Reuniting with an extended family member in Canada requires careful attention to immigration paperwork. For foreign nationals seeking entry through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under extended family provisions, the IMM 0006 form—formally known as the Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration for an Extended Family Member—is often mandatory.
One of the most critical steps in completing this document is having the declaration formally sworn or affirmed before an authorized official. Historically, this meant finding an office, printing paper forms, and booking an in-person meeting. Today, thanks to Ontario’s modern legal framework, you can complete the commissioning process entirely from home or office.
If you need to commission an affidavit online or have your IMM 0006 declaration executed quickly, this guide explains everything you need to know about remote commissioning under Ontario law.
Understanding the IMM 0006 Statutory Declaration
The IMM 0006 form consists of two core components:
- The formal application details identifying the foreign national, their relationship to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and the purpose of their travel.
- Part 2 of the form: A Solemn Statutory Declaration made by the Canadian citizen or permanent resident, certifying under penalty of law that the declared familial relationship is genuine and accurate.
Because Part 2 is a statutory declaration, it carries substantial legal weight. In Ontario, making a false declaration has serious consequences under the Criminal Code of Canada and provincial statutes. To ensure the authenticity and seriousness of the declaration, IRCC requires the document to be administered and signed by an authorized commissioner for taking affidavits or notary public.
Can You Commission an IMM 0006 Online in Ontario?
Yes. In Ontario, remote commissioning is fully authorized under Ontario Regulation 431/20 (Administering Oath or Declaration Remotely), enacted pursuant to the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act.
Under this regulation, an authorized commissioner can administer an oath or solemn declaration through real-time audio-visual technology without requiring physical, in-person presence. When completing this process online, the commissioner verifies your identity, confirms you understand the contents of the IMM 0006, witnesses your electronic signature, and applies their official digital signature, jurat, and stamp.
Important Legal Distinction: Commissioning vs. Full Notarization
When individuals search for an "online notary" or "online notarization" in Ontario, they are typically seeking to have a sworn statement legally administered. It is important to understand the legal mechanics in Ontario:
- Ontario law explicitly regulates remote commissioning of affidavits and statutory declarations under O. Reg. 431/20.
- Our remote services are provided by a certified commissioner for taking affidavits operating strictly within the statutory framework of remote commissioning.
- We do not perform traditional, in-person notarial acts (such as authenticating physical wet-ink certified true copies) remotely; rather, we legally commission your statutory declaration using secure digital workflows.
Step-by-Step: How to Commission Your IMM 0006 Online
Commissioning your IMM 0006 form online is simple, safe, and typically takes less than 15 minutes. Here is the process from start to finish.
1. Complete Part 1 of the Form (Do Not Sign Part 2 Yet)
Download the official IMM 0006 PDF directly from the IRCC website. Fill out all relevant personal details, including your contact information, the foreign relative's details, and the nature of your relationship.
Crucial rule: Do not sign or date Part 2 prior to your video call. A statutory declaration must be signed in the simultaneous presence of the commissioner.
2. Prepare Valid Government Identification
To comply with provincial law and Law Society of Ontario best practices, you must verify your identity during the video conference. Ensure you have at least one valid, unexpired piece of government-issued photo identification ready, such as:
- A Canadian or foreign passport
- An Ontario Driver’s Licence or Ontario Photo Card
- A Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) card
3. Book Your Virtual Commissioning Session
Schedule an online appointment at a time that works for you. You will receive a secure video meeting link and an invitation to upload your draft IMM 0006 PDF.
4. Attend the Audio-Visual Appointment
During the secure video meeting:
- You and the commissioner will be connected via real-time two-way video and audio.
- You will hold your physical photo ID up to the camera so the commissioner can verify your identity.
- The commissioner will administer the solemn declaration, asking you to affirm that the statements in your IMM 0006 application are true and correct.
- You will sign the declaration electronically using an integrated digital signature tool while the commissioner watches in real time.
5. Receive Your Commissioned IMM 0006 Immediately
Once you have electronically signed, the commissioner immediately completes the modified jurat required by O. Reg. 431/20—which states that the declaration was taken remotely—and attaches their official digital seal and signature. You receive the completed, tamper-evident PDF immediately after the call, ready for upload to IRCC’s web portal.
Mandatory Legal Requirements for Remote Commissioning
For a remotely commissioned IMM 0006 declaration to be legally valid in Ontario, specific criteria must be met under O. Reg. 431/20:
- Real-Time Communication: The session must use electronic communication allowing simultaneous visual and audio interaction throughout the entire transaction.
- Identity Verification: The commissioner must be fully satisfied with the identity of the declarant before proceeding.
- Modified Jurat: The jurat (the legal clause at the bottom of the declaration) must explicitly reflect that the oath or declaration was administered remotely in compliance with O. Reg. 431/20, stating both the commissioner's and the declarant's physical locations during the call.
- Commissioner Credentials: The commissioner's formal information and legal title must appear prominently on the final document.
By following these rigorous standards, online commissioning provides the exact same legal validity as sitting across a desk in a traditional office.
Benefits of Commissioning Online
Choosing an online commissioning service for your IMM 0006 statutory declaration offers significant advantages:
- Speed: Rather than taking time off work, driving across town, or waiting days for an in-person legal appointment, you can complete the entire commissioning appointment in minutes.
- Accessibility from Anywhere: As long as you have an internet connection and a camera, you can connect from home, the office, or even while traveling outside Ontario.
- Digital Workflow: IRCC applications are submitted electronically. Having a natively digital, commissioned PDF eliminates the need to print, sign with a pen, and scan a degraded document back to your computer.
- Secure and Compliant: Top-tier encryption safeguards your sensitive personal and familial details throughout the transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IRCC accept an IMM 0006 commissioned online?
Yes. IRCC accepts statutory declarations and affidavits that have been administered remotely, provided the commissioning complies with the governing laws of the jurisdiction where it occurred. In Ontario, remote commissioning is formally recognized under O. Reg. 431/20, and the document includes the required statutory jurat confirming remote execution.
Can my overseas relative join the video appointment?
Part 2 of the IMM 0006 is the declaration made by the Canadian citizen or permanent resident inviting or declaring the relationship. Therefore, the commissioner must meet with the person making the declaration. If both parties are co-declaring or signing related documents, multi-party sessions can be arranged, provided identity verification rules are satisfied for all signatories.
What happens if I accidentally signed the document before the call?
Do not worry. If you already signed Part 2, simply re-download a fresh copy of the form or generate a new blank signature page. The commissioner must see you sign the document live during the session. If you sign beforehand, you will be asked to sign a clean version during the call.
What technology do I need to attend an online commissioning session?
You do not need to install complex software. All you need is a smartphone, tablet, or computer equipped with a functional web camera, microphone, and a stable internet connection.
Complete Your IMM 0006 Statutory Declaration Today
Do not let paperwork delays stand in the way of bringing your loved ones together. With The Online Notary, you can have your IMM 0006 statutory declaration commissioned online by an experienced Ontario commissioner for taking affidavits in just minutes. Book your online appointment today to complete your immigration forms quickly, securely, and fully in compliance with Ontario law.
