Share article
Share article
Summary: In Ontario, most real estate closing documents can be signed remotely by video in the days before closing. You sign an Acknowledgement and Direction that lets your lawyer register the transfer or mortgage electronically through Teraview, so you rarely sign a paper deed yourself.
Whether you are buying, selling, or refinancing, there is a short meeting near the end of the deal where you sign the closing documents with your lawyer. For most people in Ontario this now happens over video rather than at a lawyer's office, and knowing what you are actually signing makes the day go smoothly.
What is a signing meeting?
A signing meeting is the appointment where your real estate lawyer reviews and witnesses your closing documents with you. In Ontario it usually happens a few days to a week before the closing date, once the lawyer has the paperwork and the lender's instructions ready.
During the meeting your lawyer walks through each document, confirms your identity, watches you sign, and commissions any sworn statements. It is also the point where you can ask questions before anything is final. You will not sign the actual registered transfer of title yourself, because in Ontario that step is handled electronically by your lawyer.
Can you sign your closing documents remotely in Ontario?
Yes. Ontario recognizes electronic signatures on closing paperwork under the Electronic Commerce Act, 2000, and since 2020 lawyers have been able to commission affidavits by video. Most closing documents can now be signed over a video call using an e-signature platform, the same way a virtual real estate closing works.
Remote signing is not mandatory, and a few lenders still ask for wet-ink signatures on specific forms. Here is how the two options compare.
Remote (video) signing | In-person signing | |
Where | From home, over a video call | At the lawyer's office |
How you sign | E-signature platform, witnessed live on video | Pen on paper |
Identity check | Government photo ID shown on camera (and often sent ahead) | Original ID in person |
Best when | You are busy, out of town, or travelling | A lender or document requires wet ink |
What documents will you sign?
The exact set depends on whether you are buying, selling, or refinancing, but the centrepiece in Ontario is the Acknowledgement and Direction. It authorizes your lawyer to complete and register the electronic transfer or mortgage on your behalf.
Acknowledgement and Direction. Lets your lawyer sign and register the electronic transfer or charge in Teraview, the provincial land registration system.
Statutory declarations. Sworn statements, for example about residency or the state of the property, commissioned by your lawyer.
Direction regarding funds. Sets out where the money goes on closing.
Undertakings and acknowledgements. Confirm obligations such as discharging an existing mortgage.
Mortgage documents. If you are borrowing, the lender's forms and the charge terms.
You generally do not sign a paper deed. In Ontario, the transfer of title is registered electronically, and your lawyer's registration is the act that moves ownership.
How does the remote signing meeting work, step by step?
A remote signing runs like a structured video call. Your lawyer confirms who you are, reviews every document, watches you sign, and then handles the electronic registration on closing day.
You book the meeting. Usually a few days to a week before closing, once the documents are ready.
You verify your identity. Show a government-issued photo ID on camera; your lawyer may also ask for a copy in advance.
Your lawyer reviews each document. They explain what it does and answer questions before you sign anything.
You sign electronically. Using an e-signature platform, with your lawyer witnessing live over video.
Affidavits are commissioned by video. Under Ontario's remote commissioning rules, your lawyer can swear declarations over the same call.
Your lawyer registers on closing day. Using the Acknowledgement and Direction, they sign and register the transfer or charge electronically through Teraview.
What do you need to prepare for signing day?
Very little, but a few things make the meeting faster and calmer. The goal is an uninterrupted video call where you can read every document clearly.
Valid government photo ID. A driver's licence or passport, with a second piece ready in case it is asked for.
A device with a working camera and microphone. A laptop is easier than a phone for reviewing documents.
A stable internet connection. The meeting has to stay connected from start to finish.
Your questions. This is the moment to raise anything you do not understand, before you sign.
If you will be abroad on signing day, tell your lawyer early. Remote signing often still works, but time zones, identity verification, and some lender requirements can need extra planning.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to go to a lawyer's office to sign in Ontario?
No. Most Ontario closings can be signed remotely by video. You can still choose to sign in person, and occasionally a lender requires wet-ink signatures on specific forms.
Do I sign the actual deed to the property?
Not on paper. In Ontario the transfer of title is registered electronically through Teraview. You sign an Acknowledgement and Direction that authorizes your lawyer to register it for you.
When does the signing meeting happen?
Usually a few days to about a week before your closing date, once your lawyer has prepared the documents and received the lender's instructions.
Is electronic signing legally valid in Ontario?
Yes. Electronic signatures are recognized under the Electronic Commerce Act, 2000, and since 2020 lawyers have been able to commission affidavits remotely by video under provincial regulations.
What if I am out of the country when I need to sign?
Remote signing often still works, because the meeting is by video. Tell your lawyer early, since time zones, ID verification, and some lender requirements can need extra planning.
How long does the signing meeting take?
Most run under an hour, depending on whether you are buying, selling, or refinancing and how many documents are involved.
About the author
Joel Fox is a co-founder and COO at Ownright. He helps run the firm's day-to-day work on Ontario residential closings, refinances, and sales, and writes regularly to demystify the parts of a transaction that most homeowners only encounter once or twice in their lives.
At Ownright, we focus entirely on Ontario residential real estate law. We help homeowners with purchase closings, refinancing, and sales, with remote video signing handled through our digital platform and backed by licensed Ontario lawyers. You can start your closing online or get in touch with any questions.
Legal references: Electronic Commerce Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 17; Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.17, and O. Reg. 431/20 (Administering Oath or Declaration Remotely); Land Registration Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.4 (electronic registration through Teraview).
Important note: This article is not legal advice. No one should act, or refrain from acting, based solely on the information in this post or any linked materials without first seeking appropriate legal or professional advice.
