A Canadian Affidavit of Death is a sworn written statement used to officially notify relevant parties, agencies, and institutions that a specific individual has passed away. The document is made under oath or solemn affirmation by a person who has legal authority over the deceased’s estate — typically the estate trustee (executor) named in the will, an administrator appointed by the court, or the deceased’s legal representative — and is sworn before an authorized official such as a commissioner of oaths, notary public, or lawyer.

The legal framework for death-related affidavits in Canada involves both federal and provincial legislation. Each province and territory maintains a Vital Statistics Act that governs the registration of deaths — Ontario’s Vital Statistics Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. V.4), British Columbia’s Vital Statistics Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 479), Alberta’s Vital Statistics Act (R.S.A. 2000, c. V-4.1), and equivalent legislation in other jurisdictions. Death must be registered with the provincial vital statistics office, and a death certificate is issued by the province.

The Affidavit of Death supplements the death certificate by providing additional sworn details relevant to estate administration — specifically, the Affiant’s legal capacity, a description of estate property, and confirmation that funeral expenses and debts are being addressed. Making a false statement in the document constitutes perjury under section 131 of the Criminal Code of Canada, punishable by up to fourteen years imprisonment.

A Canadian Affidavit of Death is needed in several common situations throughout the estate administration process. Probate and estate proceedings require the affidavit when applying for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee in Ontario (under the Estates Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.21), a Grant of Probate in British Columbia (under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, S.B.C. 2009, c. 13), or equivalent court orders in other provinces.

Financial institutions including banks, investment firms, and insurance companies require a sworn Affidavit of Death along with the death certificate and certificate of appointment before releasing funds, transferring accounts, or paying out life insurance benefits. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may require the affidavit for filing the deceased’s final tax return and obtaining a Clearance Certificate under section 159 of the Income Tax Act.

Real property transfers and land title changes require the affidavit to be filed with the provincial land registry office — for example, the Ontario Land Registry system, BC Land Title and Survey Authority, or Alberta Land Titles Office. Pension and benefit claims through the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), or employer pension plans require notification of the member’s death and evidence of the claimant’s authority.

Vehicle registrations must be updated or transferred through provincial motor vehicle registries. Outstanding contracts, business interests, and professional licences may also require formal notification through an Affidavit of Death.

A valid Canadian Affidavit of Death must include several essential components. The header identifies the province or territory and municipality where the affidavit is sworn, establishing the geographic jurisdiction for the jurat. The Affiant’s (deponent’s) information includes their full legal name and residential address, establishing who is making the sworn statement.

The body of the affidavit contains numbered paragraphs setting out the Decedent’s full legal name, date of birth, last known residential address, date of death, and the municipality and province where the death occurred. The Affiant must state their legal capacity — whether they are the estate trustee with a will (executor), estate trustee without a will (administrator), or legal representative — establishing their authority to act on behalf of the estate.

A property description section identifies estate property by type, street address, municipality, province, postal code, and legal description as recorded in the land title registry. This section is critical for real property transfers and land title changes. A statement regarding funeral expenses and debts confirms that these obligations are being administered in accordance with provincial estate legislation.

The perjury notice warns the Affiant that false statements constitute criminal offences under sections 131 and 134 of the Criminal Code of Canada. The jurat records where, when, and before whom the oath or affirmation was administered, and must include the signatures of both the Affiant and the administering official (commissioner for oaths, notary public, or lawyer). A governing law clause identifies the applicable provincial legislation for estate administration.