Online filing for Ontario Small Claims Court isn't one single, unchanging system — and it specifically changed in October 2025. If you've seen older information describing a single portal for the whole province, it's worth double-checking against the current, region- specific picture before you rely on it.
Why this changed in October 2025
Effective October 14, 2025, Toronto-region Small Claims Court filings moved to a new system — the Ontario Courts Public Portal — replacing the older online filing option for that region specifically. Other regions of the province generally continue using the previous online filing system. This is exactly the kind of detail worth confirming directly on ontario.ca's own filing page before you start, since the exact cutover details and any further changes are best confirmed at the source.
Toronto: the Ontario Courts Public Portal
For Toronto-region cases, online filings are generally submitted through the Ontario Courts Public Portal. Once a filing is accepted, court staff generally upload it to Case Center — the platform used for scheduling and hearings in this region — and you'll generally register for a Case Center account using the same email address provided on your court documents.
Outside Toronto: Small Claims Court Submissions Online
For Small Claims Court cases outside the Toronto region, the Small Claims Court Submissions Online portal generally continues to be available for filing court documents. A separate system — generally referred to as the Small Claims E-Filing Service Portal — is used specifically for filing a new Plaintiff's Claim. Confirm which system applies to the specific court office handling your case, since this is organized regionally rather than as one province-wide option.
What generally can't be filed online
A few specific situations generally can't go through the online Plaintiff's Claim system and instead need to be filed by mail or in person: requesting a fee waiver at the same time as filing, claiming interest above a certain rate, or where a defendant is under a legal disability. If any of these apply to your situation, plan for an in-person or mail filing rather than assuming the online option will work.
What you'll generally need
- An Ontario.ca account to sign in to the portal.
- A payment card, where a filing fee applies — see filing fees for the current amounts.
- Your court file number, if you're filing into an existing case rather than starting a new one.
- Your documents saved as individual PDF or Word files, ready to upload.
Filing isn't the same as serving
Submitting your claim online only starts the case — it doesn't notify the defendant. You generally still need to serve the defendant yourself within the required time after your claim is issued, and then file proof of that service separately. Treat online filing as step one of several, not the whole process.
Tracking your case afterward
Once your case is underway, how you track its progress generally depends on which system your region uses — a Case Center account for Toronto-region matters, or the relevant regional portal elsewhere. Keep your login details and court file number somewhere you can find them, since you'll likely need both again at later stages of the case.
Frequently asked questions
Which online portal do I use to file a Small Claims Court case?
It depends on the region. As of October 2025, Toronto-region filings generally go through the Ontario Courts Public Portal, while other regions generally continue using Small Claims Court Submissions Online. Confirm the current option for your specific court office before filing.
Can every claim be filed online?
No. A Plaintiff's Claim generally can't be filed through the online portal if you're requesting a fee waiver at the same time, claiming interest above a certain rate, or where a defendant is under a legal disability — these generally need to be filed by mail or in person instead.
Does filing online mean the defendant has been served?
No — filing and serving are two separate steps. Once your claim is issued, you're still generally required to serve the defendant yourself, typically within six months, and file proof of that service separately.
What do I need to file online?
Generally an Ontario.ca account, a payment card if a fee applies, your court file number if you're adding to an existing case, and your documents saved as individual PDF or Word files.