It depends on where and how it was granted. Canada generally recognizes a foreign divorce if at least one spouse had a real and substantial connection to the country that granted it. An opinion letter can confirm whether your foreign divorce is valid in Canada, and a lawyer can assess your situation before you rely on it here.

Usually, yes. ServiceOntario typically requires a foreign divorce opinion letter from Ontario before issuing a marriage licence to someone whose previous divorce was granted abroad. The letter, signed by a licensed Ontario lawyer, confirms that your previous marriage is properly dissolved, allowing you to proceed with the new marriage.

It depends on two stages, and planning ahead matters. Once we have your divorce certificate, any certified translation, and proof of your connection to the foreign country, preparing the opinion letter itself is usually straightforward. However, after the letter is submitted, the Office of the Registrar General typically takes four to six weeks to review the application before issuing clearance to apply for a marriage licence. For this reason, we strongly recommend starting the process three to four months before your wedding date to avoid any delays. 

The fee depends on the complexity of your situation, particularly how clear-cut the jurisdictional connection is. At your consultation, once we've reviewed your documents, we'll give you a clear sense of the cost for foreign divorce recognition in Ontario, so there are no surprises before you proceed.