unethical and a waste of skills to be filling out forms for clients and charging them a lawyer's rates when the clients can do a better job entering their personal information for themselves.

4.   Q: I still think that your fees are too high, do you bargain or is there any way I can reduce the fees further?
      Ans: I do not entertain bargaining. An attempt to bargain or to negotiate fees is considered extremely rude and insulting considering the exceptional services that I provide for the already discounted notary fees that I charge. If you believe that my fees are too high, please continue to search for another lawyer/notary public elsewhere. If you bargain with me, the fee will be at regular fee ($40). No Exceptions. You can reduce the notarization fees by:

Setting up an appointment with my office at the above noted places, dates and times for discounted fee notarization.
Combining your documents onto one page or double side copy so that when my seal lands on the page it will go through both sides, hence saving me a seal and you additional fees.

5. Q: Do you use Red Ink Stamp Notary Seal, Red Notary Seal Sticker, Gold Foil Sticker Notary Seal, or just an Embossed Imprint of the Notary Seal?
      Ans: The preferred and frequently used and universally recognized method of sealing documents is by way of using a Gold Foil Sticker Notary Seal embossed with the imprint of the notary public's name, credential and jurisdiction. Click the following link for more information about the practical reasons to using a Gold Foil Sticker Notary Seal.

6.    Q: Do I have to be present for notarization? Can I send someone on my behalf to meet with the lawyer, notary public and commissioner of oaths?
       Ans: As a general rule, if you must sign something before an officer of the courts, to be sworn under oaths, to have your identity verified, then you must be present with valid photo IDs and be prepared to be sworn and your documents commissioned under oaths. However, if all you require is to have your documents notarized as certified true copies then you may have a representative bring such documents to my office on your behalf. Your representative will be required to show his/her valid photo ID's to the lawyer, notary public and commissioner of oaths/affidavits as required by the Law Society of Upper Canada's bylaw.

7.    Q: Why do you have different set fees at different dates and times?
     Ans: Work-life balance is important to me. I am offering more dates and times for discounted notary services than any other lawyers and notaries public in the GTA. If you are requesting services outside the prescribed locations, dates and times then my fees will be higher to further accommodate your schedule.

8. Q: University Transcript Notarization: My transcript has three pages, do you count it as one document or three documents?
Ans: It is one document. I will seal the first page and imprint the rest with my embossed notary seal. Likewise, if you have an Agreement that has 30 pages but only one seal is required then it is considered as one seal and one signature.

9. Q: Passport Notarization: Do you count per page for my passport or just one notarization for the whole passport?
Ans: It depends. In most cases, you will only need to get the first page of the passport with your photo and demographic information notarized. In instances for immigration or visa applications or opening a bank account overseas, where you may be required to get certification of the whole passport especially on the pages with stamps, then it is still one gold foil seal on the first page and the imprint of my embossed notary seal on the rest of the other pages of the passport FREE OF CHARGE. Unless, you insist on a gold seal on those extra pages then the additional fee as listed will apply. However, the imprint of my embossed notary seal without the gold foil sticker is more than sufficient to satisfy the requirement of certification, and it is FREE of charge.

10.   Q: I have 1 document that requires two of your signatures and two seals, but it's on the same page, do you consider that as one or two seals?
   Ans: My fees are based on the number of seals and signatures that you require from me, not the number of pages. If your document requires two signatures and two seals then the fees will reflect that accordingly.

11.   Q: My boyfriend and I would like to have our passports notarized, do you count it as one or two transactions/matters?
       Ans: It depends:

Separate matters - exp. if both of you are applying for separate programs or applications.
Same matter - exp. if both of you are purchasing or selling a property held jointly or both declaring for a common-law union document.

12. Q: How long does the notarization and/or commissioning process take?
Ans: Usually around 5 minutes, depending on the number of documents you are requesting notarization. There is no next day or next week service. I will sign and seal your document(s) on the spot. The following are the steps that you can expect as a full service when we meet:

Client is able to verify the lawyer, Vinh T. Tran's credential and be familiar with his pictures and contact information;
Exchanging ID's - lawyer and client exchanging ID's and business card/ contact information before service begins;
Verifying client's identity via examination of the photo ID's and supported documents pursuant to the LSUC's bylaw;
Notarization, Swearing Oaths/ Declarations;
Certification by a lawyer's signature;
Confirmation label sticker under every signature containing my name, legal credentials, LSUC#, and contact information. This provides the schools and agencies the necessary information to easily verify my legal authority to notarize and commission your document;
Official Embossed Notary Public Golden Seal Stamped on the document - it's not just for decorative purposes; it's my identity, legal authority, and the integrity to provide my clients with the best looking official document possible for submission to schools and agencies; presentation is equally important as credentials. You will not get anything less than high quality professional looking notarized document with an official golden seal and not just an imprint of my seal.
Final quality inspection and approval for completion; and
Tax deductible receipt provided upon completion.

13. Q: Is there a difference in the service you provide for a discounted fee option and a regular fee option?
       Ans: The above list of steps will be followed regardless of the fee option. The consistency in my practice allows regulatory bodies and agencies to easily confirm my seal and legal authority. The fee differential is a result of the client requesting my services outside the normal working hours.

14.   Q: Do you provide coupon codes and discounts or match prices option if I give you a positive review on Google, Facebook and other listing websites?
    Ans: No. I do not condone or engage in practices of buying reviews or making up fake reviews and testimonial comments on listing directories or on my own websites. Personally, I never trust any reviews and testimonials on any website. Most of them are a bunch of fake and self-serving comments without one single partially negative comment. There is no need for me to compete with anonymous self-proclaimed lawyers and notaries public who refuse to disclose their names, credentials, contact information and fees. My fees are exactly as disclosed on my website. There are no surprises. However, you are encouraged to print the advertised fees on my website to receive any price matching option that other lawyers and notaries may provide for you.

15. Q: Do you actually travel to different locations in the GTA?
      Ans: Yes, I can and have travelled around the GTA and beyond providing both legal and notarization services for financial institutions, law firms, universities, large corporations and private individuals. I have travelled all over Ontario including but not limited to the following places Ajax, Ancaster, Aurora, Barrie, Belleville, Bolton, Bracebridge, Brandford, Brampton, Brockville, Burlington, Caledon, Cobourg, Collingwood, Cooksville, Durham, East York, Etobicoke, Gravenhurst, Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Guelph, Halton, Hamilton, Hanover, Havelock, Huntsville, Kingston, King City, Kitchener, London, Manotick, Markham, Meaford, Milton, Mississauga, Newmarket, Nepean, Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, Newcastle, North York, Oakville, Orangeville, Orillia, Orleans, Oshawa, Peterborough, Peel Region, Pickering, Scarborough, Thornhill, Downtown Toronto, Upper Canada, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Unionville, Weston, Willowdale, Whitby, Woodbridge, and locally at Yorkdale Shopping Mall, Eaton Centre, Bay Atrium, Yonge-Bloor Yorkville, College Park, Kensington Market, Chinatown, Koreatown, High Park, Little Italy, Greektown, Cabbagetown, College Park, also including most of the nursing homes and hospitals where many of my clients are doctors, nurses and patients. As long as the clients are willing to accept the notarization and travel fees listed above then I am happy to make a visit to see them at the comfort of their homes or place of business.

16.   Q. Are you the only person in Ontario, Canada, who can provide legal services including notarization and commissioning of documents?
       Ans: No, there are many places you can find on the internet (Google, Yahoo, Bing, Kijiji, Craigslist, and Backpage etc) that you can attend to get your documents notarized and commissioned. Depending on the type of documents, especially those dealing with city and local matters, some city councilors may be able to commission your documents for FREE. However, getting an appointment with a city councilor can take a long time. It is important to note that many places will say that they are Canada's National Notary Public Services, or Toronto's #1 Notary Public or Toronto's Best Notary Public, or Canada's Leading Notary Public Company, or Toronto's Cheapest Notary Public or Lowest Priced Notary Public in Toronto or Toronto's hand-picked notaries public etc. Do not be impressed by these words. There is no such thing as the best or #1 notary public, all registered and appointed notaries have the same legal authority. In fact, it is actually contrary to the Law Society of Upper Canada's Rules of Professional Conduct to be describing oneself as the best or the best of the best of any legal services that one provides to the public. Further, fees are certainly important but so are the credentials. Remember that credibility begins with a FACE and a NAME. Heed my warning that ALL reputable registered and insured/bonded lawyers, notaries public, and commissioners of oaths in Ontario NEVER REFUSE to disclose their full names, faces, credentials, locations, and fees. Think about it, why would a person who claims to be a lawyer, notary public, and a commissioner of oaths refusing to disclose his or her true identity, something as simple as a name? Why would websites say that they have staff who are qualified lawyers and notaries public but they refuse to list the names of these individuals? Clients are entitled to full disclosure by their counsels or persons who claim to have the legal authority to provide legal services. You MUST question any and all persons who claim to have the legal authority to provide legal services to you yet would not disclose these simple and vital information to you and the general public. Many of your documents contain very important and private information. You must make sure that they do not get into the wrong hands. Can you truly trust a nameless and faceless self-proclaimed legal professional by inviting him or her into the privacy of your home and place of business? You MUST ensure that the person claiming to be a lawyer is in fact a registered legal professional who by law can invoke solicitor-client-privilege to protect your rights and privacy. A registered and practising lawyer is obligated by law and ethical rules to do just that, to protect your rights and privacy even if he or she is just notarizing or commissioning a document for you. Most non-practising lawyers who act as notaries and commissioners of oaths would not know what to do to invoke such rights on your behalf. More importantly, it is best practice to consider getting your documents notarized by a lawyer who is bonded/insured and practising for transaction security such as adoption, immigration, and real estate and business transactions.

Find a Notary Public in TorontoInquiries and Appointments

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Inquiries and Appointments