How To Fill Out a Form 8A

After some time of thinking it over and making preparations, you and your partner have decided to divorce. That decision, as difficult and emotional as it may be, is a big first step. But you both want to do this efficiently and as painlessly as possible. You’re on the same page, and that can make a world of difference. This is where knowing how to fill out Form 8A becomes really helpful.

Form 8A is used in Ontario when you’re applying for a simple divorce, either alone or jointly with your spouse. A simple divorce is just that - it means you're asking the court only for a divorce, with no extra orders about parenting, child support, or property. It’s the cleanest route if you’re in agreement, and it can save you both a lot of time and stress.

Do You Even Need Form 8A?

First things first: Is Form 8A even the right form for your situation?

The good news is, this question is answered clearly and in plain language at Steps to Justice, a fantastic resource created by CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario). It's always worth confirming before you begin.

Now, you might be wondering: “Does having kids impact my ability to apply for a simple divorce?” The short answer is no—but there’s a little more to it, which I’ll explain shortly.

Use CLEO’s Guided Pathway - It’s a Game Changer

How to Fill Out a Form 8A

You can fill out Form 8A on your own from scratch, but I’ll be honest: unless you’re a lawyer, that’s probably not the best idea. Instead, I highly recommend using CLEO’s Guided Pathway for Form 8A. It walks you through every step with clear explanations.

I actually did the process myself just to test it and I have to say, it was incredibly thorough in the best possible way. It explained everything: what was needed, why it was needed, and even gave helpful definitions along the way.

You’ll be asked whether you’re filing on your own or making a joint application with your spouse. Personally, I chose the joint route, thinking it might be more complex, but it turned out to be just as manageable thanks to CLEO’s walkthrough.

What If You Have Kids?

The guided pathway will ask if you have children. In my case, I answered yes.

Then it asked if I had concerns about the safety of the children, and I was grateful this was included; it shows how seriously the system takes family safety. I answered no.

Then came a checklist confirming I met the requirements for a joint divorce. One of those was having a plan for the financial support of the children. (That’s a topic we’ll dig into more deeply in a separate blog post.)

Even if you’re in a hurry, I don’t recommend rushing through the checklist like I did. (I clicked “yes” to everything just to move on, but please take your time. These boxes matter.)

Choosing What the Court Provides

Next, you’ll be asked: What do you want the court to do?

You get two choices:

• A divorce only

• A divorce and other things (such as spousal support or dividing property)

  
  

I chose “divorce and other things” just in case. It’s okay if you’re not 100% sure what to pick; CLEO provides explanations to help you decide.

Then you move on to inputting your basic details: your name, your partner’s name, your kids’ names. Thankfully, it’s all pretty straightforward and familiar information.

Submitting to the Right Court

One part that trips people up is figuring out which court to file your divorce in. If you’re unsure, it’s always a good idea to contact your local Family Law Information Centre (FLIC). They can guide you on what jurisdiction applies to your case.

But if you already know, simply input that court info into the system.

Once you finish the form, CLEO’s tool generates all the documents you need—pre-filled with your answers. You can download them, review everything, and make sure it all looks right before you file.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This

So that’s how you fill out Form 8A. Honestly, it’s one of the more straightforward family law forms out there. But that doesn’t mean you need to do it alone—or that you should.

There are nuances to it. And if you want another set of eyes, someone to talk things through with, or just reassurance that you’re on the right track, we’re here to help.

Book a session with Alliston Resolutions. We’ll walk through it together with clarity, compassion, and no judgment.

Source: CLEO Guided Pathways – Simple or Joint Divorce (Form 8A)