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Affidavits
A sworn affidavit declaring that a share certificate has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, used to formally request a replacement from the issuing corporation's transfer agent or registrar in Ontario.
Also known as
AFFIDAVIT OF LOST STOCK CERTIFICATE
IN THE MATTER OF the issuance of replacement share certificate(s) of ______ (the "Company").
I, ______, of the City of ______, in the Province/State of ______, DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE THAT:
I am the owner of a total of ______ shares of the Common Stock of ______, Inc., a ______ corporation (the “Company”).
I have examined my records and, after diligent search, I am unable to find the certificate or certificates representing such shares (the “Certificates”) and I believe that the Certificates were lost.
I did not transfer, sell, encumbered, or pledged any of the shares represented by the Certificates.
I release the ______ and any successor from any and all liability relating to the loss of the Certificates, or the issuance of new Certificates.
I agree to defend and indemnify and hold harmless the ______ and any successor from any damage or loss caused by the loss of the Certificates.
In the event of discovery of the original Certificates, the undersigned agrees to return them promptly to the Company or any successor, marked “CANCELLED.”
Additional information
Company Province: ______
Company Address: ______
Stockholder Address: ______
How it works
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Book an appointment, bring your document, and we witness your signature and apply the seal.
An Affidavit of Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificate is a sworn statement declaring that a share certificate in your name has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, that you have made reasonable efforts to locate it, and that you have not sold, pledged, or otherwise transferred the shares it represented. Corporations and their transfer agents require this document before they will cancel the missing certificate on their register and issue a replacement.
Under the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA), section 54, a corporation may issue a replacement share certificate when the registered holder provides sufficient proof of loss. Federally incorporated companies fall under section 48 of the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA), which contains a parallel provision.
You will need this affidavit in any situation where a share certificate cannot be produced and the corporation or transfer agent needs formal proof before acting on your request.
The form collects the details the corporation or transfer agent needs to identify the missing certificate on their register. You will provide the following.
Section 54 of the OBCA gives the corporation discretion to require a surety bond (indemnity bond) sufficient to protect against any future claim on the original certificate. Whether the bond is required depends on the corporation's policy and the value of the shares.
For low-value holdings, some corporations waive the bond entirely. For high-value certificates, you will need to arrange the bond separately through a surety company. The notary can commission your signature on the bond application at the same appointment.
If the shares belonged to a deceased person, the estate trustee (executor) can swear the affidavit on behalf of the estate. You will need to bring your Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee or a certified copy of the will appointing you, along with your own photo ID. Transfer agents may have additional estate-specific requirements beyond the affidavit itself.
The notary must verify your identity before administering the oath. Gather the following before your visit.
At Minute Notary, you present your photo ID, state the details of the lost certificate, and swear or affirm the truth of your statement before the notary. You sign in the notary's presence, and the notary completes the jurat and applies the seal. The appointment takes about ten minutes, and commissioning is a flat $19.90 per signature stamp.
Virtual commissioning is also available under Ontario Regulation 431/20 if both you and the notary are located in Ontario during the video call.
Frequently asked
Fill it in online, download a ready-to-sign PDF, then bring it in and we will notarize it, in person across Ottawa or online.