FAQ’s

What if I don’t know where the divorce took place?

If you do not know the exact court location of a divorce filed in Canada and you are trying to find divorce papers, need a divorce certificate or divorce judgment, or to locate any other divorce documents, a full search of the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings in Ottawa must be conducted.

Please visit our Central Divorce Registry Search page.

Why do I need a Divorce Certificate?

The Divorce Certificate is proof that you are legally divorced. The most common reason why a Divorce Certificate is required would be to obtain a Marriage Licence. All provinces in Canada require a Divorce Certificate or a Certified Copy of Decree Absolute to remarry. Other reasons why you might need a Divorce Certificate include immigration, banking or pension splitting.

What information does a Divorce Certificate contain?

A Divorce Certificate contains the court file number, court location, full names of the divorced parties, date of marriage, date the divorce took effect. The document is originally signed and/or sealed by an official of the Court in which the divorce was granted.

How do I obtain a Divorce Certificate where the divorce took place outside of Canada?

A Divorce Certificate is issued from the jurisdiction in which the divorce was granted. You will need to contact the appropriate Court Office in that jurisdiction.

Definitions

Divorce Certificate (also known as Certificate of Divorce)

The Divorce Certificate is proof that you have been legally divorced and are free to remarry. The Divorce Order (Divorce Judgment) is not proof that you are legally divorced because there is usually a 31 day waiting period after the divorce has been granted before it will take effect. The Court will not issue a Divorce Certificate until the waiting period has elapsed and the divorce has taken effect.

Decree Absolute

When the Divorce Act (Canada) took effect in 1985, the Decree Absolute became known as the Divorce Order (Divorce Judgment). The Courts will not issue a Divorce Certificate for a Decree Absolute. Instead, the Courts will issue a Certified Copy of the Decree Absolute.

Certified Copy of the Decree Absolute

When the Divorce Act (Canada) took effect in 1985, the Certified Copy of the Decree Absolute became known as the Divorce Certificate. Divorces granted prior to 1986 will be issued a Certified Copy of the Decree Absolute. The Court will not issue a Divorce Certificate for these divorces.

Divorce Order (also known as Divorce Judgment)

A Divorce Order, or Divorce Judgment as it is called in some provinces, is an order from the Court that says that two people are divorced from each other. In most cases the divorce becomes effective on the 31st day after the date of the judgment, unless either person appeals.

Divorce Decree

Same as Divorce Order (Divorce Judgment) and Decree Absolute.