Activation Code- iPad

Presumably your iPad is Activation Locked.

Here are the Apple support pages that outline the Activation Lock - and the only mechanisms by which it can be turned off:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Turn off Activation Lock – Apple Support

As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. With documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple may be prepared to assist - otherwise they and nobody here will be able to help you.

If you have the necessary documentation, Apple have recently introduced a new portal though which you may be able to request release of an Activation Lock:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support & start an Activation Lock support request.

However, recovery of the AppleID credentials should be possible…

If you have forgotten your AppleID or associated password, these can be recovered here:

https://iforgot.apple.com/

To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to any one of the following:

• Your primary email address mailbox that corresponds with your AppleID
• Any of the secondary/recovery email addresses that should be configured for your AppleID account
• Any of the trusted telephone numbers (fixed line or Cellular/Mobile) that are associated with your AppleID

Unless you AppleID account has not been fully/correctly configured, or has been seriously neglected, recovery of the AppleID and password should not be difficult.

More information about recovery of your AppleID:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

More information about recovery of your AppleID password:

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

When you recover access to your credentials, you would be well advised to log-in to your AppleID account from a web browser - and verify/update any email addresses and trusted telephone numbers:

https://appleid.apple.com/

As others have already said, only the previous owner of the iPad can remove the activation lock. Send that person the article -What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (CA)

If you cannot contact the previous owner of the iPad - follow the instructions at Disposal and recycling information for iPad - Apple Support (CA)

nkromani wrote:

Unable to resolve the Activation Lock issue. I would rather reformat the iPad and start all over again. How do I do this? I am willing to lose all the data. No problem.

As already outlined, if you have the necessary documentation - proving that you are the original legitimate owner from new - Apple have a portal though which you may be able to request release of an Activation Lock:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support & start an Activation Lock support request.

That means the device is activation locked to a different iCloud account.

Did you buy it used?

Only the owner of the account used to lock it can remove the activation lock.

There is no way to bypass it.

Restoring the iPad isn't going to remove the Activation Lock.