Your Guide to Various OSAP Affidavits
Table of Contents
An OSAP affidavit is a sworn statement that confirms something about your situation, such as having no income, being in a common-law relationship or being a sole support parent, when you don’t have the usual documents to prove it. You sign it in front of a notary public or commissioner for taking affidavits, then upload it to your OSAP account.
Key Takeaways
- You need an OSAP affidavit when OSAP asks you to prove something and you don’t have the official documents.
- There are six common OSAP affidavits: no income, common-law status, sole support parent, marital status, foreign or non-taxable income, and Indigenous identity.
- You must sign your affidavit in front of a notary public, lawyer, paralegal or commissioner for taking affidavits.
- You can sign your OSAP affidavit with a notary online through NotaryPro, then upload it to your OSAP account.
- For programs starting on or after August 1, 2026, more of Ontario’s OSAP funding comes as loans instead of grants.
Already have your OSAP affidavit?
What Is an OSAP Affidavit?
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) sometimes asks you to prove facts about your income, relationship or family. Usually you’d send a document, like a tax return or a separation agreement. If you don’t have one, OSAP may accept an affidavit instead.
An affidavit is a written statement of facts that you swear or affirm is true. You sign it in front of an authorized official, who signs it too. This step is called commissioning. Our guide What is an affidavit? explains affidavits in more detail.
Treat it seriously: knowingly making a false statement in an affidavit is a criminal offence under Canada’s Criminal Code.
Which OSAP Affidavit Do I Need?
Find your situation below. Each one links to a free NotaryPro template.
- You, your spouse or your parent had little or no income: Affidavit of No Income. The person with no income signs it.
- You live with your partner but aren’t married: Affidavit of Common-Law Status. You and your partner both sign it.
- You’re raising your child(ren) on your own: Affidavit of Sole Support Parent Status. You sign it.
- You’re married, separated, divorced or widowed and have no children living with you: Affidavit of Marital Status. You sign it, and your spouse too if you’re married.
- You, your spouse or your parent had foreign or non-taxable income: Affidavit of Foreign or Non-Taxable Income. The person who earned the income signs it.
- OSAP asks you to confirm your Indigenous identity: Affidavit of Indigenous Identity. You sign it.
Your OSAP account lists the documents OSAP needs from you. Only submit an affidavit when it asks for one.
Situation not on the list? Use our free OSAP affidavit drafting template to write one for your circumstances.
Recent Changes to OSAP Funding
Ontario changed how OSAP funding is split for programs starting on or after August 1, 2026. Check ontario.ca for the current rules before you apply:
- More of Ontario’s OSAP funding is given as loans instead of grants. Grants now make up no more than 25% of Ontario’s share; the rest is loans.
- Students at private career colleges get all of their Ontario funding as loans.
- You’re still automatically considered for both grants and loans, and you can decline the loan once you’re approved.
OSAP can be used at OSAP-approved colleges and universities. Check that your school and program are approved before you apply.
Affidavit of No Income (student, spouse or parent)
Use this if you, your spouse or your parent earned little or no income in the year OSAP asks about. It usually includes:
- the person’s full name and permanent address
- where they lived that year, including dates in and outside Canada
- why they had no income
- how they paid for day-to-day living costs
Free templates: student, spouse, parent.
Next step: sign it with a notary online.
Affidavit of Common-Law Status
OSAP considers you common-law if you’ve lived together continuously for at least 3 years, or if you’re in a lasting relationship and have a child together by birth or adoption (ontario.ca). It usually includes:
- both partners’ full names and permanent address
- a statement that you’ve lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 3 years, or that you share a child
- both partners’ signatures
Get the free Common-Law Status template.
Next step: sign it with a notary online. You and your partner both need to attend.
Need to prove your common-law relationship for something other than OSAP? See our guide to the Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union.
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Affidavit of Sole Support Parent Status
You’re a sole support parent if you’re single, separated, divorced or widowed, and a dependent child lives with you at least 50% of the time during your study period. Receiving child support doesn’t disqualify you. It usually includes:
- your full name and permanent address
- your children’s names and dates of birth
- confirmation that they live with you at least 50% of the time
- your separation or divorce date, if applicable
- custody arrangements and any child support you receive
If you’re widowed, OSAP may also ask for your spouse’s death certificate. See ontario.ca’s OSAP definitions for the full rules. Get the free Sole Support Parent template.
Next step: sign it with a notary online.
Affidavit of Marital Status
Use this if you’re married, separated, divorced or widowed, don’t have documents to prove it (like a marriage certificate, separation agreement or divorce order), and have no dependent children living with you. If you have children living with you, use the sole support parent affidavit instead. It usually includes:
- your full name and permanent address
- why you don’t have the usual documents
- the date and place of your marriage, and your separation or divorce date, if applicable
- your spouse’s signature too, if you’re married
Get the free Marital Status template.
Next step: sign it with a notary online. If you’re married, your spouse needs to attend too.
Affidavit of Foreign or Non-Taxable Income
Use this if you, your spouse or your parent had income that wasn’t reported to the Canada Revenue Agency, and you can’t provide documents to prove it. Examples include income earned outside Canada, income earned on a First Nations reserve, child support, gifts, inheritances, lottery winnings, investment income, TFSA earnings, lawsuit settlements and strike pay. Check your OSAP account for exactly what you need to report. It usually includes:
- the person’s full name and permanent address
- the source of the income, and the amount in the original currency
- the last year they lived in another country, if applicable
- why they can’t provide the usual documents
Free templates: for you, for your spouse, for your parents.
Next step: sign it with a notary online. The person who earned the income signs it.
Affidavit of Indigenous Identity
Use this if OSAP asks you to prove your Indigenous identity and you don’t have one of the official documents listed in your OSAP application. It includes your full name, permanent address, a statement of your Indigenous identity, and an explanation of why you can’t provide official documents. Get the free Indigenous Identity template.
Next step: sign it with a notary online.
How to Get Your OSAP Affidavit Signed
Every OSAP affidavit must be signed in front of a notary public, lawyer, paralegal or commissioner for taking affidavits (see who can sign an affidavit in Ontario). OSAP affidavits can be signed online by video, so you don’t need to travel to an office. Here’s how it works with NotaryPro:
- Fill in your affidavit, but don’t sign it yet.
- Book an online appointment with a NotaryPro notary.
- Show your ID on the video call so the notary can confirm who you are.
- Swear or affirm that your affidavit is true, then sign it while the notary watches.
- The notary signs it too, and you get the signed copy to download.
If your affidavit needs two signatures, like a common-law or marital status affidavit, both people need to attend.
Already have your OSAP affidavit?
Uploading Your Affidavit and Supporting Documents
Once your affidavit is signed, upload it to your OSAP account along with any other documents OSAP asks for, such as proof of income, family status or residency. Your OSAP account lists exactly what you need and when it’s due. Missing documents can delay your funding. New to OSAP? See ontario.ca’s guide on how to apply for OSAP.
If your circumstances change after you apply, like your income, relationship or number of dependants, update your OSAP account or contact your school’s financial aid office. OSAP may ask for a new affidavit or other documents.
Locked out of your account? See our guide to the OSAP forgot password form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an OSAP affidavit need to be notarized?
It needs to be signed in front of an authorized official, such as a notary public, lawyer, paralegal or commissioner for taking affidavits. An unsigned or unwitnessed affidavit won’t be accepted.
Can I get my OSAP affidavit signed online?
Yes. You can meet a NotaryPro notary by video, sign your affidavit while they watch, and download the signed copy to upload to OSAP.
Which OSAP affidavit do I need if I have no income?
The Affidavit of No Income. There are versions for students, spouses and parents. The person with no income signs it.
How long do I have to live with my partner to be common-law for OSAP?
At least 3 years continuously, unless you have a child together by birth or adoption.
How do I upload my OSAP affidavit?
Log in to your OSAP account and upload it where your account lists it as a required document.
How much of my OSAP is a grant?
It depends on your situation and your school. Ontario now gives more of its OSAP funding as loans than grants, and federal grants are separate. See “Recent Changes to OSAP Funding” above, and check your OSAP account for your own amounts.
Get Your OSAP Affidavit Signed With NotaryPro
Pick the affidavit that fits your situation, fill in the free template, and sign it with a NotaryPro notary public online. Then upload it to your OSAP account and get back to school.
