Service area · ON
Process server in Ontario
Routine service in Ontario is from $95 to $185 CAD before GST/HST for one recipient at one address, with every attempt tracked and a sworn affidavit of service in your dashboard.
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Overview of process serving in Ontario
A verified process server near the address in Ontario accepts your job. Every attempt is tracked with the time, GPS location and photos, and the sworn affidavit of service is in your dashboard when the job is done.
Main cities in Ontario: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Windsor, Barrie and Oshawa. Routine service for one recipient at one address is from $95 to $185 CAD before GST/HST. Affidavit of service forms: Form 16B - Superior Court of Justice (civil); Form 8A - Small Claims Court; Form 6B - family proceedings.
Who can serve documents in Ontario
Requirements depend on the court and document
In Small Claims Court, the parties arrange service. A party may serve documents themselves, ask a friend or business associate, hire a private process server, or have a representative arrange service. Ontario Small Claims Court guide: serving documents.
For Family Court, the person serving must be at least 18. A party cannot personally serve documents that require special service; those must be served by an adult friend or family member, or a professional process server. Ontario Family Court guide: serving your documents.
Accepted methods of service
Methods depend on the court, document and any order
For a Small Claims Court Plaintiff’s Claim (Form 7A) or Defendant’s Claim (Form 10A), use personal service or an alternative the rules allow. A residential alternative requires an attempt at personal service first, then a copy in a sealed envelope left with an adult household member, and another copy sent by mail or courier the same or next day. Signed registered-mail or courier service is a separate permitted option for a claim. Ontario Small Claims Court guide · Small Claims Court Rules, Rule 8.
For other Small Claims Court documents, mail, courier, email, personal or alternative service may be available only where Rule 8 permits it and no contrary court order applies. Small Claims Court Rules, Rule 8.
In Family Court, regular service methods include email, mail, courier, fax (up to 20 pages unless the recipient consents or the court orders otherwise), and document exchange. Special service has different options: personal delivery, written acceptance by the recipient’s lawyer, mail with an acknowledgement of service, or delivery to an adult household member followed by another copy by mail. Ontario Family Court guide · Family Law Rules, Rule 6.
Time limits and rules for serving
Deadlines depend on the court and document. In Small Claims Court, a claim must be served within six months after the court issues it; the court may extend that time. A defence must be served and filed within 20 days after service of the claim. Ontario Small Claims Court guide.
In Family Court, applications and motions to change must be served immediately. Motion materials served with notice must be served at least six business days before the motion date. These are examples for those Family Court documents, not general deadlines for every Ontario proceeding. Family Court timelines for serving and filing.
Restrictions on serving
Court- and document-specific limits
Do not substitute a different method simply because personal service is difficult. In Small Claims Court, substituted service requires a court order and is available under Rule 8.04 only when prompt personal service or an allowed alternative is impractical. Rule 8.02 also sets special recipients for corporations, public bodies, minors and people under legal disability. Small Claims Court Rules, Rules 8.02 and 8.04 · Ontario Small Claims Court guide.
For Family Court special-service documents, the separate adult, non-party requirement applies: the party must not serve them personally. Ontario Family Court guide.
Proof of service and affidavit requirements
The required proof depends on the proceeding: Form 8A for Small Claims Court, Form 6B for Family Court, and Form 16B in civil proceedings. The proof records details such as when, where and how service happened and who was served. In Small Claims and Family Court, the person who served the documents completes and swears or affirms the proof; filing timing depends on that proceeding. Small Claims Court guide · Family Court guide · Divisional Court guide: proof of service · Ontario court forms: civil · Small Claims Court forms · Family Law Rules forms.
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the current form and filing requirements with the court or a lawyer or paralegal.
Main cities in Ontario
- Toronto
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Ottawa
- Hamilton
- London
- Kitchener-Waterloo
- Windsor
- Barrie
- Oshawa
Pricing for Ontario
From $95 to $185 CAD before GST/HST for one recipient at one address. That is the total range in Canadian dollars: the process server's fee plus the flat service fee. GST/HST for the province of the service address is added at checkout as its own line. The request form shows the total range before you submit, and the exact price once a process server accepts. More than one address is priced per address.
- Routine serviceOne recipient at one address, up to three attempts, the flat service fee included
- $95–$185 CAD
- RushPriority speed; the process server sets it inside this range
- +$40–$75
- Same-dayFirst attempt the same day; the process server sets it inside this range
- +$75–$125
- Another person at the same addressServed at the same visit, with their own affidavit
- +$40–$60
- Mailed original affidavitOptional; PDF remains included
- +$25
- Printing beyond shared request allowanceThe first 15 printed pages are shared once across everyone in one request
- $0.30 per additional page after the 15-page shared allowance
Affidavit of service
Affidavit of service forms
- Form 16B
- Superior Court of Justice (civil)
- Form 8A
- Small Claims Court
- Form 6B
- family proceedings
The process server completes the affidavit, has it sworn (or affirmed) before a commissioner for taking affidavits and uploads it. You receive the sworn copy in your dashboard and by email.
Court forms and rules change - check with the court or a lawyer or paralegal.
Ontario FAQs
Can every Ontario court document be served by email?
No. It depends on the court, the document, the applicable service rule and any court order. For example, Family Court distinguishes regular service from special service, while Small Claims Court Rule 8 controls which methods are available for each document. Family Court service guide · Small Claims Court Rules.
What if personal service does not work?
Use only an alternative authorized for that proceeding and document. In Small Claims Court, substituted service requires a court order; Rule 8.04 addresses when the court may order it. Small Claims Court Rules, Rule 8.04.
How long do I have to serve a claim?
For a Small Claims Court claim, the cited guide says service is due within six months after issuance, subject to a possible court extension. Other documents and proceedings have different timelines. Ontario Small Claims Court guide.
Request service · ON
Request service in Ontario
Upload your documents and enter the address. You see the price before you submit and pay only after a verified server near the address accepts.
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