1. Choose the portal for your court region
Toronto and other Ontario regions use different online filing routes. Since October 14, 2025, Toronto uses the Ontario Courts Public Portal. Other regions, including Peel, use the Small Claims Court online services described on Ontario’s filing page. Available services depend on the document and case. Follow the official portal links rather than an old search result or a private filing website.
Check the current instructions for the specific document, fee waiver status and court office. In-person or mail filing may be available. Do not assume an ordinary email to the courthouse is accepted filing. Uploading material to Case Center for a hearing is also separate from filing it with the court.
Official reference: Ontario: file Small Claims Court documents online
2. Prepare an upload that can be accepted
Use current forms, a consistent court file number and full party names. Check signatures, commissioning where required, attachments, readable PDFs, file-size limits and the portal’s naming conventions. Keep each original and the exact submitted version. Avoid unnecessary account numbers, identity documents and other sensitive information; court files may be publicly accessible.
Ontario’s online filing instructions restrict urgent submissions, including an event or filing deadline three business days away or less. If time is short, contact the court for the permitted route. Do not submit the same document through multiple channels without directions.
Official reference: Court: filing for Small Claims Court
3. Budget for court fees and other expenses
Selected court fees checked November 9, 2026 are below, in Canadian dollars. The official fee schedule controls. An infrequent claimant files no more than 10 claims in that court location during the calendar year; the higher claimant fees apply beginning with the 11th claim.
| Step | Infrequent claimant | Frequent claimant |
|---|---|---|
| File a claim | $108 | $228 |
| Request default judgment | $94 | $128 |
| Fix a trial or assessment hearing date | $308 | $403 |
| File a defence | $77 | |
| Common notice of motion | $127 (exceptions apply) | |
These are not the full cost of a case. Service, searches, transcripts, witnesses, representation and enforcement can add expense. A costs award may reimburse only part of your spending.
Official reference: Ontario: current Small Claims Court fees
4. Request a waiver and monitor acceptance
If you cannot afford court fees, check the official fee-waiver eligibility and request process before the fee is due. A waiver can cover qualifying court fees; it does not automatically pay a representative, process server or the opponent’s costs.
A submission receipt is not an acceptance decision. Watch your email, spam folder and portal account. Save the filed or issued copy and confirmation. If rejected, read the reason, correct it promptly and confirm the legal effect on your deadline; do not assume the original upload preserved it.
Official reference: Ontario: court fee waivers
Your next-step checklist
Use this list as you work. Check marks apply to this visit only.
Sources for this guide
Where to go next
Need help with your next step?
Ask about available assistance, scope and fees. Include any urgent court deadline.
General information for Ontario, not advice about your case. Legislation, court orders and current court directions govern. Get help with your situation.