What is a digital certificate?
A digital certificate is a six-digit code which gives the owner the right to make changes to the ownership or holder information of a vehicle or a watercraft.
The registered owner of a vehicle or a watercraft may create the certificate in Traficom's online service. The digital certificate is valid for 14 days.
Using a digital certificate when selling/buying a vehicle
Please note that some of Traficom’s e-services and PDF forms are only available in Finnish and Swedish.
Vehicle seller (registered owner)
Create the certificate in Traficom’s online service
When creating the certificate, you can print out the pre-completed deed of transfer for the sale for yourself and the buyer.
Youtube-video: Seller: Create a digital certificate (External link)
Deliver the digital certificate to the buyer
Check the buyer’s identity. Complete and sign two identical copies of the deed of transfer, one for yourself and the other for the buyer.
Send the notification of transfer
Send the notification of transfer (External link) via Traficom’s online service and check that you do not have to make any further payments on the vehicle. Keep the deed of transfer in case there are disagreements concerning the sale.
Vehicle buyer
Check the validity of the digital certificate
Check the validity of the digital certificate that you have received from the seller.
Check the seller's identity and complete and sign two identical copies of the deed of transfer, one for yourself and the other for the seller.
Register the change of ownership within seven days
Take a motor vehicle liability insurance policy for the vehicle and register it within seven days of the sale.
The buyer can register the change of ownership using the digital certificate via the online service of Traficom or his/her insurance company , or at a registration point .
The ownership of a vehicle in traffic use can only be changed in Traficom’s online service if the vehicle is covered by a motor vehicle liability insurance. You can take the insurance policy and register the vehicle in insurance companies’ online services .
Note that if the vehicle that you have bought has been decommissioned , it must be commissioned before use.