Family Court Documents and Divorce Papers, Windsor

Why family files need someone else to serve

Ontario's Family Law Rules call personal service "special service," made by leaving a copy with the person. For certain documents, including an application and a motion to change, special service "shall be carried out by a person other than the party required to serve the document." The rules also say no one under 18 may serve a document. There are exceptions, so check the rule or ask your lawyer before assuming it does or does not apply to you.

Service is proved with an affidavit of service (Form 6B), sworn by the person who served. That is what we provide.

Serving divorce papers in Windsor

An Ontario divorce case usually starts with an Application (Divorce), Form 8A under the Family Law Rules. It needs special service, so the spouse who starts the case cannot hand it over personally; Ontario's guide to family court procedures says a friend or relative aged 18 or older, or a professional process server, can do it. Once the papers are served, the server swears an Affidavit of Service (Form 6B) for you to file.

In Windsor, divorce cases are heard by the Superior Court of Justice at 245 Windsor Ave.; Windsor is not one of Ontario's 25 Family Court branch locations. Most family documents, including a divorce application, can be filed online through Family Submissions Online. We serve other family documents, such as a motion to change, the same careful way.

How we serve family court documents

We identify the person, hand over the documents and leave. We do not discuss your case with them.
Up to three attempts at different times of day, with an email to you after each showing the time, GPS location and a photo.
Printing of 2 copies of up to 25 pages each. Over 25 pages: $0.25 per extra page per copy.
The mailed copy: where the court rules allow it and the papers are left with an adult at the home, the second copy is mailed the same day and recorded in the affidavit. No secondary mail fee.
A sworn Form 6B affidavit, emailed to you and ready to file.

If there are safety concerns, such as a restraining order, tell us before we go so we can plan the attempt. If you are in danger, call 911.

Family court locations in the region

Windsor courthouse, 245 Windsor Ave., Windsor N9A 1J2. Ontario's court listing shows civil, criminal, enforcement, family and small claims offices here, phone 519-973-6620, counter service Monday to Friday 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.
Ontario Court of Justice, 200 Chatham St. E., Windsor N9A 2W3, listed for criminal, youth and family matters (family line 519-973-6670).
Leamington courthouse, 7 Clark St. W., Leamington N8H 1E5. Ontario's court listing shows criminal, youth, family and small claims services here (small claims 519-973-6620, family 519-973-6670); call ahead for hours.

We do not give legal advice, choose forms or fill them out. For that, speak with a family lawyer or the court's family law information services.

Documents we serve

Family court documents we serve, named as the Family Law Rules forms name them:

Application (General) (Form 8)
Application (Divorce) (Form 8A)
Motion to Change (Form 15)
Notice of Motion (Form 14) and Affidavit (General) (Form 14A)
Financial Statement (Form 13 or Form 13.1)
Summons to Witness (Form 23)

See the full list of documents we serve, grouped by court. Not on it? If it needs to be handed to someone in Windsor or Essex County, ask us.

Price

Standard service, Windsor city limits Up to 3 attempts, email after each, 2 printed copies, mailed copy, sworn affidavit	$140
Rush service, Windsor city limits First attempt within 24 hours	$190
Same-day / emergency Order by 2:00 pm	$210
More attempts After the first 3	We quote first
Additional recipient Same address, same visit	+$40

Prices are before HST; tax is shown at checkout.

Prices are set by driving distance from downtown Windsor; the order form shows the exact price for your address.

Rush is the standard rate plus $50. Same-day is a total price, not an add-on.

Outside Windsor city limits, standard service is $160 flat across most of Essex County, mileage included. The Kingsville and Leamington areas, and the rush and same-day prices for each area, are in the full price table.

Sources: Family Law Rules, O. Reg. 114/99 (ontario.ca/laws/regulation/990114); Family Law Rules forms (ontariocourtforms.on.ca); Government of Ontario guide to procedures in family court and court structure page, checked October 2026. More in our guide to who can serve court documents in Ontario.

Questions

Can I serve my own family court application?

The Family Law Rules say special service of certain documents, including an application and a motion to change, must be carried out by someone other than the party. Check the rule or ask your lawyer for your situation.

What proof do I get?

A sworn affidavit of service (Form 6B) from the person who served, ready to file.

Will you talk to my ex about the case?

No. We confirm identity, hand over the documents and leave. We report back to you after each attempt.

Can you serve divorce papers in Windsor?

Yes. We serve divorce applications (Form 8A) and other family court documents anywhere in Windsor and Essex County, and give you the sworn Form 6B affidavit of service, ready to file.

Where we serve

All of Windsor and Essex County: Windsor, LaSalle, Tecumseh, Amherstburg, Lakeshore, Essex, Kingsville, Leamington. Mileage is included everywhere, and the price table has them all.

General information, not legal advice. Rule quotations are from the Ontario regulations linked on this page; forms and rules change, so always check the current version for your court.

Family court documents and divorce papers, served by a neutral third party