Virtual Real Estate Closing · Ontario
Can an Ontario Real Estate Closing Be Done Virtually?
How remote signings, online document exchange and virtual legal appointments work
Can I complete my Ontario real estate closing without going to a law office? Many Ontario real estate transactions can be handled largely or entirely through a virtual process, including online intake, secure document exchange, remote meetings and remote signing where legally and practically appropriate. Whether every step can be completed remotely depends on the transaction, lender requirements, document type and any identification or commissioning requirements.
The Virtual Process
How Does a Virtual Ontario Real Estate Closing Work?
Most Ontario land registrations are completed electronically by lawyers through the provincial electronic land-registration system. The steps below outline a typical virtual file, though not every underlying document is itself electronically executed.
- 1Client sends the Agreement of Purchase and Sale or mortgage information.
- 2Client completes the online questionnaire.
- 3Client uploads identification and transaction documents securely.
- 4The law firm reviews the transaction.
- 5Closing documents are prepared.
- 6A remote meeting and signing appointment is arranged where appropriate.
- 7The lawyer completes the electronic registration and closing process.
- 8Final reporting is delivered after closing.
By Transaction Type
Which Transactions Can Be Handled Virtually?
Many purchases, sales, refinances and title transfers can be managed remotely, subject to lender and document requirements.
Can I Complete an Ontario Home Purchase Virtually?
Many purchase files can be handled remotely, including the steps below. Lender requirements can affect the process.
- Intake and online questionnaire
- Document uploads
- Lawyer-client meetings
- Mortgage document review
- Signing appointments where permitted
- Delivery of closing instructions
- Final reporting
Can I Sell an Ontario Property Virtually?
Many sale transactions can be handled remotely through online intake, document exchange, review of closing documents, remote appointments and electronic completion of the closing. Original documents or additional steps may occasionally be required depending on the file.
Can a Mortgage Refinance Be Completed Virtually?
Refinance files can often be handled remotely, but lender instructions control many requirements, including lender identity-verification requirements, mortgage documentation, payout statements, title insurance, execution requirements and lender-specific signing instructions. Remote completion is not promised where lender instructions require otherwise.
Can a Title Transfer Be Done Virtually?
Many title-transfer matters can be managed through remote intake and meetings, but the lawyer must confirm the parties’ identities, transfer instructions, consideration, Land Transfer Tax treatment, mortgage or lender requirements, and execution requirements.
Remote Commissioning
Can Affidavits and Declarations Be Commissioned Remotely in Ontario?
Ontario permits certain oaths and declarations to be administered remotely where the requirements of O. Reg. 431/20 (in force March 1, 2026) are met.
Under section 9(2) of the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act and O. Reg. 431/20, an oath or declaration may be taken without the deponent being in the physical presence of the commissioner if the following conditions are met:
- An electronic method that allows participants to see, hear and communicate with one another in real time throughout the entire transaction.
- Confirmation of the deponent or declarant’s identity.
- A modified jurat or declaration noting that it was administered remotely and stating the locations of the parties.
- In the case of a commissioner to whom section 5 of the Act applies, the stamp information appears on or in the document.
- Reasonable precautions, including ensuring the person understands what they are signing.
- A record of the transaction is kept by the person administering the oath or declaration.
Important: Remote commissioning does not mean every receiving institution is required to accept every remotely commissioned document.
See the official Ontario regulation: O. Reg. 431/20 — Administering Oath or Declaration Remotely and the Law Society of Ontario remote-commissioning guidance.
Remote Commissioning vs. Notarization
Commissioning and notarization are not the same thing. Ontario’s official guidance distinguishes between the two, and remote notarization may be subject to different rules. Do not assume that a document eligible for remote commissioning can also be remotely notarized under the same conditions.
Identity & Signing
Identity Verification and Electronic Signatures
Lawyers must take reasonable steps to verify identity and comply with professional and lender requirements. Electronic signatures are common, but not every document can or should be signed electronically.
How Is Identity Verified in a Virtual Closing?
Lawyers must take reasonable steps to verify identity and comply with applicable professional obligations and lender requirements. Possible methods may include:
- Government-issued identification
- Secure identity-verification technology
- Video meeting
- Lender-prescribed verification procedures
No single method is universally sufficient; the approach depends on the file and lender.
Are Electronic Signatures Valid for Real Estate Closings?
Electronic signatures are commonly used for many documents, but whether a particular document can or should be signed electronically depends on:
- The document itself
- Applicable legislation
- Lender instructions
- Land-registration requirements
- The lawyer’s professional obligations
Not every real-estate document can be electronically signed.
Location
Do I Need to Be Physically in Ontario to Close?
Clients may sometimes complete parts of an Ontario transaction while elsewhere in Canada or abroad, but additional requirements may apply.
Being outside Ontario does not automatically prevent you from working with an Ontario real estate lawyer, but it can introduce extra steps, such as:
- Additional verification requirements
- Witnessing or notarization requirements
- Lender requirements
- Tax requirements
- Execution requirements
An overseas closing cannot always be completed entirely remotely. The firm will advise what applies to your situation.
Why Go Virtual
Why Use a Virtual Real Estate Lawyer?
A virtual closing is designed for convenience without sacrificing the legal review your transaction requires.
- No unnecessary travel
- Convenient document submission
- Remote appointments
- Flexible scheduling
- Transparent pricing
- Ontario-wide service
- Centralized online intake
- Easy access to the closing calculator
When In-Person May Be Needed
When Might an In-Person Step Still Be Required?
A virtual closing is not always possible for every step. The firm will advise you if an in-person step is required.
- Lender-specific requirements
- Original-document requirements
- Notarization
- Unusual identity-verification concerns
- Execution problems
- Institutional acceptance requirements
- Foreign-signing complications
- Fraud-prevention concerns
Virtual Real Estate Lawyer Across Ontario
Virtual Real Estate Lawyer Across Ontario
The firm serves clients virtually across Ontario. The links below provide city-specific context; the firm does not maintain physical offices in every listed city.
Transparent Fees & Tools
Transparent Ontario Real Estate Legal Fees
Current standard legal fees, plus HST and applicable disbursements unless otherwise stated. See the fees page for the $1,399 All-In Purchase Closing Special and full details.
Standard Legal Fees
| Purchase | $790 |
| Sale | $590 |
| Refinance | $790 |
| Title Transfer | $390 |
Plus HST and applicable disbursements unless otherwise stated.
See full pricingBuying a Home? Estimate Your Closing Funds
The Purchase Closing Calculator estimates:
- Purchase-price balance
- Mortgage proceeds
- Deposits
- Ontario Land Transfer Tax
- Toronto MLTT where applicable
- First-time buyer rebates
- Title insurance entered by you
- Estimated funds required
Virtual Closing FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers about virtual real estate closings in Ontario.
Prepared by Jaramillo Law Professional Corporation
Serving Ontario real estate clients since 2017.
This page is general information about virtual real estate closings in Ontario and is not legal advice for your specific transaction. Whether a step can be completed remotely depends on the transaction, lender and document requirements. To confirm what applies to your file, , see our Real Estate Lawyer Fees Ontario page, or try the Purchase Closing Calculator.
Ready when you are
Ready to Make Your Ontario Closing Simpler?
Tell us what type of transaction you are completing and our team will contact you to discuss the next steps.
Submitting a form or calling the firm does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Representation is subject to a conflict check and the firm’s acceptance of your matter.