What Is an OSAP Affidavit and Do You Need One?

An affidavit is a written statement of fact that you swear or affirm to be true in front of a lawyer, commissioner of oaths, or notary public. Because it is sworn evidence, an affidavit carries legal weight. Providing false information in an affidavit can have serious consequences.

In the context of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), an OSAP affidavit is a sworn statement used to support your student financial assistance application in Ontario.

OSAP may request an affidavit when you are unable to provide official documentation to confirm certain details about your personal, family, or financial situation. In other words, if you cannot obtain a formal document (such as a marriage certificate, court order, tax slip, or separation agreement), OSAP may allow you to confirm the information by swearing an affidavit instead.

Situations Where You May Need an OSAP Affidavit

You may be required to submit an affidavit to confirm:

• You are living in a common-law relationship

• You are a sole support parent

• Your marital status (married, separated, divorced, widowed)

• Your income (including foreign or non-taxable income)

• Your spouse’s income

Below are the most common types of OSAP affidavits and what they typically require.

Common Types of OSAP Affidavits

1. OSAP Affidavit of Common-Law Status

If you do not have formal documentation proving your common-law relationship, you and your partner may need to swear an affidavit confirming that:

• You have lived together in a conjugal relationship outside of marriage continuously for at least three years; or

• You have lived together for less than three years in a relationship of some permanence and are the natural or adoptive parents of a child.

Both partners are generally required to sign this affidavit.

2. Affidavit of Sole Support Parent – Never Married or Widowed

If you are a sole support parent who has never married or is widowed, you must swear an affidavit confirming:

• Your child(ren) will live with you full-time during the academic year

• The birth dates of your child(ren)

If you are widowed, you must also provide a copy of your spouse’s death certificate.

3. Affidavit of Sole Support Parent – Separated or Divorced

If you are separated or divorced and do not have a separation agreement, divorce judgment, or court order, you may need to provide an affidavit stating:

• The date of your separation or divorce

• Details of your custody arrangements

• Confirmation that your child(ren) will live with you at least 50% of the time during the academic year

  
  

4. OSAP Affidavit of Marital Status (Married)

If you are married but cannot provide a marriage certificate, you and your spouse may be required to swear an affidavit confirming:

• The date of your marriage

• The details of your marriage

  
  

5. OSAP Affidavit of Marital Status – Separated or Divorced With No Dependent Children

If you are separated or divorced, do not have a formal agreement or court order, and do not have children living with you during the academic year, you may submit an affidavit confirming:

• The date of your separation or divorce

• Relevant details about the change in your marital status

6. OSAP Affidavits Relating to Income

OSAP frequently requires affidavits when tax documents or official income records are unavailable.

Student’s Foreign or Non-Taxable Income

If you earned foreign or non-taxable income that was not reported to the Canada Revenue Agency and cannot provide supporting documentation, you may submit an affidavit explaining:

• Why documentation is unavailable

• The amount earned

• The currency

• The source of income

Student’s Income – No Income

If you did not earn any income in a particular year, you must provide an affidavit stating:

• Where you resided during that year

• How you supported yourself

• Why you had no income

Spouse’s Foreign or Non-Taxable Income

If your spouse earned foreign or non-taxable income that cannot be documented, they must swear an affidavit explaining:

• Why documentation is unavailable

• The amount, currency, and source of income

Parent’s Foreign or Non-Taxable Income

If your parent earned foreign or non-taxable income that cannot be verified through official documents, they may complete an affidavit stating:

• Why documentation is unavailable

• The amount, currency, and source of income

Parent’s Income – No Income

If your parent had no income in a particular year, they must swear an affidavit explaining:

• Where they resided during that year

• How they supported themselves

• Why they had no income

Important: Affidavits Must Be Properly Sworn

An OSAP affidavit must be signed in front of a lawyer, commissioner of oaths, or notary public. You cannot sign it in advance. The official must verify your identity and witness your signature before applying their seal and signature.

Free OSAP affidavit templates are available in office for common-law relationship, sole support parent, confirmation of marital status, declaring non-taxable foreign income and more.