Can You File for Divorce Online in Ontario?

Court processes have a reputation for paper — thick binders, wet signatures, trips to a courthouse counter. Divorce is catching up. Depending on where your case is filed, a meaningful part of an Ontario divorce can now be handled electronically, which is welcome news if you'd rather not take time off work for the courthouse.

But filing for divorce online in Ontario doesn't mean the whole process happens on a screen. Some steps still need to happen the traditional way, and getting that wrong is one of the more common ways a straightforward application ends up delayed.

What "Filing Online" Actually Covers

Ontario's Family Law Rules set out the forms and procedural requirements that apply to family cases, including divorce. A growing share of that paperwork — the application itself, supporting affidavits, and related documents — can often be submitted through a court's electronic filing channel rather than dropped off at a counter in person. Exactly what's accepted electronically can vary by courthouse and by document type, so it's worth confirming directly with the court office handling your file before you assume everything can move online.

What Usually Still Needs the Traditional Route

• Serving the other spouse. Formally notifying your spouse of the application generally has to follow an approved method of service — such as personal service or an accepted alternative — rather than simply emailing or texting them the paperwork.
• Original signatures and sworn documents. Affidavits need to be properly signed and sworn or affirmed before someone authorized to take them, which isn't always something an online portal completes end to end.
• Certain supporting originals. Documents like a marriage certificate typically still need to reach the court file in the form the court requires.

Court Fees Apply However You File

Filing electronically doesn't change what you owe. A filing fee applies to the Application for Divorce at the Superior Court of Justice, and a separate federal fee is added to every Canadian divorce application through the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings. As of mid-2026, the Superior Court of Justice application filing fee was $214.00 and the federal registry fee was $10.00 — figures like these are adjusted periodically, so verify the current amount before you rely on it.

If Your Courthouse Doesn't Offer Full Online Filing

Not every family court location has the same electronic capability, and it's common to find that some documents in your case can be filed electronically while others can't. A few practical points help here:

• Ask early, not after you've prepared everything. Confirming what a specific courthouse accepts electronically before you assemble your documents saves you from redoing formatting or resubmitting later.
• Keep both a digital and a print-ready version of everything. If a form can't be submitted online, you'll want a properly printed, signed copy ready to go without delay.
• Don't assume a scanned copy is treated the same as an original. Some documents — particularly sworn affidavits and certain certificates — may still need to reach the court in original form even where the courthouse accepts electronic submissions generally.

A Realistic Step-by-Step

1. Confirm which Superior Court of Justice location has jurisdiction over your case.
2. Prepare the application and supporting affidavit using the current court forms.
3. Submit what the courthouse accepts electronically, and confirm what still needs a physical copy.
4. Arrange proper service on the other spouse, unless you're filing jointly.
5. File proof of service along with any remaining documents.
6. Wait for the file to be reviewed, and respond promptly to any request for more information.

Frequently asked questions