Online Divorce in Ontario: Using the Online Filing Portal

Many people want to start a divorce from home without going to the courthouse. In Ontario, some divorce filings can be done online, but the court's rules about service, supporting documents and timing still apply.

This page explains what can be filed online, how the portal differs by region, and where you may still need to deal with the court directly.

What can be filed online

Simple and joint divorce applications can be filed online with an Ontario.ca login. A simple divorce application is for divorce only, and no other claim such as support or property can be made in it.

Documents must be completed, signed and dated, then saved as PDF or Word files before you upload them. Online fees are paid by Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard or Debit Mastercard.

Which portal you use

The portal depends on the court location. From October 14, 2025, all online filings for the Toronto region must go through the Ontario Courts Public Portal. Family Submissions Online is still available for family cases in other regions.

Because the rules differ by courthouse, check with the court or the Ontario government's family court pages before you start. A family case starts in the municipality where a party lives, subject to the Courts of Justice Act.

What you still need besides the online form

Filing online does not remove the court's requirements. The court cannot grant a divorce until a marriage certificate or marriage registration certificate is filed, and it needs a report on earlier divorce cases started by either spouse. The certificate requirement does not apply if the application explains why it is impractical to file one.

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.

• Marriage certificate or marriage registration certificate, or an explanation of why it is impractical.
• Report on earlier divorce cases, issued under the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings Regulations.
• Form 36 affidavit.
• Completed, signed and dated documents saved as PDF or Word files.
• A way to pay online by an accepted card.

Fees, service and what online filing cannot do

The Ministry of the Attorney General collects a $10 divorce filing fee for the federal Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings. This fee cannot be waived. Other court fees apply as well, and a fee waiver may be available for those, so confirm the current amounts with the court.

If you are not filing jointly, the other spouse must be served. An application must be specially served, by someone other than the party who has to serve it. Documents must be served before they are filed, and proof of service must then be filed.

A respondent must serve and file an answer within 30 days after being served with the application. If the respondent was served outside Canada and the United States, the time is 60 days.

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, contact the court about how to file.

What to do next

• Confirm which region your case belongs in and which portal that region uses.
• Check that you meet the residence and separation requirements before filing.
• Arrange service through someone other than you if your spouse is the respondent.
• After the divorce takes effect, ask the clerk for the divorce certificate in Form 36B if you need proof.

If your situation involves children, support, property or a spouse who cannot be found, a lawyer can explain whether a simple online filing is enough.

Frequently asked questions