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Canadian divorce certificate attestation is what you need when a UAE court, a marriage officer or a visa office asks you to prove that a Canadian marriage has ended. The certificate of divorce comes from the provincial superior court that granted the divorce. It is apostilled in Canada, attested by the UAE Embassy in Ottawa and completed with MOFA attestation.
Price: from AED 1,900 plus VAT, 4 to 6 weeks, all official fees and courier included. See attestation fees.
Which court issues your divorce certificate
Divorce in Canada falls under the federal Divorce Act, but the paperwork is handled by the superior court of each province. You order the certificate from the same courthouse where your case was filed.
| Province | Court that grants divorces |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Superior Court of Justice |
| British Columbia | Supreme Court of British Columbia |
| Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba | Court of King's Bench |
| Quebec | Superior Court of Quebec |
| Other provinces and territories | the superior court of that province or territory |
The Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings in Ottawa only records divorce applications filed since 2 July 1968. It cannot give you a copy of your divorce certificate. If you have lost track of your court file, it may be able to point you to the right court. Checked on .
In Ontario the document is Form 36B, Certificate of Divorce. You can request it online, at the courthouse or by mail. In British Columbia you ask the Supreme Court registry once 31 days have passed since the divorce order.
Using a Canadian divorce in the UAE
- Remarriage. A court or registrar in the UAE wants proof that you are free to marry. Read more on divorce certificates for remarriage in the UAE.
- Custody and family cases. UAE family courts may ask for the full divorce order with its parenting terms, not only the short certificate.
- Marital status on your visa. A divorced sponsor or dependant may need it to update a residence file.
- Name back to a maiden name. It links a passport in your birth name to records in your married name.
UAE-issued divorce documents follow another route, covered on divorce certificate attestation.
How your court certificate is attested
- Notary Public in Canada. A Canadian notary certifies the court document if the apostille office needs it. Your copy tells us which case applies.
- Apostille. A divorce from Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia or Saskatchewan is apostilled by that province. Divorces from anywhere else go to Global Affairs Canada, formerly DFAT, which charges no fee and is processing requests from about 25 business days earlier, plus 5 to 10 business days of mail.
- UAE Embassy in Ottawa. Booked through the MOFA portal and VFS Global. Payment is online only and the embassy needs at least 3 to 5 business days.
- MOFA UAE. The final attestation in the UAE, valid in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates.
Canada joined the Apostille Convention on 11 January 2024, but the UAE has not. That is why steps 3 and 4 remain.
What to send
- The original certificate of divorce, or the court-certified divorce order if the UAE office wants the full order
- A copy of your passport
- Your court file number, if you have it
- If you plan to remarry in the UAE, your Canadian marriage certificate is sometimes asked for too
Common problems with Canadian divorce papers
- Ordering too early. The certificate only exists once the divorce takes effect. Wait for the court's waiting period to pass.
- Wrong document. A separation agreement is not a divorce. Only the court certificate or order proves it.
- Asking Ottawa for the certificate. The federal registry does not issue one. Go to the court.
- French judgments. Quebec court documents are often in French. Add a legal translation into Arabic or English.
- Divorced outside Canada. A divorce granted in another country follows that country's chain.
Other Canadian documents are listed on Canada certificate attestation.
