Transferring Ownership of a Used Vehicle to a Family Member

Transferring your Car to Family?

In Ontario, when gifting a used motor vehicle from one family member to another, both parties are required to sign a ‘Sworn Statement for a Family Gift of a Used Motor Vehicle’ form. This is required to have the transaction exempt from retail sales tax on the value of the vehicle.

You can download the up to date form from Service Ontario here, or you can pick one up at any Service Ontario Centre.

If you are having trouble downloading from Service Ontario, a copy of the pdf form is here

To Qualify

Retail sales tax is waived when the vehicle transfer is made between any of the following family members:

• spouse
• parent or step-parent
• grand-parent
• son or step-son
• daughter or step-daughter
• grandson or granddaughter
• step-grandson or step-granddaughter
• son-in-law
• daughter-in-law
• father-in-law
• mother-in-law
• brother or sister
• half siblings (siblings with a common parent)
• adopted siblings (siblings with a common parent by way of adoption)

There is, however, one additional restriction: you are allowed only one tax-free vehicle transfer every 12 months.

How Red Seal Notary Can Help

The ‘Sworn Statement for a Family Gift of a Used Motor Vehicle’ form must be signed in the presence of a lawyer, notary public or commissioner of oaths.

Simply bring your form to any Red Seal Notary walk in location, or book an appointment at one of our ‘appointments only’ locations, and we will assist you in executing the document. (Don’t sign the form until the Notary says it is ok, but you can fill out all the details in advance).

Remember, the person transferring the vehicle and the person taking ownership must BOTH sign the form in front of the notary, after the notary has administered the oath. Each party will need to present a piece of government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or an Ontario Photo Card.

If you are near Toronto, North York, Mississauga or Ottawa, please visit one of Red Seal Notary’s walk-in locations. For your convenience, there is a Service Ontario office within easy walking distance of most of them.

If you live elsewhere in Ontario, you can usually obtain a same-day or next-day appointment with one of our notary representatives, and all notarizations are done on the spot.

To schedule an appointment with Red Seal Notary, please call 1-888-922-7325 or complete our online appointment request form.

We look forward to assisting you.