Your case can't move forward until you give your partner the documents you had issued by the court. This is called serving your partner.
You have to give your partner a copy of your documents so they know that you've started a case against them. This gives them a chance to respond to what you've written and tell their side of the story.
You also have to give your partner the blank forms that the court clerk gave you to give them, and their Mandatory Information Program (MIP) notice.
Your partner fills out their forms in response to your documents. They will agree or disagree with the orders you're asking for, give their version of the history of your relationship, and can make claims (or ask for things) of their own.
The first time you serve your partner it has to be by special service, but you can't give your partner your documents directly. Serve your documents below explains how to do this.
You may also have to serve any other person or agency that is connected to what your case is about. For example, if you're asking for child support or spousal support and you're getting or you've got social benefits like Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program, the Ministry of Community and Social Services needs to know about your case. Serve your documents on the Ministry of Community and Social Services below explains how to do this.
See Count time below to understand how to calculate days or time correctly. This is important because court staff may not accept your documents if you haven't followed the rules.
Next step:
File your documents in courtPrevious step:
Get your Application issued