Have you acquired a pre-owned vehicle in Ontario but find yourself without a bill of sale or proof of ownership, or perhaps you’ve misplaced it? If this scenario resonates with you, procuring an affidavit of ownership may be necessary to register your used vehicle with Service Ontario. This article provides guidance on obtaining an affidavit of ownership for your pre-owned vehicle in the absence of a bill of sale or other documentation.

What exactly is an affidavit of ownership? An affidavit of ownership constitutes a sworn declaration outlining details such as the date and source of your vehicle purchase, as well as the reasons behind the unavailability of a bill of sale or proof of ownership. These affidavits pertaining to vehicle ownership necessitate endorsement by a notary public or commissioner for taking affidavits.

Key components to include in the affidavit are:

• Your personal details, including name and address
• Vehicle specifications, including type and VIN number
• Seller’s particulars
• Date of purchase
• Purchase price
• Explanation for the absence of a bill of sale:
  • If not provided by the seller, elucidate the efforts made to obtain it and the reasons for not succeeding
  • If lost or damaged, detail the circumstances leading to its loss or destruction

How can you determine if an affidavit of ownership is required? In Ontario, registration of a used vehicle with Service Ontario must occur within six days of purchase. The registration process mandates the presentation of various documents at a Service Ontario center, including proof of insurance, your Ontario Driver’s Licence, a used vehicle information package (UVIP), bill of sale, Safety Standards Certificate (SSC), if applicable, owner’s permit with the completed Application for Transfer portion on the back, and odometer reading information. In the absence of a bill of sale, a notarized affidavit of ownership, elucidating the vehicle purchase details and the reasons for lacking a bill of sale, suffices.

What if you lack the seller’s information? Not having access to the seller’s particulars poses no obstacle. You can obtain a comprehensive Used Vehicle Information Package from Service Ontario, which contains information on all previous owners. This package can be conveniently ordered online from the Service Ontario website for a nominal fee.

How can you obtain an affidavit of vehicle ownership? We offer a user-friendly and complimentary affidavit of ownership template for your convenience, which you can personalize as needed. Following customization, you can schedule an appointment to have your affidavit notarized by one of our qualified notaries.

Can affidavits of ownership undergo remote notarization? Absolutely! Notarizing vehicle ownership affidavits virtually is feasible. Notarize.ca simplifies the online notarization of your ownership affidavit, ensuring a seamless process. Simply create a secure Notarize.ca account, schedule your appointment, meet your notary professional via video conference, electronically sign your document, and download the notarized version.