Cancelling a Deceased Person's Driver's Licence and Health Card in Ontario

After a death, the executor has a long list of notices to send. Government cards and licences are among the easiest to forget, and they matter because they can be misused or can lead to confusion if left active.

This article sets out which Ontario services to notify, the deadline that applies to parking permits, and how vehicles and federal benefits fit in. Confirm the current procedure with ServiceOntario before you go in.

What ServiceOntario needs to hear about

ServiceOntario must be notified to cancel the deceased person's driver's licence, accessible parking permit, Ontario health (OHIP) card and outdoors card. The executor or their lawyer also contacts the CPP and OAS/GIS programs about cancelling benefits and any survivor benefits.

Ask ServiceOntario what proof it wants from you, such as a death certificate or evidence of your role as executor, because requirements can change.

Federal and benefit notices

Ontario cards are only part of the picture. The estate keeps the deceased's OAS and CPP payments for the month of death, and all payments issued after that month must be returned. To cancel benefits, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 with the deceased's Social Insurance Number, or write to a Service Canada office.

• Contact the CRA as soon as possible to avoid repayment of benefits.
• Return a valid passport to the Passport Program with a copy of the death certificate.
• Contact Canada Post to forward the deceased's mail.
• Notify Equifax and TransUnion to guard against identity fraud.

When a death occurs in a Canadian province, the provincial vital statistics agency automatically notifies the SIN program. If the death occurred in a territory or outside Canada, the family or estate must inform the SIN Program.

If the person received ODSP, a single recipient's final month is paid for full shelter and basic needs, less any overpayment recovery. A deceased spouse's 50% share of a split overpayment may be recovered from the estate's assets.

There is also a payment you may be able to claim rather than cancel. The CPP death benefit is a basic amount of $2,500 plus a possible top-up of $2,500, for a maximum of $5,000. The executor named in the will, or the administrator appointed by the court, applies, and should do so within 60 days of the date of death.

Eligibility depends on the deceased's contributions. They must have contributed to the CPP for at least one-third of the calendar years in their base CPP contributory period (but no less than three calendar years), or for at least 10 calendar years. If there is no estate, or the executor has not applied, the benefit can be claimed, in order of priority, by the person or institution that paid or is responsible for paying the funeral expenses, then the surviving spouse or common-law partner, then the next of kin.

What about the vehicle?

Cancelling a licence does not deal with the car. A vehicle may be transferred to a beneficiary of the estate exempt from retail sales tax if supporting estate documents are provided. With a will, that is the will naming the estate trustee and beneficiary, or a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee or Small Estate Certificate plus a trustee letter giving the VIN, year, make and model. Without a will, it is a trustee letter with a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee without a Will or a Small Estate Certificate, or a lawyer's letter.

Joint ownership changes the paperwork. If a vehicle is jointly registered to legally married spouses and one dies, the survivor can transfer it exempt from retail sales tax with only a death certificate or a certified copy. In all other joint-ownership cases, including common-law spouses, the surviving owner must provide the estate documents to show they are the legal beneficiary.

When a vehicle is registered to a new owner, proof of Ontario vehicle insurance is required, and licence plates may be transferred only between spouses, parents and children, using a plate transfer declaration. Other steps, such as a safety certificate, depend on the situation, so confirm at ServiceOntario.

What to do next

• Order several certified copies of the death certificate.
• Gather the licence, health card, parking permit and outdoors card.
• Contact ServiceOntario about each item.
• Return any accessible parking permit within 30 days.
• Call Service Canada about CPP and OAS payments.
• Decide what happens to the vehicle before you cancel insurance.

If you are unsure whether you are the right person to act, or the estate has no will, speak with a lawyer before you start. Where there is no will, the deceased's spouse or common-law partner usually has the first right to apply for a certificate of appointment, followed by a close adult relative. If a named estate trustee declines or cannot act, the beneficiaries may nominate another person to act. Keep a record of each notice you send.

Frequently asked questions