[Study in Canada] Complete Guide to Custodianship & Notarization: From Paper Custodian Services to Remote Online Notary
Preparing for minor students to study in Canada can be an exciting journey, but navigating the required legal paperwork often feels overwhelming. One of the most essential and strictly regulated requirements is the Custodianship Declaration.
“Does my child really need a custodian in Canada?”
“Where and how do we get these documents notarized?”
“What is the difference between a full custodial guardian and a paper custodian?”
At Schools ON AIR, we provide clear guidance and streamlined legal document solutions. Here is everything you need to know about Canadian custodianship, along with our fast, reliable, and cost-effective services.
1. Why Custodianship Is Mandatory for Minor Students in Canada
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provincial school boards, minor international students studying in Canada without an accompanying parent must have an appointed Canadian legal custodian.
Mandatory for Study Permit Applications: Required by IRCC to issue a student visa.
Mandatory for School Registration: Required by public school boards and private day schools prior to enrollment.
This legal requirement consists of two separate parts that work together as a single legal package:
Document | Purpose | Execution & Notarization |
Part 1: Parents Declaration (Custodianship Declaration - Parents/Guardians) | Confirms that parents in the student's home country officially appoint a designated Canadian custodian to look after their child. | Must be signed by the parents in their home country and notarized by an authorized notary/commissioner. |
Part 2: Custodian Declaration (Custodian for Minors Studying in Canada) | Confirms that a Canadian citizen or permanent resident undertakes full legal custodianship for the student. | Must be signed by the custodian and notarized locally in Canada. |
Key Takeaway: Both documents must be accurately completed, signed, and notarized to be officially accepted by immigration authorities and school institutions.
2. Full Active Guardianship vs. Paper Custodianship: Which Do You Need?
Depending on your child's living arrangements and support system in Canada, the type of custodianship required will vary:
1) Full Active Custodial Guardian
Role: Regular school visits, parent-teacher conferences, emergency medical accompaniment, academic oversight, and routine homestay check-ins.
Typical Cost: Usually ranges between $1,000 to $1,200 CAD per month (or higher for intensive concierge guardianship programs).
2) Paper Custodian (Administrative Legal Custodian)
Role: Fulfills the legal and administrative requirements for school admission and Study Permit applications.
Recommended For:
Students already living with trusted relatives, family friends, or experienced homestay providers who handle day-to-day care.
Boarding school students whose daily welfare and campus life are supervised by the institution.
Families looking for a reliable, compliant, and cost-efficient legal document solution without recurring monthly agency fees.
For many students, having local family, friends, or established homestay arrangements makes a Paper Custodian package the most sensible and practical choice.
3. Schools ON AIR Custodianship & Notarization Services
We offer tailored options to ensure your paperwork is processed smoothly and without delays:
① Paper Custodian Full Package — $600 CAD
An all-in-one package from document preparation to Canadian notarization.
What’s Included:
Complete preparation of required custodianship declarations.
Sourcing and appointment of a verified local Canadian custodian.
Local Canadian notarization fees for Part 2 included.
(Note: We draft the Part 1 form for the parents in their home country; the notarization of Part 1 is handled by the parents locally or via our remote service).
② Local Canadian Document Notarization — $45 CAD
If you already have a custodian and completed paperwork, bring or send your documents to us for quick, official notarization in Canada.
③ Remote Online Video Call Notarization for Parents — $55 CAD
No need for parents in the home country to make cumbersome visits to local offices.
Parents can complete their identity verification and document notarization remotely via a secure video call directly with an authorized commissioner/notary in Canada.
4. Additional Options & Document Delivery
Full Document Drafting Assistance: +$30 CAD
Need professional help filling out both Part 1 and Part 2 accurately? Our experienced team will draft both documents to ensure zero discrepancies or processing delays.
Instant Digital Copy: Free
As soon as notarization is complete, a high-resolution PDF scan is sent directly to your email so you can submit your visa and school applications immediately.
Original Physical Documents Delivery:
In-Person Pick-Up: Available at our Thornhill office.
Mail Delivery within Ontario: $10 CAD flat rate.
Fast, Compliant, and Stress-Free Support
Even minor typos or mismatched dates can lead to delays in study permit approval or school enrollment. With extensive experience handling international student admissions and immigration paperwork, Schools ON AIR ensures your documentation is completed quickly, securely, and with total precision.
Get your custodianship paperwork sorted today!
Address: 55 Commerce Valley Dr W #812, Thornhill, ON, L3T 7V9, Canada
Email: info@schoolsonair.org
WhatsApp: +1 (647) 762-9939
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