Online Divorce in Ontario: Filing Through the Court Portal

Many people search for an online divorce hoping they can finish everything from a laptop. In Ontario, you can file many of the court documents electronically, but a court still has to grant the divorce.

This article explains what can be filed online, how the portal depends on your region, what the main fees are, and what happens after you click submit.

Can a divorce really be done online?

Partly. Simple and joint divorce applications can be filed online with an Ontario.ca login. Your documents must be completed, signed and dated, and saved as PDF or Word files.

A simple divorce application is for divorce only. No other claim, such as support or property, can be made in it. Either spouse may start a divorce case by filing an application naming the other spouse as respondent, or the spouses can file a joint application with no respondent. In a joint application, the divorce and any other order can be made only with the consent of both spouses.

Which portal you use

The system depends on where your case is. From October 14, 2025, all online filings for the Toronto region must go through the Ontario Courts Public Portal, while Family Submissions Online is still available for family cases in other regions. A case starts in the municipality where a party lives, subject to the Courts of Justice Act.

There are also limits. You cannot file online to request an urgent hearing, or if your court date or legislated deadline is three business days or less away. In those situations, ask the court office how to file.

To use the Ontario court, at least one spouse generally needs a connection to Ontario: either spouse must have been habitually resident in Ontario for at least one year immediately before the proceeding starts. Only one spouse needs to meet this.

Documents and fees

The court cannot grant a divorce until a marriage certificate or marriage registration certificate is filed, unless the application explains why it is impractical to file one. It also needs a report on earlier divorce cases started by either spouse, issued under the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings Regulations.

Online fees are paid by Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard or Debit Mastercard. Court fees change from time to time, so confirm the current amounts before you file.

What happens after you file

Filing is only the start. An application must be specially served, by someone other than the party who has to serve it. Special service methods include leaving a copy with the person, mail with a signed Form 6 acknowledgment postcard, or leaving a copy at the residence and mailing another copy. Documents must be served before they are filed with the court, and proof of service must then be filed.

• A respondent must serve and file an answer within 30 days after being served, or 60 days if served outside Canada and the United States.
• If there is no answer and no request for more time, the applicant can take steps toward an uncontested trial, decided on the applicant's evidence alone.
• If your spouse cannot be served in the usual way, the court may order substituted service. If reasonable efforts to locate them have failed and no substituted method is likely to work, the court may order that service is not required.
• If an answer is filed, the case becomes contested and a judge must hold at least one conference.

In an uncontested case, an affidavit in Form 36 must also be filed. The applicant files it if the respondent files no answer or withdraws it, and in a joint application the applicants file it.

What to do next

A divorce takes effect on the 31st day after the day the judgment is made. After that, the clerk checks the record for appeals at either party's request and, if satisfied, issues a divorce certificate in Form 36B.

• Decide whether your case is divorce only, or whether you also need to resolve support, property or parenting.
• Gather your marriage certificate and your Ontario.ca login details.
• Check which portal applies to your region.
• Arrange service by someone other than you.
• Remember that most parties in family cases must attend a Mandatory Information Program no later than 45 days after the case is started.
• Speak to a lawyer if children, property or pensions are involved.

Frequently asked questions