A Canadian Affidavit of Survivorship is a sworn legal document used by a surviving joint tenant to establish their sole ownership of property following the death of a co-owner. When real property in Canada is held in joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, the deceased joint tenant's interest automatically passes to the surviving joint tenant by operation of law, without going through the probate process. However, the land registry records must be updated to reflect the change in ownership, and the Affidavit of Survivorship serves as the mechanism for doing so.

The legal basis for joint tenancy and the right of survivorship varies by province. In Ontario, the Land Titles Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. L.5) and the Registry Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. R.20) govern real property registration. The surviving joint tenant must file the Affidavit of Survivorship at the Land Registry Office to have the deceased's name removed from the title. In British Columbia, the Land Title Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 250) provides the framework for land registration, and the surviving owner files at the Land Title Office. Alberta's Land Titles Act (R.S.A. 2000, c. L-4) similarly requires registration at the Land Titles Office.

It is important to note that Quebec operates under a civil law system and does not recognize joint tenancy in the common law sense. Under the Civil Code of Quebec (CQLR c. CCQ-1991), co-ownership is typically "undivided co-ownership" (indivision), which does not include an automatic right of survivorship. A deceased co-owner's share in Quebec passes through their estate. The Affidavit of Survivorship must be sworn before a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits, a notary public, or a lawyer, as required under the Canada Evidence Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-5).

A Canadian Affidavit of Survivorship is needed whenever a joint tenant dies and the surviving joint tenant needs to update the property title to reflect sole ownership. This document is required regardless of whether the deceased co-owner left a will, because property held in joint tenancy passes outside of the estate by operation of law. The Affidavit is typically filed shortly after the death, once a certified copy of the death certificate has been obtained from the provincial Vital Statistics office.

The Affidavit of Survivorship is essential for several practical purposes. The surviving owner cannot sell, mortgage, or otherwise deal with the property without first updating the title. Financial institutions will require proof that the surviving owner has sole title before approving a new mortgage or refinancing. Insurance companies may also require updated title information to continue coverage.

The timing of filing varies by province, but there is generally no strict statutory deadline. However, delays can create complications, particularly if the surviving owner needs to sell the property, refinance a mortgage, or deal with property tax assessments. In Ontario, the filing requires payment of a land transfer tax on the registration, though there is generally no additional tax on the survivorship transfer itself. The Affidavit must also comply with the Estates Administration Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. E.22) in Ontario, which requires an Estate Administration Tax Affidavit if the transfer involves any estate administration.

A properly drafted Canadian Affidavit of Survivorship must include several essential elements to satisfy provincial land registry requirements. The document must clearly identify the surviving joint tenant by full legal name and current residential address. The deceased joint tenant must also be fully identified by legal name and date of death. Both names must match the names as they appear on the registered title.

The property must be described using the legal description as it appears on the registered title, including the lot number, plan number, and municipality or land registration district. The physical street address should also be included for reference. The instrument number of the original transfer or deed establishing joint tenancy must be cited, along with the name of the land registry office where it was registered.

The Affidavit must state that the property was held in joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, and not as tenants in common, as this distinction is legally significant. With joint tenancy, the right of survivorship applies automatically; with tenancy in common, the deceased's share passes through their estate. The Affidavit should reference the attached certified copy of the death certificate as proof of the co-owner's death.

The Affidavit must be sworn or affirmed before a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits, a notary public, or a lawyer authorized to administer oaths in the relevant province, in compliance with the Canada Evidence Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-5). False statements in a sworn affidavit constitute perjury under section 131 of the Criminal Code of Canada. The document should reference the governing provincial land titles legislation to ensure it meets all jurisdictional requirements for registration.