How to Prove Your Car Ownership in Canada?
Introduction
Owning a car is not only paying for the gas and driving it. It comes with a lot of responsibilities like it should always have a valid insurance, a valid “Safety Standard Certificate” and, once your car completes its life, you have to think about responsible disposal.
If you want to do anything with your car, you have to prove your ownership, especially when you are selling, trading, or scrapping it. So, how do you prove ownership of a car in Canada? So, here in this blog, we will discuss about the documents you need to prove your car ownership.
1. Vehicle Registration Certificate
The primary proof of vehicle ownership in Canada is the “Vehicle Registration Certificate“. The provincial government where the car was registered issues this document. You will see many details on the certificate, like its Make, Model, Year, and VIN. Plus, this document also mentions the state name and address of the registered owner. Every time the vehicle is sold, you need the registration certificate to be updated to mention the name of the new owner. So, if you are buying a used car, you need to ask for the vehicle registration document.
2. Bill of Sale
“Bill of Sale” is also an important document to prove a car ownership in Canada. The seller offers this document to the buyer at the time of the transaction. The Bill of Sale includes some important information like the buyer’s and seller’s details, purchase price, and the date of sale. Albeit, the bill of sale is not enough proof, when you combine the vehicle registration certificate and bill of sale, it makes a strong case.
Also Read: How do I replace a lost car ownership in Ontario?
3. Car Insurance Policy
A car insurance policy is another paper that can prove your car’s ownership. Most of the insurance companies will list all the vehicle’s details, like owner’s name, address, and vehicle registration date. But there are cases where the owner and the insured person might be different, like someone who gifted a car. So to prove a car ownership in Canada, just having a insurance copy is not enough, but it is still a very important document.
4. Vehicle History Reports
Many online portals in Canada, offer Vehicle History Reports. You can get the detailed history of the car from its VIN, including its previous owners and accident details. The main point of checking this document is to see the background of the used car, but it serves as an important document to prove ownership.
5. Loan or Lease Agreements
If you have purchased a car with a loan or have it on a lease, the Lease Agreement can become a proof of ownership. These agreements will have the buyer’s name to make it a valid proof of ownership.
6. Title Document
The title document also serves as one of the proofs of vehicle ownership in some Canadian provinces. You must know that it’s an important document, but not all provinces in Canada accept it.
Also Read: Can You Scrap a Car Without a Title in Ontario?
Final Thoughts:
It’s great to own a car, as it gives you a sense of freedom. But you need to make sure that you have the right documents with you to prove ownership of your car. It doesn’t matter if you want to sell your car for scrap or sell it to a second hand car dealer. All the car documents are equally important.
If your car has reached the end of its life, you can consider selling it to a scrapyard. At Greenway Auto Recycling, we offer top dollars for your old, junk and wrecked cars. Call us at (416) 783-9026 if you don’t want your vehicle with you or repair it. We will make sure that you can get amazing services with 100% satisfaction.
NOTE: We are a fully licensed scrap car removal company, we buy scrap cars after verifying your ownership documents. So, be ready with above documents for a smoother transation.
Last Updated on 16th January 2025
