- Filing a divorce application in the Superior Court of Justice costs $214.00, and an answer that asks for divorce costs the same.
- A federal $10 divorce registry fee applies to a divorce claim and cannot be waived.
- You may qualify for a fee waiver based on benefits, a Legal Aid Certificate, or household income and asset limits.
- A waiver does not cover lawyers, mediators, service fees or costs a court orders you to pay.
When people search for the cost of a divorce in Ontario, they often mix two different things: what the court charges to open and move a case forward, and what a lawyer charges to help with it. This article is about the first one. Court fees are set amounts, and some people on a low income can have them waived.
If money is tight, it helps to know the exact amounts, who qualifies for a waiver, and what a waiver will not cover. Fee amounts and income limits can be changed, so confirm the figures below before you file.
What the Superior Court charges to file
These are the family fees listed for the Superior Court of Justice.
| Step | Fee |
|---|---|
| File an application | $214.00 |
| File an answer that includes the respondent's request for divorce | $214.00 |
| File an answer that does not ask for divorce | $171.00 |
| Place an application on the list for hearing | $445.00 |
Not every case reaches every step. A case that settles early may never be placed on the list for hearing. Which fees you pay depends on what you are asking the court to do and how far the case goes.
Other charges that sit on top
Anyone who files an application or an answer with a divorce claim must also include the federal $10 fee under the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings Fee Order. This fee cannot be waived.
The Ontario Court of Justice charges no filing fees. Be careful with online fee tables from other websites, because they may add up totals differently or quote older amounts. Fee amounts can be changed by regulation, so check the court's current fee page on the day you file.
Court fees are only part of the picture. Lawyer fees, mediator fees and the cost of having documents served are separate, and a fee waiver does not cover them.
Who can get a fee waiver
You may be eligible if any one of the following applies.
- Your main household income comes from Ontario Works, ODSP, OAS with GIS, War Veterans Allowance or CPP benefits.
- You have a lawyer who is paid by a Legal Aid Certificate.
- Your gross annual household income is below the limit for your household size, shown in the table below.
| Household size | Gross annual household income below |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $33,100 |
| 2 people | $49,600 |
| 3 people | $57,300 |
| 4 people | $68,700 |
| 5 or more people | $80,200 |
Your household liquid assets must be under $2,800 and your net worth under $11,100. These limits are adjusted from time to time, so confirm the current numbers before you rely on them.
How to apply, and what a waiver does not cover
There are two forms. Use Form FW-A 3 if you think you meet the financial requirements, and Form FW-A 4 if you do not. The form must be sworn or affirmed. There is no cost to apply, and you must request a waiver separately for each case.
A waiver has limits. It does not cover any of the following.
- Fees paid to lawyers, mediators or transcriptionists.
- Costs a court has ordered you to pay another party.
- Fees you have already paid.
- The federal divorce registry fee.
- Fees for serving documents.
If you apply, apply before you pay, since fees already paid are not covered. If you are unsure which form fits, a lawyer or a Family Law Information Centre can help you sort that out.
Filing online and what happens after
Since 14 October 2025, family filings for the Toronto region must be made on the Ontario Courts Public Portal, and filings outside Toronto go through Family Submissions Online. You need an Ontario.ca Login, and your documents must be completed, signed, dated and commissioned as required, then saved as individual PDF or Word files.
Online payment is by Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard or Debit Mastercard only. Court staff review submissions within 3 business days. If the filing is accepted you get an email and the status changes to Approved, and if it is rejected your card is not charged and you can fix the problem and resubmit.
You cannot file online for an urgent hearing, or when a court date or legal deadline is 3 business days or less away. Sessions also time out, after 40 minutes on the Toronto portal and 20 minutes on Family Submissions Online, which allows you to save a draft. If you are served with an application, the deadline to file an answer is generally 30 days after service, or 60 days if you are outside Canada and the United States.
What to do next
- Work out whether you are starting the case or responding, since the fees differ.
- Check your household size, income, liquid assets and net worth against the waiver limits.
- Complete Form FW-A 3 or FW-A 4 and have it sworn or affirmed.
- Set aside the federal $10 fee, since it cannot be waived.
- Budget separately for serving documents and for any lawyer or mediator.
- Create your Ontario.ca Login before you need it, and keep your documents as individual files.
- If a deadline is close, speak to a lawyer or Family Law Information Centre before you rely on online filing.
If your situation is unusual, for example you are not sure about your household income, a lawyer can confirm how the rules apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Ontario?
In the Superior Court of Justice, filing an application is $214.00, plus the federal $10 divorce registry fee. Placing the application on the list for hearing is a further $445.00 if your case gets to that step. Lawyer fees are separate.
Can I get the $10 federal fee waived?
No. The federal $10 fee cannot be waived, and a fee waiver does not cover it.
Do I need to apply for a fee waiver for each case?
Yes. A waiver must be requested separately for each case, and there is no cost to apply. The form must be sworn or affirmed.
Does a fee waiver pay for my lawyer?
No. It does not cover fees paid to lawyers, mediators or transcriptionists, and it does not cover costs a court orders you to pay another party. If you have a lawyer paid by a Legal Aid Certificate, that can make you eligible for a waiver.
Sources
- Ontario.ca – Family court fees — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – File family court documents online — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – Have your court fees waived — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – File family court documents online — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – File a joint divorce application online — ontario.ca
- Superior Court of Justice – Steps in a family case — ontariocourts.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
This is a family law question
Start a file online — flat, published fees, reviewed by a licensed lawyer before a dollar is owed.