Canadian Executor Resource Centre

Find official links, forms, applications, and practical next-step context for executors, families, and people planning ahead across Canada.

• Notify the federal government of a death Federal · Notify government

  The Canada.ca death notification hub explains which federal departments and programs must be told about a death, and in what order.

• Cancel CPP and OAS benefits after a death Federal · Notify government

  Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security payments must be cancelled promptly. Payments issued for months after the death usually must be returned.

• Apply for the CPP Death Benefit Federal · Apply for benefits

  A one-time payment to the estate (or eligible individuals) of a deceased CPP contributor. The executor should usually apply within 60 days.

• Apply for the CPP Survivor's Pension Federal · Apply for benefits

  A monthly pension paid to the surviving spouse or common-law partner of a deceased CPP contributor. Apply promptly: retroactive payments are limited.

• Register as the legal representative with the CRA Federal · Taxes & CRA

  Before the CRA will discuss the deceased’s tax affairs, the executor must be recorded as the legal representative and notify the CRA of the date of death.

• Prepare the final tax return for the deceased Federal · Taxes & CRA

  The final T1 return covers January 1 to the date of death. Filing deadlines depend on the date of death, and optional returns can reduce tax.

• Request a CRA clearance certificate Federal · Taxes & CRA

  A clearance certificate confirms the estate’s taxes are paid. Distributing assets without one can leave the executor personally liable for unpaid tax.

• Order a death certificate in Alberta Alberta · Notify government

  Death certificates are issued through Alberta Vital Statistics via registry agents. Most estate tasks require one or more certified copies.

• Apply for a grant of probate or administration in Alberta Alberta · Probate & court

  The Surrogate Court process confirms the executor’s authority. Whether probate is needed depends on the assets and how they are held.

• Change or transfer land title after a death (Alberta) Alberta · Property

  How property transfers depends on how title was held. Surviving joint tenants use a statutory declaration; sole ownership usually requires probate and a transmission application.

• Transfer a vehicle registration in Alberta Alberta · Vehicle

  Vehicles owned by the deceased must be transferred or re-registered through an Alberta registry agent, and insurance updated before anyone drives the vehicle.

• Order a death certificate in British Columbia British Columbia · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in British Columbia through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Apply for probate or administration in British Columbia British Columbia · Probate & court

  Use the official court information and forms for obtaining authority to administer an estate in British Columbia.

• Change or transfer property title after a death in British Columbia British Columbia · Property

  Use the official land registry guidance and forms for changing ownership after a death. The process depends on how title was held.

• Transfer a vehicle after a death in British Columbia British Columbia · Vehicle

  Use the official vehicle registry information to transfer ownership or registration after the registered owner has died.

• Order a death certificate in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in Saskatchewan through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Apply for probate or administration in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan · Probate & court

  Use the official court information and forms for obtaining authority to administer an estate in Saskatchewan.

• Change or transfer property title after a death in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan · Property

  Use the official land registry guidance and forms for changing ownership after a death. The process depends on how title was held.

• Transfer a vehicle after a death in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan · Vehicle

  Use the official vehicle registry information to transfer ownership or registration after the registered owner has died.

• Order a death certificate in Manitoba Manitoba · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in Manitoba through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Apply for probate or administration in Manitoba Manitoba · Probate & court

  Use the official court information and forms for obtaining authority to administer an estate in Manitoba.

• Change or transfer property title after a death in Manitoba Manitoba · Property

  Use the official land registry guidance and forms for changing ownership after a death. The process depends on how title was held.

• Transfer a vehicle after a death in Manitoba Manitoba · Vehicle

  Use the official vehicle registry information to transfer ownership or registration after the registered owner has died.

• Order a death certificate in Ontario Ontario · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in Ontario through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Apply for probate or administration in Ontario Ontario · Probate & court

  Use the official court information and forms for obtaining authority to administer an estate in Ontario.

• Change or transfer property title after a death in Ontario Ontario · Property

  Use the official land registry guidance and forms for changing ownership after a death. The process depends on how title was held.

• Transfer a vehicle after a death in Ontario Ontario · Vehicle

  Use the official vehicle registry information to transfer ownership or registration after the registered owner has died.

• Order a death certificate in Quebec Quebec · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in Quebec through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Settle a succession and probate a will in Quebec Quebec · Probate & court

  Quebec uses a succession process led by a liquidator. A notarial will does not require probate, while a witnessed or holograph will generally does.

• Transfer immovable property after a death in Quebec Quebec · Property

  A notary prepares and registers a declaration of transmission to transfer ownership rights in immovable property.

• Transfer a vehicle from a succession in Quebec Quebec · Vehicle

  The SAAQ provides the documents and steps a liquidator or heir needs to transfer a vehicle from a succession.

• Order a death certificate in New Brunswick New Brunswick · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in New Brunswick through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Apply for probate or administration in New Brunswick New Brunswick · Probate & court

  Use the official court information and forms for obtaining authority to administer an estate in New Brunswick.

• Change or transfer property title after a death in New Brunswick New Brunswick · Property

  Use the official land registry guidance and forms for changing ownership after a death. The process depends on how title was held.

• Transfer a vehicle after a death in New Brunswick New Brunswick · Vehicle

  Use the official vehicle registry information to transfer ownership or registration after the registered owner has died.

• Order a death certificate in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in Nova Scotia through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Apply for probate or administration in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia · Probate & court

  Use the official court information and forms for obtaining authority to administer an estate in Nova Scotia.

• Change or transfer property title after a death in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia · Property

  Use the official land registry guidance and forms for changing ownership after a death. The process depends on how title was held.

• Transfer a vehicle after a death in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia · Vehicle

  Use the official vehicle registry information to transfer ownership or registration after the registered owner has died.

• Order a death certificate in Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in Prince Edward Island through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Apply for probate or administration in Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island · Probate & court

  Use the official court information and forms for obtaining authority to administer an estate in Prince Edward Island.

• Change or transfer property title after a death in Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island · Property

  Use the official land registry guidance and forms for changing ownership after a death. The process depends on how title was held.

• Transfer a vehicle after a death in Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island · Vehicle

  Use the official vehicle registry information to transfer ownership or registration after the registered owner has died.

• Order a death certificate in Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in Newfoundland and Labrador through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Apply for probate or administration in Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador · Probate & court

  Use the official court information and forms for obtaining authority to administer an estate in Newfoundland and Labrador.

• Change or transfer property title after a death in Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador · Property

  Use the official land registry guidance and forms for changing ownership after a death. The process depends on how title was held.

• Transfer a vehicle after a death in Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador · Vehicle

  Use the official vehicle registry information to transfer ownership or registration after the registered owner has died.

• Order a death certificate in Yukon Yukon · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in Yukon through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Apply for probate or administration in Yukon Yukon · Probate & court

  Use the official court information and forms for obtaining authority to administer an estate in Yukon.

• Change or transfer property title after a death in Yukon Yukon · Property

  Use the official land registry guidance and forms for changing ownership after a death. The process depends on how title was held.

• Transfer a vehicle after a death in Yukon Yukon · Vehicle

  Use the official vehicle registry information to transfer ownership or registration after the registered owner has died.

• Order a death certificate in Northwest Territories Northwest Territories · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in Northwest Territories through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Apply for probate or administration in Northwest Territories Northwest Territories · Probate & court

  Use the official court information and forms for obtaining authority to administer an estate in Northwest Territories.

• Change or transfer property title after a death in Northwest Territories Northwest Territories · Property

  Use the official land registry guidance and forms for changing ownership after a death. The process depends on how title was held.

• Transfer a vehicle after a death in Northwest Territories Northwest Territories · Vehicle

  Use the official vehicle registry information to transfer ownership or registration after the registered owner has died.

• Order a death certificate in Nunavut Nunavut · Notify government

  Order official proof of a death registered in Nunavut through the responsible vital statistics authority.

• Apply for probate or administration in Nunavut Nunavut · Probate & court

  Use the official court information and forms for obtaining authority to administer an estate in Nunavut.

• Change or transfer property title after a death in Nunavut Nunavut · Property

  Use the official land registry guidance and forms for changing ownership after a death. The process depends on how title was held.

• Transfer a vehicle after a death in Nunavut Nunavut · Vehicle

  Use the official vehicle registry information to transfer ownership or registration after the registered owner has died.

• Notify Equifax Canada of a death Institution · Credit & identity

  Placing a deceased flag on the credit file helps prevent identity theft and new credit being opened in the deceased’s name.

• Notify TransUnion Canada of a death Institution · Credit & identity

  TransUnion maintains its own credit file. A separate deceased notification is required in addition to Equifax.

• Request access to or deletion of a deceased person’s Apple account Platform · Digital accounts

  Apple offers a Digital Legacy program for pre-designated contacts, and a court-order path otherwise. Photos, iCloud data, and purchases hinge on this.

• Submit a request about a deceased person’s Google account Platform · Digital accounts

  Google provides a request process to close an account, request funds, or in limited cases obtain data from a deceased user’s account.

• Memorialize or remove a Facebook account Platform · Digital accounts

  Facebook accounts can be memorialized (frozen as a tribute) or permanently removed at the request of family or the executor.

• Close or access a deceased person’s Microsoft account Platform · Digital accounts

  Guidance for Outlook.com, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services when the account holder has died, including the next-of-kin process.

• Check eligibility for the Veterans Affairs Funeral and Burial Program Federal · Funeral & burial

  Veterans Affairs Canada, through the Last Post Fund, may cover funeral and burial costs for eligible veterans.

The Life Steward Resource Centre is provided for general information and navigation only. Confirm current requirements and deadlines with the appropriate organization or professional before acting.