Ontario Divorce Certificate: How to Get One After Your Divorce Order

Your judge signed the Divorce Order. The marriage is over — except it isn't, not yet. Ontario requires a mandatory 31-day appeal window before your divorce becomes legally final, and the court does not automatically mail you a Certificate of Divorce. You have to request it yourself.

Here is exactly how the process works, what it costs, and how long it takes.

Divorce Order vs. Divorce Certificate: What's the Difference?

A Divorce Order (Form 25A) is the judge's signed decision dissolving the marriage. It is not proof that the divorce is final.

A Certificate of Divorce (Form 36B) is the official court document confirming your divorce took legal effect. You need it to remarry, update your passport, and complete several post-divorce administrative steps.

The divorce becomes effective on the 31st day after the judge signs the order, provided no appeal has been filed. Only then can you apply for the certificate.

The 31-Day Appeal Window

Under the federal Divorce Act, either spouse can appeal the Divorce Order within 30 days of the signing date. The marriage remains legally intact during this period.

If no appeal is filed, the divorce takes effect automatically on day 31. You do not need to do anything during this waiting period — just wait.

If an appeal is filed, the divorce is frozen until the appeal is resolved. This is rare in uncontested cases but can happen.

How to Request Your Certificate of Divorce

Once the 31-day window has passed:

1. Contact the court where your divorce was filed — this is the Superior Court of Justice branch that issued the Divorce Order
2. Submit a request for a Certificate of Divorce (Form 36B) either in person at the court office or through Justice Services Online
3. Pay the court fee of CA$25
4. Receive the certificate — processing times vary by courthouse, typically 2–6 weeks

If you filed a joint application, either spouse can request the certificate independently.

What If You Lost Your Court File Number?

If you cannot locate your original Divorce Order or file number, contact the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings in Ottawa. The registry maintains records of every divorce granted in Canada and can provide your file information for a search fee.

You can also contact the court office where you originally filed. They can look up your case by name and date.

What You Need the Certificate For

The Certificate of Divorce is required for:

• Remarriage — the only document Ontario accepts as proof of marriage dissolution for a new marriage licence
• Federal passport in a restored name — IRCC requires either the certificate or a certified court order
• Some pension division steps — certain administrators require it alongside the separation agreement
• International use — if you need to prove your divorce status in another country

For most post-divorce administrative tasks — name changes, bank account closures, CRA notifications — the Divorce Order itself is sufficient. The certificate adds the layer of finality.

Court Fees at a Glance

Low-income filers receiving Ontario Works or ODSP may qualify for a fee waiver on provincial court fees.

Next Steps After You Receive It

Getting the certificate is just one item on a longer administrative checklist. You still need to update your name on government IDs, close joint bank accounts, split CPP credits, update beneficiary designations, and file CRA notifications — none of which happen automatically.

The Ontario After-Divorce Checklist walks through every post-divorce administrative step in order, with the exact forms, fees, and timelines for each task.

See more Ontario guides →