Swear the sworn statement for an Ontario vehicle transfer or family gift (Form 1157E) online by video. How it works, what to bring, flat $24.95 per stamp.
Last updated: September 23, 2026
Vehicle Transfer & Gift Affidavits Online in Ontario — Sworn by Video
Quick answer: You can swear the sworn statement ServiceOntario asks for on a used-vehicle transfer or family gift — including the Sworn Statement for a Family Gift of a Used Vehicle (Form 1157E) — online before an Ontario notary public by secure video. You show valid government photo ID, swear the statement on camera, and sign while the notary watches. It costs a flat $24.95 per stamp plus HST. Because vehicle registration is provincial, this applies to Ontario vehicle transfers; confirm the current ServiceOntario submission requirement before you book.
When a used-vehicle transfer in Ontario claims a retail-sales-tax exemption — a family gift, an estate or a separation settlement — ServiceOntario asks for a sworn statement; the most common is the family-gift form that lets an eligible transfer skip the tax. Swearing that statement used to mean a trip to a notary or commissioner. For Ontario transfers, the swearing can now be done online over video, so you can finish the paperwork before your registration appointment.
This guide explains which vehicle statements can be sworn online, how the family-gift form works, what to have ready, and where the notary's role ends. If your form is filled in, you can book online or call (613) 434-5555. For the bigger picture of what an online notary can and cannot do across Canada, 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 | Vehicle registration and forms are provincial. |
| Form | Family gift (1157E), transfer, or lost ownership | Each ServiceOntario form has its own sworn statement. |
| Who swears | Donor, recipient, or both | Each person who swears joins on camera with ID. |
| Where you are | Same call, same time — different cities is fine | Donor in Ottawa, recipient in Kingston, one appointment. |
| Eligibility | ServiceOntario's family-gift rules | The notary commissions; ServiceOntario sets eligibility. |
| Signature | Unsigned until the appointment | You swear and sign in front of the notary. |
| After the call | Print it and take the paper to ServiceOntario | The registration happens at the counter, never online. |
| Price | Flat $24.95 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 in Ontario administers the oath and commissions the sworn statement on your vehicle form. A notary does not decide whether your relationship qualifies for a tax-exempt gift, calculate tax, or complete the ServiceOntario transfer for you. Eligibility and submission rules are set by ServiceOntario and the Ministry of Finance.
The notary's job is to make the sworn statement official. Whether your family relationship qualifies for the tax exemption, and how to complete the registration, is set by ServiceOntario — check their current rules before booking.
Minute Notary commissions vehicle transfer sworn statements as an Ontario notary public, including online by video.
Which Vehicle Statements Can Be Sworn Online
- Sworn Statement for a Family Gift of a Used Vehicle (Form 1157E) — for a tax-exempt gift between eligible family members.
- Sworn Statement for the Transfer of a Used Vehicle — for estate or matrimonial transfers and similar situations.
- RIN (Registrant Identification Number) letters for corporate vehicles.
- Affidavits for lost or stolen vehicle ownership.
These are all sworn statements an Ontario notary can commission. The vehicle must be an Ontario registration, since the forms and rules are provincial.
How the Family Gift Form (1157E) Works
The Sworn Statement for a Family Gift of a Used Vehicle lets you gift a used vehicle to an eligible family member without paying retail sales tax on the transfer. Both the donor and the recipient sections must be completed, and the statement is sworn before a notary public or commissioner.
For a box-by-box walkthrough of the form, read the family gift guide, or build the statement in our fillable Form 1157E template. Not a gift? Estate, separation, settler's-effects and corporate transfers use Form 1155E instead — see the Form 1155E guide and its fillable template.
- Donor and recipient both complete their parts of the form.
- The eligible relationship (set by ServiceOntario) must qualify.
- The statement is sworn before the notary, who commissions it.
- You then take the sworn form to ServiceOntario with the other transfer documents.
Who counts as an eligible family member? ServiceOntario sets the list, and only certain close relationships qualify for the tax exemption:
| Eligible (tax-exempt gift) | Not eligible (RST applies) |
|---|---|
| Spouse (including common-law) | Cousin |
| Parent or step-parent | Aunt or uncle |
| Child or step-child | Niece or nephew |
| Grandparent or grandchild | Friend or unrelated party |
| Sibling | — |
| In-laws (e.g. parent-in-law, son/daughter-in-law) | — |
| Adopted relatives in the above categories | — |
Two more conditions to know before you book:
- The transfer must be a genuine gift with no money changing hands.
- The same vehicle can generally only be gifted tax-exempt once in a 12-month period, and the form asks you to confirm it was not previously transferred tax-exempt within that window.
The notary commissions the sworn statement; ServiceOntario decides eligibility and processes the transfer. If your relationship is not on the eligible list, the transfer can still proceed — it just is not tax-exempt.
How to Swear a Vehicle Statement Online — Step by Step
- Complete the form, unsigned. Fill in the donor and recipient parts but leave the swearing/signature for the appointment.
- Book the service and a time. Choose vehicle transfer when you book online. Slots run on Ottawa time (America/Toronto).
- Join the video call. If both donor and recipient must swear, each joins the same call on camera — from separate homes or cities if you like, but at the same time. One jurat covers both signatures, so it is one appointment, not two.
- Verify identity. Each person who swears holds up valid government photo ID.
- Swear and sign. Each person swears the statement is true and signs while the notary watches.
- The notary commissions it. The notary completes the jurat and applies their seal.
- Pay and receive the form. The flat $24.95 per stamp plus HST and any small fee are shown first; nothing is confirmed until payment succeeds. Then submit it to ServiceOntario.
Available Online Across Ontario
Because the swearing is by video, you can join from anywhere in Ontario, while the vehicle itself stays an Ontario registration. Clients book from across the province:
| Region | Major Ontario cities clients book from |
|---|---|
| Eastern Ontario | Ottawa, Kingston, Cornwall, Belleville, Brockville, Pembroke |
| Greater Toronto Area | Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Oshawa, Pickering |
| Central Ontario | Barrie, Peterborough, Orillia, Bradford, Newmarket |
| Southwestern Ontario | Hamilton, London, Kitchener–Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Windsor, Brantford, St. Catharines |
| Northern Ontario | Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Timmins |
Note: vehicle registration and these sworn-statement forms are Ontario matters. The video appointment lets you swear the statement from any Ontario city without travelling to an office — but if your vehicle is registered in another province, that province's registry and forms apply, so confirm the rules where the vehicle is registered. We confirm your form is a fit on the call before any fee applies, and nothing is charged until it is.
Vehicle Transfer Scenarios Across Ontario
- A parent in Ottawa gifts a used car to their child in Kingston; both swear Form 1157E on the same video call, tax-exempt.
- A couple in Mississauga transfers a vehicle between spouses after a change in circumstances.
- An executor in London swears a statement for an estate vehicle transfer.
- An owner in Sudbury swears an affidavit for a lost vehicle ownership document.
The notary commissions the sworn statement; ServiceOntario decides eligibility and processes the transfer.
Online or In Person — How to Decide
| Your situation | Best channel | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Form completed, valid ID, Ontario vehicle | Online by video | No travel; sworn under O. Reg. 431/20. |
| Donor and recipient in different Ontario cities | Online by video | Both join the same call, at the same time, to swear. |
| Vehicle registered in another province | Use that province | Its registry and forms apply, not Ontario's. |
| No working camera or quiet space | In person | The notary must see and hear each person clearly. |
How Identity Verification Works on the Call
Swearing the statement online uses the same identity check as in person, on camera, for each person who swears. The notary will:
- Ask each person to hold their government photo ID to the camera so name, photo, and signature are visible.
- Confirm the name on the ID matches the donor or recipient named on the form.
- Check each ID is valid and unexpired — expired ID is generally not accepted in Ontario.
- Confirm each person understands they are swearing the statement is true.
If a person's primary ID is missing a detail, have a second piece of government ID ready.
What to Bring to Your Online Appointment
| Item | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| The completed form, unsigned | You swear and sign in front of the notary. |
| Valid government photo ID (each person swearing) | Required on camera. |
| Both donor and recipient (if both must swear) | Each swears their own part. |
| A device with camera and microphone | The appointment is a live video session. |
| A neutral interpreter, if English is not comfortable | The notary has to confirm each person understands what they are swearing. |
| A payment method | The flat fee plus HST is taken before release. |
Booking note: If donor and recipient are in different cities, both can join the same video call — pick a time you are both free, because one jurat means one shared appointment. Mention the second signer when you book so the slot is the right length. Call (613) 434-5555 if you are unsure which form you need.
Two things worth settling before the call, because neither is something the notary can fix afterwards. Check the vehicle for a lien — a registered lien stays attached to the vehicle whether or not the transfer was a gift, and the new owner takes it subject to what the lender is still owed. The Used Vehicle Information Package carries that lien information, and a family transfer sits on Ontario's list of situations where a UVIP is not required, which is exactly why nobody thinks to order one. And watch the six-day clock: Ontario expects the new owner to register within six days of the transfer, counted from the day the vehicle actually changed hands, so swear the statement when you are ready to go to ServiceOntario, not weeks ahead.
On the interpreter: if English is not comfortable for someone who has to swear, arrange a neutral one and say so when you book. It cannot be the other person on the form — anyone with a stake in the document is the wrong person to be explaining it.
When to Get Other Help Instead
- You are unsure whether your relationship qualifies for a tax-exempt gift — confirm with ServiceOntario.
- The transfer involves an estate with complications — a lawyer may be needed.
- There is a dispute over ownership of the vehicle.
A notary commissions the sworn statement; ServiceOntario sets eligibility and a lawyer handles disputes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing before the appointment. Swear and sign in front of the notary.
- An incomplete form. Complete the donor and recipient sections before the call.
- Assuming eligibility. Confirm the family relationship qualifies with ServiceOntario.
- Only one party present when both must swear. Each person who swears must be on camera with ID.
- Expired ID. Valid government photo ID is required on camera.
- Forgetting the rest of the transfer package. The sworn statement is only one piece — you still need the vehicle permit, UVIP where required, and proof of insurance at ServiceOntario.
Why Swear the Vehicle Statement Online
Transferring or gifting a used vehicle already means a trip to ServiceOntario — the online appointment at least removes a second trip just to get the sworn statement commissioned. You complete the form, join a short video call, and submit the sealed statement with your other transfer documents. It is especially convenient when the donor and recipient live in different Ontario cities, because both can swear on the same call without anyone driving.
The trade-offs are straightforward: each person who swears needs a working camera, a quiet space, and valid government photo ID, the form must be completed and unsigned, and the vehicle must be registered in Ontario. If your vehicle is registered in another province, that province's registry and forms apply instead.
Other Documents in an Ontario Vehicle Transfer
The sworn statement is one piece of the transfer. Depending on the situation, you may also need:
- A completed Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) where required.
- The vehicle permit (ownership) with the transfer portion completed.
- A bill of sale recording the purchase — our free Ontario vehicle bill of sale template captures the buyer, seller, price, and VIN that ServiceOntario registration expects.
- Proof of insurance and a valid driver's licence to register the vehicle.
- A safety standards certificate where the transfer requires one.
The notary's part is the sworn statement only — commissioning it so ServiceOntario will accept it. Print the commissioned statement and take the paper copy with you; the registration itself is done at the counter, never online. ServiceOntario sets what else the transfer requires and processes the registration. If you are unsure which documents apply to your situation, check the ServiceOntario vehicle pages before your appointment.
Pricing and Booking
| Service | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle transfer / gift sworn statement | $24.95 per stamp | Flat rate plus HST, online or in person |
| Each additional stamp / seal | $24.95 | Same flat rate, no bulk tiers |
Note: pricing is per seal. The first signer is included; each additional signer on the same document is charged an additional-signer fee of $24.95.
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
Can I swear a vehicle transfer affidavit online in Ontario?
Yes. The sworn statements ServiceOntario asks for on a used-vehicle transfer or family gift — including the Sworn Statement for a Family Gift of a Used Vehicle (Form 1157E) — can be sworn before an Ontario notary public over a secure video appointment. You show valid government photo ID, swear the statement on camera, and sign while the notary watches. Confirm the current ServiceOntario submission requirement before you book.
What is the Sworn Statement for a Family Gift of a Used Vehicle (Form 1157E)?
Form 1157E is the sworn statement ServiceOntario requires when a used vehicle is given as a gift between eligible family members, allowing the transfer to be exempt from retail sales tax. Both the donor and recipient sections must be completed, and the statement is sworn before a notary public or commissioner. A notary commissions the sworn statement; eligibility rules are set by ServiceOntario.
Who can give a vehicle as a tax-exempt family gift in Ontario?
ServiceOntario sets the eligible family relationships for a tax-exempt vehicle gift — typically close relatives such as spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, and siblings, with conditions. A notary public commissions the sworn statement but does not decide eligibility. Check the current ServiceOntario rules before you book to confirm your relationship qualifies.
What do I need to swear the statement online?
A device with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, valid government photo ID, and the completed but unsigned sworn statement. If both the donor and recipient must swear, each joins on camera with their own ID. You sign in front of the notary, so do not sign beforehand.
How much does it cost to swear a vehicle transfer statement online?
Minute Notary charges a flat $24.95 per stamp plus HST, the same online or in person, with no tiers. Online appointments add HST plus a small card processing fee, shown before you pay, and nothing is confirmed until payment succeeds. If more than one person is signing, an additional signer fee also applies.
Can the donor and recipient be in different cities?
Yes. If both the donor and recipient must swear the statement, they can join the same secure video appointment from different Ontario cities — a parent in Ottawa and a child in Kingston, for example. Each presents their own valid government photo ID and swears their part while the notary watches. Different places, yes; different times, no. One jurat covers both of you, so you are on the same call at the same time — one appointment, not two.
What if my relationship is not on the eligible family list?
You can still transfer the vehicle; it simply will not be tax-exempt, and retail sales tax will apply at registration. Cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews are not eligible for the family-gift exemption. If you are unsure whether your relationship qualifies, confirm with ServiceOntario before booking — the notary commissions the statement but does not decide eligibility.
How long does the online vehicle statement appointment take?
Most vehicle-statement appointments average 3-4 minutes once the form is complete and IDs are ready. Having the donor and recipient sections filled in, the form unsigned, and both people ready on camera keeps the appointment short. Mention if both parties are swearing when you book so the slot is the right length.
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 form and ID only with the notary.
Do I still need to go to ServiceOntario after the online appointment?
Yes. The notary commissions the sworn statement online, but the vehicle transfer itself is completed at ServiceOntario, where you submit the sworn statement along with the vehicle permit, the Used Vehicle Information Package where required, proof of insurance, and any other documents the transfer needs. The online appointment simply gets the sworn statement done without a separate trip.
Can I gift a vehicle to my spouse online?
Yes. A spouse — including a common-law spouse — is on ServiceOntario's eligible family list, so the gift can be tax-exempt, and the sworn statement can be commissioned online. Both spouses complete and swear their parts of the form on the call with valid photo ID. Confirm any current ServiceOntario conditions before you book, since eligibility rules are set by ServiceOntario, not the notary.
Final Recommendation
If you are transferring or gifting a used vehicle registered in Ontario, complete the ServiceOntario form, confirm your family relationship qualifies for the gift exemption, and swear the statement online before a notary — then take the commissioned form to ServiceOntario. The notary makes the sworn statement official; eligibility and processing are ServiceOntario's. If both donor and recipient must swear, both can join the same video call.
Book Your Appointment
Need to swear a vehicle transfer or family-gift statement online in Ontario? Minute Notary commissions ServiceOntario sworn statements by secure video — flat $24.95 per stamp plus HST.
- Book online: Request an appointment
- Call: (613) 434-5555
- Service page: Vehicle Transfer Documents
- Related guide: Form 1155E: the used vehicle transfer statement
- Related guide: Gifting a used vehicle to family in Ontario
- Hours: Every day, Saturday and Sunday included, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Ottawa time)
Sources
Related notary services
Need help with this in Ottawa?
Online & Virtual Notary
Online notary in Ontario: eligible affidavits and statutory declarations commissioned over a secure video appointment under O. Reg. 431/20.
Vehicle Transfer Documents
Sworn statements for ServiceOntario vehicle gifts (1157E), transfers (1155E), and lost ownership.
Affidavits
Sworn written statements used in court proceedings, immigration applications, and other legal matters.
About the author
Kai Mai
Content Editor, Minute Notary
Kai Mai writes and edits the Minute Notary guides, working from the published federal and Ontario guidance each article links, and from what Ottawa clients actually run into with certified copies, affidavits, statutory declarations, travel consent letters, and immigration paperwork. These guides are general information written by our editorial team — not legal advice, and not a professional opinion on your document. The receiving authority always has the final say.