In Ontario, divorce papers must be served through personal service or alternative approved methods
Serving divorce papers in Ontario requires following specific legal procedures to ensure valid delivery. The most common and preferred method is personal service, where someone over 18 years old (not yourself) hand-delivers the documents directly to your spouse.
If personal service isn’t possible, the court may allow alternative methods:
- Registered mail with signature confirmation
- Licensed process server professional services
- Substituted service through a court order (e.g., serving a family member)
- Service by courier with tracking and signature
After service is complete, you’ll need a sworn Affidavit of Service as proof for the court that documents were properly delivered. This affidavit must be filed with the court to proceed with your divorce application.