Filing for divorce in Northwest Territories without an attorney costs CAD $200 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 1 year in NWT. Northwest Territories is a equitable distribution state with a 1 year separation waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 3-5 months (after separation). Victoria AI guides you through every step with Northwest Territories-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | CAD $200 (The court filing fee is approximately CAD $200 for a divorce application. This is among the lower fees in Canada. Fee waivers available.) |
| Residency Requirement | 1 year in NWT |
| Waiting Period | 1 year separation |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (fair, not equal) |
| Grounds for Divorce | 1 year separation (no-fault), Adultery, Mental or physical cruelty |
| No-Fault Only? | No (fault grounds available) |
| Uncontested Timeline | 3-5 months (after separation) |
| Contested Timeline | 1-2 years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in Northwest Territories, you must meet the following residency requirement: 1 year in NWT.
At least one spouse must have been ordinarily resident in the Northwest Territories for at least 1 year immediately before starting the divorce. Filed in the Supreme Court of the NWT.
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Northwest Territories's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in Northwest Territories without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
At least one spouse must have been ordinarily resident in the Northwest Territories for at least 1 year immediately before starting the divorce. Filed in the Supreme Court of the NWT.
Download the official Northwest Territories divorce forms: Statement of Claim for Divorce, Affidavit, Financial Statement. All forms are available from the Northwest Territories courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (Form 70A) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the Northwest Territories court and pay the filing fee of CAD $200. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Northwest Territories rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Northwest Territories law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
Under the federal Divorce Act, you must live separate and apart for 1 year. Given NWT's small population, courts can often process uncontested matters quickly.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Northwest Territories, this typically takes 3-5 months (after separation). The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Northwest Territories. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
Initiates the divorce
Sworn statement of facts
Financial disclosure
Final decree
The filing fee to start a divorce in Northwest Territories is CAD $200. The court filing fee is approximately CAD $200 for a divorce application. This is among the lower fees in Canada. Fee waivers available.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | CAD $200 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | CAD $400-$1,500 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Northwest Territories offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in Northwest Territories, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Northwest Territories courts are strict about service requirements.
Northwest Territories is a equitable distribution state.
NWT's Family Law Act provides for equal division of family property. Assets acquired during the relationship are shared equally. Pre-relationship property and gifts may be excluded.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Northwest Territories law applies to your specific property.
Northwest Territories uses the Federal Child Support Guidelines.
NWT uses the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The Maintenance Enforcement Program ensures support orders are paid.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Northwest Territories divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the CAD $200 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
1 year separation - Under the federal Divorce Act, you must live separate and apart for 1 year. Given NWT's small population, courts can often process uncontested matters quickly.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
Small population means faster processing
Supreme Court of NWT jurisdiction
Circuit court serves remote communities
Maintenance Enforcement Program
Legal Aid available for qualifying residents
Indigenous family law considerations
Common questions about filing for divorce in Northwest Territories without an attorney.
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Northwest Territories-specific forms
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Financial disclosure wizard
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Child support calculator
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