1. Figure out if you can file online
Question & Answer
How do I file court forms for my family case online?You can now most family law forms and documents for a family court case online. You can file online if you want to:
- apply for a joint divorce or simple divorce
- start a family court case that deals with family law issues such as , , or
- answer an application that deals with family law issues such as child support, spousal support, or dividing property
- go to a family conference, such as a case conference, settlement conference, or trial management conference
- make or respond to a
- bring a motion to change a final or agreement for things like child support
- file your separation agreement with the court to enforce support
- file documents in a child protection case
- ask for a fee waiver certificate
What cannot be filed online
You cannot file forms and documents online:
- to request an urgent hearing
- for a court date that's 5 business days or less away
- to meet a filing deadline that's 5 business days or less away, as required by family law legislation, the Family Law Rules, or the court's Practice Directions
Depending on your family law issue and the court, you might be able to file your forms and documents by email too. Check the Family Law Rules and the court's orders, Notices and Practice Directions. Or call the court for more information.
If your case is at the Ontario Court of Justice, check the court's website for more information on how to file your documents by email. Each court has its own email address.
If your case is at the Superior Court of Justice, check the court’s website for more information on how to file your documents by email.
In person
If you're not allowed to, or do not want to file your documents online or by email, then you have to file them in person at the courthouse. You have to start your case in a court that:
- Deals with the family law issues you need to resolve. For example, the Ontario Court of Justice doesn't deal with divorces or dividing property.
- Is in the municipality where you or your partner lives. But, if your issues are about or , you usually go to the court in the municipality where your child lives. Decision-making responsibility and parenting time used to be called and .
If you're not sure which court to go to, you can call the family court in your municipality to ask.
