Divorce files

We hold all Ontario divorce files from 1931 to 1980 and up to 1986 for some counties and districts. You can request to view or order a copy of a divorce file once you have the file number.

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What we have

We hold all Ontario divorce files for 1931 to 1980. We also have divorce files from 1981 to 1986 for some counties and districts.

We also have an index to Ontario divorces granted after June 1949 and started before July 1968.

What’s in a divorce file

Divorce files are comprised of the following records:

  • Decree Nisi: an order that acknowledges that two people are eligible for a divorce. This order will usually have a timeline for the Decree Absolute which will be the final order finalizing the divorce
  • Decree Absolute / Divorce Judgement: the final document declaring two people officially divorced

 

Find a divorce file not in our holdings

Divorces filed before 1931 are available through Library and Archives Canada.

Divorces filed after 1986 are available through the courthouse where the divorce was filed. Some courthouses still hold divorce files from 1981 to the present.

What you need to request a divorce file

To request to view or order a reproduction a divorce file, you need to provide the:

  • file number
  • year the case started
  • courthouse where the divorce took place

Where to find a divorce file number

Divorces started on July 1968 or after

For your own divorce

Contact the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings (CRDP), which is the Canada-wide record of all court divorces since July 1968.

The CRDP will provide you with the:

  • contact information for the courthouse
  • file number of the divorce
  • year the divorce proceedings started

Submit your search request to the CRDP by:

They will not confirm the divorce status or provide legal documents. They may be able to provide you with information about someone else’s divorce if you have their consent or need it to enforce a law.

For someone else’s divorce

You’ll need to consult an index issued by the Supreme Court of Ontario.

Check the divorce files index information table (pdf) to see if we hold the index or find contact information for the courthouse if they still hold it.

Divorces granted between June 1949 and June 1968

You need to search the index created by the courthouse where the divorce was filed.

Check the divorce files index information table (pdf) to see if we have the index or find contact information for the courthouse if they still hold it.

You can also consult a province-wide index (RG 22-5816) in person on microfilm in our Reading Room.

The province-wide index includes the:

  • names of the people getting divorced
  • Decree Absolute application date
  • city where the application was filed
  • application number issued by the court
  • file number (only starting after October 1964)

Divorces from 1931 to May 1949

You will need to consult the courthouse index where the divorce proceedings took place. There is no province-wide index of divorce files for this period.

Check the divorce files index information table (pdf) to see if we have the index or find contact information for the courthouse if they still hold it.

We have some original divorce judgement and procedure books, but most are still with the courthouses.

Submit a request for a divorce file

You can request to view a divorce file in person or order digital or print reproductions.

Before submitting, make sure you have the following information ready:

  • file number
  • courthouse
  • year divorce started

Personal information provided to the Archives through order forms or through email, phone or mail enquiry is collected under the authority of the Archives and Recordkeeping Act (2006) Chapter 34, Schedule A.  We only collect personal information that is necessary to address your inquiries or service requests, in accordance with section 38(2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.  Personal information will be used only for the purpose of responding to enquiries and service requests, for statistical analysis and to send you surveys to solicit feedback that will help us improve the ways in which we engage with you. Contact us if you have questions or comments about anything in this Privacy Statement.

Request a divorce file

Get research help

We can point you to resources to help you with your research. Contact us.

For professional research help, we have a list of private companies and freelance researchers who can do your research for you.