16 September 2025

What are notary fees?

Notary fees, also known as acquisition costs, are the expenses associated with the services provided by a notary when purchasing a house or acquiring real estate. These purchase-related fees generally represent about 0.5% to 1.5% of the property’s purchase price. The notary plays a crucial role in a real estate transaction, ensuring that all legal aspects of the sale are respected in accordance with the civil code. This includes verifying title, preparing and registering legal documents, and handling funds between the buyer and the seller.

Importance of the notary to ensure a legal and secure transaction

The notary ensures that the real estate transaction is carried out in compliance with local and provincial laws, thus ensuring the legal protection of both the buyer and the seller. They protect the interests of both parties by:

• Verifying the legitimacy of the property titles: Ensuring that the seller is indeed the legal owner of the property and that there are no disputes, mortgages, or charges on the property that could affect the acquisition.
• Preparing the necessary legal documents: Including the deed of sale, statements, and certificates required to finalize the sale, in accordance with the applicable civil code.
• Registering the transaction with the competent authorities: Ensuring that the buyer is registered as the new official owner, which is crucial for future succession or drafting a will.
• Managing the transaction funds: Ensuring that payment is made correctly, that the mortgage funds are duly received, and that funds are disbursed according to the agreement.

In addition, the notary can act as a legal advisor, providing information on the steps to follow to acquire real estate and on the fees related to the transaction. They can also establish a mandate in case of incapacity or provide advice on estate planning.

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What items are included in notary fees and purchase costs?

Notary’s fees

The notary’s fees cover the rates for notarial services provided when acquiring a property. These fees make up a significant part of acquisition costs and generally range from 0.5% to 1.5% of the home’s purchase price. The fees include the preparation and registration of documents, as well as title verification. It is important to note that these fees are essential costs to secure your real estate investment.

Administrative fees

Administrative fees include the costs related to the preparation and registration of the legal documents necessary for the real estate transaction. These fees may include printing costs, photocopying fees, and registration fees with local authorities. These costs are essential to ensure the validity and legality of a real estate purchase, in accordance with the civil code in force.

Taxes

When purchasing a property, you must pay taxes such as the GST/QST and other applicable taxes. These costs are added to the notary fees and form part of the acquisition costs. They vary depending on the value of the property and the province in which it is located. Buyers must therefore plan for these costs in their overall budget, taking into account their financial capacity and the amount of their mortgage loan. Good financial planning ensures the protection of your long-term investment.

GST rates have been the same since 2008, i.e., 5%.

QST rates have been the same since 2013, i.e., 9.975%. However, the “final rate” has remained the same since 2012 because the QST calculation method changed on January 1, 2013.

Search and inspection fees

Search and inspection fees include legal checks and necessary inspections to ensure that the property is free of disputes or structural issues. These steps are essential in the process of acquiring real estate. Inspection fees may cover costs related to assessing the condition of the building, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as environmental checks. Hiring professionals for these services ensures that the purchase is made safely. In addition, the notary can establish a mandate to carry out certain checks on your behalf, thus providing additional protection.

In short, notary fees for purchasing a house include a variety of costs, ranging from the notary’s fees to administrative fees, taxes, and search and inspection fees. All these items make up the acquisition costs or the costs related to the purchase of real estate. It is important for buyers to understand these costs and factor them into their overall budget to avoid any surprises when finalizing the purchase. A good understanding of the process steps ensures better protection of your investment.

How are notary fees and acquisition costs calculated?

Percentage of the purchase price

Notary fees for purchasing a house are generally calculated as a percentage of the property’s purchase price. On average, these fees range from 0.5% to 1.5% of the sale price. This percentage covers notarial services, including the preparation and registration of documents, as well as title verification. It is essential to consider these costs when planning the financing of your mortgage loan in order to avoid surprises at closing.

Fixed and variable costs

Notary fees include fixed and variable costs. Fixed costs are standard fees for services such as document preparation and administrative fees. Variable costs, on the other hand, depend on the property’s purchase price and may include inspection and search fees. Understanding these steps and related costs will help you better budget your purchase and ensure the protection of your investment. For example, registration fees and taxes may vary depending on the value of the property and provincial regulations.

Examples of calculating notary fees

Here are a few concrete scenarios to illustrate the costs:

1. Property costing $300,000
   • Percentage for notary fees: 0.5% to 1.5%
   • Calculation of notary fees: $300,000 × 0.5% = $1,500 to $300,000 × 1.5% = $4,500
   • Fixed costs: $500
   • Approximate total: $2,000 to $5,000
2. Property costing $500,000
   • Percentage for notary fees: 0.5% to 1.5%
   • Calculation of notary fees: $500,000 × 0.5% = $2,500 to $500,000 × 1.5% = $7,500
   • Fixed costs: $500
   • Approximate total: $3,000 to $8,000

Variation of notary fees by province

Notary fees in Quebec

In Quebec, notary fees for purchasing a house generally range from 0.5% to 1.5% of the purchase price. Fees include the notary’s fees for preparing and registering documents, administrative fees, taxes (GST/QST), and search and inspection fees to verify title. Notaries in Quebec play a crucial role in securing real estate transactions.

Notary fees in Ontario

In Ontario, notary fees can range from 0.5% to 2% of the purchase price. In addition to the notary’s fees, administrative fees, and search fees, buyers must also pay a land transfer tax, which can increase the total cost of the transaction. Notary fees in Ontario also cover the preparation and registration of documents, as well as the legal checks necessary to ensure the validity of the transaction.

Notary fees in other provinces

In other Canadian provinces, notary fees generally range from 0.5% to 1.5% of the purchase price. As in Quebec and Ontario, these fees include the notary’s fees, administrative fees, taxes, and search and inspection fees. Each province may have specific regulations that influence costs, but the items included in notary fees are generally similar.

FAQ

What are the notary fees for a $300,000 house?

For a $300,000 house, notary fees generally range from 0.5% to 1.5% of the purchase price. This means notary fees would be between $1,500 and $4,500. These fees include the notary’s fees, administrative fees, taxes (GST/QST), and search and inspection fees.

Are notary fees negotiable?

Yes, notary fees can be negotiable. It is always advisable to compare rates from different notaries and discuss fees to see if there is room for negotiation. Some notaries may offer discounts, especially if the transaction is relatively simple.

What other costs should I plan for when purchasing a property?

In addition to notary fees, you should plan for other costs when purchasing a property, such as:

• Land transfer tax: Varies by province and municipality.
• Home inspection: Inspection fees to verify the condition of the property.
• Moving costs: Cost to move your belongings to the new property.
• Home insurance: Insurance to protect your new property.
• Brokerage fees: If you use a real estate broker.

Are notary fees the same for a condo and a house?

Notary fees for a condo and a house are generally similar as a percentage of the purchase price. However, fees may vary depending on the complexity of the transaction and the specific services required. For example, a condo may require additional checks related to condominium by-laws, which could slightly increase the fees.

Conclusion

In conclusion, notary fees for the purchase of a house in Canada generally range from 0.5% to 1.5% of the purchase price. These fees include the notary’s fees, administrative fees, taxes, and search and inspection fees. They are an important part of acquisition costs and costs related to the purchase of real estate. It is important to understand these costs to properly plan your budget and the steps in the process of acquiring a new home.

Understanding notary fees is essential to avoid financial surprises when purchasing a property. In-depth knowledge of these fees allows you to better prepare your budget, plan your mortgage loan, and negotiate effectively with your notary. This also ensures the protection of your investment and facilitates future succession or drafting a will. Do not hesitate to consult a professional to obtain personalized service tailored to your needs.