- Filing a divorce application in the Ontario Superior Court costs $214, and a separate federal $10 fee applies to any application or answer that claims a divorce.
- If you cannot afford court fees you can request a fee waiver, but the federal $10 divorce fee cannot be waived.
- A Certificate of Divorce (Form 36B) costs $25 and can be requested online, in person or by mail.
Before you start a divorce, it helps to know which government fees you will meet along the way. The main court fees are set under O. Reg. 417/95, and a separate federal fee applies to divorce claims.
This article walks through the court fees in an Ontario divorce, how a fee waiver works, how online filing works, and how to order the certificate that proves your divorce. It covers government fees only. Your own situation may bring other steps and costs, so it is worth confirming details with a lawyer.
Which court you file in
Only the Superior Court of Justice, including its Family Court branch, deals with divorce and property claims. That matters for fees, because the court fees listed below are the Superior Court family fees set under O. Reg. 417/95. The federal $10 fee and the certificate fee are separate from those court fees.
The Ontario Court of Justice is a different court. When you file in the family courts, the clerk normally sets a first appearance there, unless you are asking for a divorce or making claims related to property.
The fees, step by step
The Ontario government publishes a list of these Superior Court family fees. Check the current list on Ontario.ca before you file, since fees can change.
| Step | Fee |
|---|---|
| File an application | $214 |
| File an answer | $171 |
| File an answer that also asks for a divorce | $214 |
| Place an application on the list for hearing | $445 |
| Federal divorce fee, on any application or answer with a divorce claim | $10 |
| Certificate of Divorce (Form 36B) | $25 |
The $10 federal fee is separate from the court's own fees. It applies to any application or answer that includes a divorce claim.
The fee you pay depends on your role. The spouse who starts the case files the application. The other spouse, called the respondent, only pays an answer fee if they choose to file an answer. A respondent served in Canada or the US has 30 days to serve and file an answer, and a respondent served elsewhere has 60 days.
Joint applications
Either spouse can start a divorce by an application naming the other as respondent, or both spouses can file a joint application with no respondent. In a joint application, the divorce and any other order can be made only with both spouses' consent.
Because a joint application has no respondent, there is no answer to file. How you and your spouse divide the filing costs between you is a practical matter you can discuss and agree on.
Fee waivers for people on a low income
A person who cannot afford court fees can request a fee waiver. If it is granted, it covers most later fees. The exception is the federal $10 divorce fee, which cannot be waived.
- Ask for the waiver at the start, rather than assuming you can sort out the fees later.
- Be ready to explain your income and your circumstances honestly.
- Plan to pay the $10 federal fee even if the rest is waived.
Filing online and ordering your certificate
A simple or joint divorce can be filed online. Toronto filings go through the Ontario Courts Public Portal, and filings elsewhere go through Family Submissions Online. Court staff review submissions within 3 business days.
A divorce takes effect on the 31st day after the day the judgment granting it is made. Once it takes effect, the clerk will issue a Certificate of Divorce (Form 36B) at either party's request, after checking that no appeal is pending and no extension of the appeal time is outstanding. The certificate is proof of the date of the divorce.
The certificate costs $25. You can request it online with an Ontario.ca Login, in person at the courthouse, or by mail. You need the court location, the court file number and the year the divorce was granted.
Keep the certificate safe. If you later marry again in Ontario after a divorce granted in Canada, you must bring official proof of the divorce, such as a copy of the final decree, the final judgment or a certificate of divorce.
What to do next
- Confirm the current fee list on Ontario.ca before you file.
- Decide whether you will file alone or jointly with your spouse.
- If money is tight, request a fee waiver and remember the $10 federal fee stays.
- Choose the right online route: the Ontario Courts Public Portal for Toronto, Family Submissions Online elsewhere.
- Write down your court location and court file number so the certificate is easy to order later.
- Speak with a lawyer if your case includes children, support or property, since those claims can bring other filings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Ontario?
The Superior Court fee to file an application is $214, and a separate federal $10 fee applies to any application or answer with a divorce claim. A fee for placing the application on the list for hearing is $445. Your circumstances may add other steps, so confirm the current list on Ontario.ca.
What does the other spouse pay if they file an answer?
An answer costs $171, or $214 if the answer also asks for a divorce. The federal $10 fee applies to an answer with a divorce claim. A respondent served in Canada or the US has 30 days to file an answer, and 60 days if served elsewhere.
Can I get the fees waived?
If you cannot afford court fees, you can request a fee waiver, and if it is granted it covers most later fees. The federal $10 divorce fee cannot be waived.
How do I get a Certificate of Divorce, and what does it cost?
The certificate (Form 36B) costs $25 and you can request it online with an Ontario.ca Login, in person at the courthouse, or by mail. You need the court location, the court file number and the year the divorce was granted. The clerk issues it once the divorce has taken effect and no appeal is pending.
Sources
- Divorce Act, s. 12(1) – Justice Laws — Justice Laws (federal)
- Ontario.ca – Guide to procedures in family court: Documents for divorce applications — ontario.ca
- Family Law Rules, O. Reg. 114/99, r. 36(8) – e-Laws — Ontario e-Laws
- Ontario.ca – Get copies of family law documents from court — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – Getting married — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – Steps to filing an application — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – Family court fees (updated April 9, 2026) — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – File a divorce application online — ontario.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
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