No, divorcing without your spouse’s knowledge is not legally possible in Canada
Under Canadian family law, proper legal notification of divorce proceedings is mandatory. Your spouse must be officially served with divorce papers, a process known as “service of process.” This ensures both parties have:
- Legal awareness of the divorce application
- Opportunity to respond to the proceedings
- Fair chance to participate in legal decisions
- Access to their rights under Canadian divorce law
If your spouse cannot be located, you must demonstrate to the court that you’ve made reasonable efforts to locate them. In such cases, the court may allow alternative service methods or “substituted service.” Working with a qualified family law professional is essential to ensure proper legal procedures are followed throughout the divorce process.