What to bring to the notary.
Bring two pieces of ID, your certified funds or wire confirmation, and proof of home insurance that starts on possession day. Those three are what actually reschedule a signing when they go missing.
Updated July 10, 2026
The notary signing is the last appointment before you get the keys. It is not complicated, but it is not the moment to discover a document is missing. I walk my clients right up to this point, so here is exactly what I ask them to have ready.
In Quebec, the notary drafts the deed of sale and the mortgage deed, checks the title, and handles the money. Your job that day comes down to showing up with the right things and reading before you sign.
What do you actually sign at the notary?
Two documents, most of the time. The deed of sale, which officially transfers the property to you, and the mortgage deed, which formalizes the loan with your lender. The notary reads them with you, answers your questions, then everyone signs.
The notary is neutral. They do not work for you or for the seller. Their job is to protect the legality of the transaction. If something in the title does not line up, they stop it before the signing, not after.
What do I need to bring to the signing?
- Two valid pieces of IDOne with a photo (driver's licence or passport), plus a second (health insurance card, for example).
- Your certified fundsBank draft or wire confirmation for the down payment and closing costs. The notary gives you the exact figure before the appointment.
- Proof of home insuranceEffective on possession day. Your lender requires it before releasing the money.
- A void chequeFor automatic mortgage withdrawals, if your lender asks for one.
- Your banking and lender detailsThe file number for your mortgage.
How does the money get to the notary?
Your down payment and closing costs go through the notary, never straight to the seller. You hand over a bank draft or wire the funds to their trust account. The lender sends the mortgage amount to the notary on signing day or the day before.
Arrange the draft a day or two early. A bank does not always issue it on the spot, and a wire can take a few hours to land. Nobody signs until the funds are confirmed.
Why do you need home insurance before you even have the keys?
Because the moment you sign, the property is yours, risks and all. Your lender wants proof the home they financed is covered. Set the policy to take effect the morning of possession, and bring the certificate to the appointment.
And if I am selling? What does the seller bring?
- Two valid pieces of ID
- Every set of keys, remotes and codesGarage, alarm system, mailbox, storage locks.
- Your mortgage payout detailsThe notary pays off your current loan out of the sale proceeds.
- Relevant invoices and warrantiesRoof, heat pump, windows: whatever the buyer asked for in the offer.
How long does the appointment take?
Usually thirty minutes to an hour. Take your time reading. If a clause does not make sense, ask the notary to put it in plain words. That is exactly their role. Nobody is rushing you, and a signing is never a race.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my own notary?
Yes. The buyer usually chooses the notary, since the buyer typically covers the fee. If you do not have one, I can recommend a notary I have worked with for years.
Do I pay the welcome tax at the signing?
No. The welcome tax (transfer duties) arrives by mail a few weeks to a few months after the purchase, sent by your municipality. You pay it then, not at the notary.
What happens if a document is missing on the day?
The signing gets postponed until the document is in hand. That is why we prepare the checklist ahead of time. A pushed appointment can move your possession date and sometimes your moving day with it.
Sources
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This guide is general information to help you make sense of things, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and every situation is different, so confirm anything that affects a decision with the right professional, a notary, lawyer, accountant, or mortgage broker, or reach out and I'll point you the right way.
