Lost or Stolen Vehicle Ownership Affidavit: Notarize Online in Ontario
Lost your Ontario vehicle permit (ownership)? Swear a lost or stolen vehicle ownership affidavit online by video. How it works, what to bring, flat $19.90.
Last updated: June 23, 2026
Lost or Stolen Vehicle Ownership Affidavit: Notarize Online in Ontario
Quick answer: If your Ontario vehicle permit (the "ownership") was lost, stolen, or destroyed, ServiceOntario may ask for a sworn affidavit confirming this before issuing a replacement or completing a transfer. You can swear that affidavit before an Ontario notary public online by secure video — show valid photo ID, swear the statement, and sign while the notary watches. It costs a flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST, and applies to vehicles registered in Ontario. Confirm ServiceOntario's current requirement before booking, as a routine replacement may not always need one.
Losing a vehicle permit is stressful, especially if you are mid-sale or mid-transfer. When ServiceOntario needs a sworn statement that the ownership document is gone, a notary can commission it quickly — and for Ontario vehicles, you can swear it online over video instead of driving to an office.
This short guide explains when the affidavit is needed, what it usually says, how to swear it online, and what to bring. If your affidavit is ready, you can book online or call (613) 434-5555. For the wider picture, see our guide to online and virtual notary services.
Key Takeaways
| Decision point | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Province | The vehicle is registered in Ontario | These forms are Ontario matters. |
| When it's needed | ServiceOntario asks for a sworn statement | Not every replacement requires one — confirm first. |
| Contents | Owner, vehicle details, what happened | The statement must match ServiceOntario's requirement. |
| Identification | Valid government photo ID | Required on camera. |
| Price | Flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST | Same online or in person. |
What a Notary Can and Cannot Do
What a notary can and cannot do: A notary public administers the oath, witnesses your signature, and commissions the affidavit. A notary does not decide whether ServiceOntario requires the affidavit, draft its legal content, or issue the replacement permit. Those are set by ServiceOntario.
Minute Notary commissions affidavits as an Ontario notary public, including by video under O. Reg. 431/20, made under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act.
When You Might Need This Affidavit
ServiceOntario issues replacement vehicle permits, and in some situations — for example a transfer where the original ownership cannot be produced, or where the document was stolen — may require a sworn statement confirming the facts. Before booking, check the current ServiceOntario process for a replacement permit, because a straightforward replacement is sometimes done without a sworn affidavit. If a sworn statement is required, that is where a notary comes in.
How to Swear the Affidavit Online — Step by Step
- Prepare the affidavit, unsigned. Include your details as registered owner, the vehicle details (VIN, plate), and the facts about how the ownership was lost, stolen, or destroyed.
- Book the service and a time. Choose vehicle transfer when you book online. Slots run on Ottawa time (America/Toronto).
- Join the video call and verify identity. Hold up valid government photo ID.
- Swear and sign. Swear the statement is true and sign while the notary watches.
- The notary commissions it. The notary completes the jurat and applies their seal.
- Submit to ServiceOntario. Take the commissioned affidavit to ServiceOntario with the rest of your paperwork.
What to Bring to Your Online Appointment
| Item | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| The affidavit, unsigned | You swear and sign in front of the notary. |
| Valid government photo ID | Required on camera. |
| Vehicle details (VIN, plate) | To confirm the affidavit matches the vehicle. |
| A payment method | The flat fee plus HST is taken before release. |
Booking note: If you are unsure whether ServiceOntario needs a sworn statement, confirm with them first. Call (613) 434-5555 if you have questions about the appointment.
Available Online Across Ontario
Because the swearing is by video, you can join from anywhere in Ontario — Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Hamilton, London, Kitchener–Waterloo, Windsor, Kingston, Sudbury, and beyond — while the vehicle stays registered in Ontario. If the vehicle is registered in another province, that province's registry applies instead.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing before the appointment. Swear and sign in front of the notary.
- Missing vehicle details. Have the VIN and plate ready so the affidavit is complete.
- Assuming you need an affidavit. Confirm with ServiceOntario — a routine replacement may not require one.
- Expired ID. Valid government photo ID is required on camera.
Online or In Person — How to Decide
| Your situation | Best channel | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You are the registered owner, valid ID, Ontario vehicle | Online by video | Fastest; sworn under O. Reg. 431/20. |
| ServiceOntario confirmed it needs a sworn statement | Online by video | The notary commissions it for your replacement. |
| Vehicle registered in another province | Use that province | Its registry and rules apply, not Ontario's. |
| No working camera or quiet space | In person | The notary must see and hear you clearly. |
Why Swear the Affidavit Online
Replacing a lost permit is already an errand; the online appointment at least removes the trip to find a notary. You complete the affidavit, join a short video call, swear it, and take the commissioned statement to ServiceOntario with the rest of your paperwork. Same-day slots are often available if you are mid-sale or mid-transfer and need it quickly. The trade-offs are the usual ones: you need a working camera, a quiet space, and valid photo ID, the vehicle must be Ontario-registered, and the affidavit must be complete with the correct vehicle details.
A Quick Scenario
A Hamilton owner is selling a used car and realizes the green ownership permit is nowhere to be found. ServiceOntario asks for a sworn statement that the permit was lost before issuing a replacement. The owner fills in the affidavit with the VIN and plate, joins a fifteen-minute video appointment, holds up a driver's licence, swears the statement is true, and signs while the notary watches. The notary commissions it, and the owner brings it to ServiceOntario to get the replacement and complete the sale.
What to Confirm With ServiceOntario First
Because requirements change and depend on the situation, confirm a few things with ServiceOntario before you book, so the appointment is not wasted:
- Whether a sworn statement is actually required for your replacement, or whether a simple replacement permit is enough.
- What the statement must say — the facts and vehicle details to include.
- Whether any other documents (identification, proof of ownership) must accompany it.
Once you know the statement is required and what it must contain, the notary step is quick.
Pricing and Booking
| Service | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lost / stolen ownership affidavit | $19.90 per stamp | Flat rate plus HST, online or in person |
| Each additional stamp / seal | $19.90 | Same flat rate, no bulk tiers |
Online appointments add HST plus a small card processing fee, shown in full before you pay. To book, choose vehicle transfer when you book online, or call (613) 434-5555.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an affidavit if I lost my Ontario vehicle permit?
Depending on the situation, ServiceOntario may ask for a sworn statement or affidavit confirming the vehicle permit (ownership) was lost, stolen, or destroyed before issuing a replacement. A notary public can commission that affidavit. Check ServiceOntario's current requirement for a replacement permit before booking, since a simple replacement may not always require a sworn statement.
Can I swear a lost or stolen vehicle ownership affidavit online?
Yes. You can swear the affidavit before an Ontario notary public over a secure video appointment under O. Reg. 431/20 — show valid government photo ID, swear the statement on camera, and sign while the notary watches. The vehicle must be registered in Ontario. Confirm the current ServiceOntario requirement before you book.
What should the affidavit say?
Generally that you are the registered owner, the vehicle details (such as the VIN and plate), and that the ownership document was lost, stolen, or destroyed and has not been transferred to anyone else. ServiceOntario sets what it needs; the notary commissions the statement but does not draft its legal content.
What do I need for the online appointment?
A device with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, valid government photo ID, and the affidavit itself, unsigned. Have your vehicle details (VIN, plate) ready. You sign in front of the notary, so do not sign beforehand.
How much does it cost?
Minute Notary charges a flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST, the same online or in person. Online appointments add HST plus a small card processing fee, shown before you pay, and nothing is confirmed until payment succeeds.
How long does the appointment take?
About ten to fifteen minutes once the affidavit is complete and your ID is ready. Having your vehicle details (VIN and plate) and the facts of what happened written into the affidavit beforehand keeps it quick.
What if my vehicle permit was stolen, not just lost?
The affidavit can state that the ownership document was stolen rather than misplaced, which can matter if the theft is connected to other concerns. Stick to the facts you know to be true. If the vehicle itself was stolen, that is a police and insurance matter separate from the permit replacement.
Is the online appointment secure and private?
The appointment runs over a secure video connection, and the notary keeps a record of the act as required. Join from a private, quiet space and share the affidavit and ID only with the notary.
Final Recommendation
If your Ontario vehicle permit was lost, stolen, or destroyed, first confirm with ServiceOntario whether a sworn statement is required and what it must say. If it is, complete the affidavit with your vehicle details, then swear it online in a short video appointment and bring the commissioned statement to ServiceOntario for your replacement. The notary makes the statement official; ServiceOntario issues the permit.
Book Your Appointment
Need to notarize a lost or stolen vehicle ownership affidavit in Ontario? Minute Notary commissions the affidavit by secure video — flat $19.90 per stamp plus HST.
- Book online: Request an appointment
- Call: (613) 434-5555
- Service page: Vehicle Transfer Documents
- Related guide: Vehicle transfer & gift affidavits online
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Ottawa time)
Sources
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