Are you trying to prove your marital status for a new marriage, a benefits update, a name change, or to update legal, government, employment, or financial records after divorce proceedings? In Ontario, a Certificate of Divorce (often requested using Form 36B) is typically issued by the court that granted your divorce order.
In this article, we’ll walk through the application process: online requests (where available), mail-in application options, and what you’ll need.
This is general information, not legal advice. If your situation involves urgent safety, domestic abuse, or complex property issues, we recommend speaking with our family law team, so your next steps fit your reality and your court file.
Divorce Certificate in Ontario: Divorce Order, Timing, and Court Files
Before you can get a Certificate of Divorce, you need the court to grant a divorce order. A divorce takes effect after the 31st day following the judge signing the divorce order, and only after that can you request the certificate from the Superior Court of Justice.
What a Divorce Certificate Proves
A divorce certificate is proof that your marriage legally ended under the Divorce Act (federal law). It’s commonly requested for:
- remarriage (new marriage licensing requirements)
- updating government and employer records (marital status)
- immigration or travel documentation scenarios (case-by-case)
- financial institutions or insurance record updates
- resolving “paperwork loose ends” tied to court files
In Ontario, divorce certificates are handled through the Ontario Courts system and the court that issued your divorce order (often the Superior Court of Justice for divorce). If you’re unsure which court processed the file, the CRDP is the most practical starting point.
At RPB Law, we help you pinpoint the right courthouse and prepare a clean, court-ready request, so you get the Certificate of Divorce with fewer delays, rejected submissions, or back-and-forth with court staff.
What Do You Need to Request a Certificate of Divorce?
The core requirements to get a divorce certificate in Ontario are:
- a copy of your divorce order
- a completed Form 36B: Certificate of Divorce
- the $25 court fee (payment methods depend on how you apply; cheques/money orders are often payable to the Minister of Finance)
Key Details That Prevent Delays
To avoid a rejected request or back-and-forth with the court house office, prepare:
- court file number/case file number
- names used during the divorce case (including name changes, if any)
- the court location (the specific courthouse)
- date of divorce order, and the date the divorce took effect (often 31 days later)
Marriage Certificate vs Divorce Certificate
A marriage certificate proves a marriage happened; a Certificate of Divorce proves it ended. If you are still in the divorce application phase (not just requesting records), you typically must file the original marriage certificate with the court for a divorce order.
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How to Get Your Divorce Certificate in Ontario Online
Many people prefer an online route because it reduces travel time to an Ontario courthouse. You can apply online through Ontario’s online family services portal (where available), and you’ll need your case details and payment method.
Online Application Process
The online process typically looks like this:
- Sign in to My Ontario Account
- Select the option to file/request documents for an existing family case
- Submit the completed Form 36B and any required supporting document(s)
- Pay the application fee (the $25 certificate fee)
- Submit and keep your confirmation/reference details
How to Get a Divorce Certificate by Mail in Ontario
If you can’t get to a courthouse, you can write the court office and include:
- your request
- a $25 cheque payable to the Minister of Finance
- a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage
Mail-In Application Tips
Common delay triggers include:
- missing court file number
- no payment enclosed or incorrect payee
- unclear mailing address/no return envelope
- requesting the certificate before the divorce takes effect
How to Get a Divorce Certificate In Person
If you apply in person, you typically attend the court house that holds the file (the court that issued the divorce order). In-person applicants can pay the $25 fee by methods such as cash or card (payable to the Minister of Finance). Payment methods can vary by court and application method, but Ontario lists options such as Mastercard, Visa, debit card, cheque, or money order. Confirm accepted payment methods with the court office before attending.
Identification Documents and Practical Proof
Some court counters may ask for identification documents or enough information to match you to the file. Even where ID is not strictly required, having it reduces friction, especially if names changed after the divorce case.
Don’t Know Which Court Granted Your Divorce? Use the CRDP (Central Registry)
If you don’t remember which Ontario courthouse handled your divorce (or your paperwork is lost), you can contact the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings (CRDP) to help locate where the divorce was processed.
What the CRDP Typically Needs
Justice Canada lists practical identifiers to have ready:
- full names and dates of birth for both spouses
- the date you married
Court Files, Divorce Records, and Proof
Once you know the right court location, you can request the Certificate of Divorce from that court office with the correct court file number trail, avoiding delays.
Unsure Where to Start? Book a Confidential Consultation
Related Family Law Documents People Confuse With a Divorce Certificate
A lot of “divorce certificate” confusion comes from overlapping terms:
- Divorce order: a court order that grants divorce; it comes before the certificate
- Separation Agreement: private contract; not the same as a divorce order
- other court forms connected to divorce applications (for example, some divorces involve affidavit evidence and procedural documents, depending on the track)
Forms You May See in Divorce Proceedings
Depending on your situation, you may encounter:
- Form 36B (Certificate of Divorce request form)
- divorce application checklists and filing guidance (especially for a simple divorce)
Complex Files: Children’s Issues and Property Issues
Where divorces include custody and access, parenting, or property claims, your file may also intersect with Ontario family law statutes (for example, the Family Law Act and Children’s Law Reform Act) even if the divorce itself flows under the federal Divorce Act. This is one reason a “simple certificate request” can become complicated if your record history is messy or disputed.
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When It’s Smart to Get Legal Help for a Divorce Certificate in Ontario
Sometimes the certificate is easy; sometimes it’s a symptom of a bigger file-management issue:
- You can’t locate the court
- You don’t have a court file number
- Your divorce order date is unclear
- Your name changed, and the records don’t match
- You’re dealing with safety, harassment, or contested steps that overlap criminal legal issues
How We Help as a Family Law Team
As a family law team, we focus on getting you the fastest, clean result:
- locate the proper issuing court (often via CRDP where needed)
- prepare a correct Form 36B request package
- ensure payment method and payee align to the required path (online vs mail vs in person)
- troubleshoot timing (making sure the divorce has taken effect)
Certificate of Divorce in Ontario | FAQs
How long after my divorce order can I get the certificate?
In many cases, the divorce takes effect on the 31st day after the judge signs the divorce order (assuming no appeal issues), and the certificate is generally available after that effective date.
Can I request Form 36B before day 31?
You can prepare the paperwork, but the certificate can only be issued on or after the effective date.
How much is a divorce certificate in Ontario?
Steps to Justice states the court fee is $25 for the divorce certificate.
Who do I make the cheque or money order payable to?
For mail or in-person payment by cheque/money order, Steps to Justice states it is payable to the Minister of Finance.
What if I don’t have my court file number?
If you’re unsure which court processed the divorce, the CRDP may help you identify where the divorce proceeding was registered. The certificate itself must still be requested from the court office that issued the divorce order.
Is my divorce certificate a public record?
Divorce records are court records, but access and copy requests are governed by court rules and procedures. The parties can generally request a Certificate of Divorce from the court that issued the divorce order, and other requests may depend on the document type and the court’s requirements.
