Binding official source Law / rule

Children’s Law Reform Act

Government of Ontario

Source sectionChildren’s Law Reform Act

Source checked2026-08-08

Related explanation

Substantive

Parentage

Court: Ontario family courts — court-specific procedure may differ

Legal parentage determines who is recognized as a parent for legal purposes and can affect parenting, support, registration and other family-law rights and obligations.

Ontario’s Children’s Law Reform Act contains rules for determining parentage, including situations involving birth, assisted reproduction and declarations of parentage. Parentage is distinct from parenting time and decision-making responsibility: a person can be a legal parent without having a particular parenting schedule, and some non-parents can have contact without becoming legal parents.

A parentage dispute may require evidence about the circumstances of conception or birth, statutory presumptions, agreements relating to assisted reproduction or genetic testing where legally relevant. The correct legal route depends on the kind of declaration or order being requested.

Source summary

What this source covers

Ontario’s Children’s Law Reform Act contains provincial law concerning parentage and parenting orders outside the Divorce Act framework.

For exact wording, dates, exceptions and current requirements, read the original source. Binding law and court directions take priority over explanatory material.

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Law and rules

Related official provisions

Binding law / official textToronto Region Practice Direction

Part III — of the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 sets out the procedure and filing requirements for an application to appoint one or more guardians of an incapable adult. Part III of the Children’s Law Reform Act sets out the procedure and filing requirements for an application to appoint one or more guardians of a minor. In addition, the general requirements of Rule 38 governing applications apply to applications to appoint guardians.

Subject to paragraph 30 below, an application for the appointment of a guardian under the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 or the Children’s Law Reform Act should be commenced by filing a notice of application using the Ontario Courts Public Portal or in person at the Toronto Estates Office counter. In the Estates List Confirmation Form , applicants should advise the court of the expected length of time required for the application to be heard, which should not be less than 30 minutes, and whether the application is opposed or unopposed. If an individual is alleged to be incapable of managing property, and a claim for damages for personal injury is contemplated or a personal injury action has been commenced but not resolved, a guardianship application in respect of such individual may be brought on the Estates List.…

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Toronto

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Binding law / official textFamily Law Rules

Rule 21 — REPORT OF CHILDREN’S LAWYER

21. Report of Children’s Lawyer

Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99

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Binding law / official textFamily Law Rules

Rule 37.1 — FAMILY LAW ACT PROVISIONAL ORDERS

37.1 Family Law Act provisional orders

Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99

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Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings

Rule 1.3 — of the Family Law Rules requires a member of the public to give 10 days’ written notice to the parties before the member of the public may access a family court file involving:

Decision-making responsibility, parenting time or contact with respect to a child under the Divorce Act or Part III of the Children’s Law Reform Act ; Orders under Part I of the Children’s Law Reform Act (parentage); or International child abduction. The member of the public must also send notice to the Children’s Lawyer if the Children’s Lawyer is representing a child in the case or conducting an investigation for the court. After receiving notice, a party who wishes to restrict access to the file has 10 days to file a 14B motion. If such a motion is brought, court staff may refuse the requested access until the court decides the motion. Before the member of the public is granted access to the file, they must file an affidavit (Form 14A) confirming 1) the date on which they gave notice under Rule 1.3, to whom and by what method; and 2) that they have not been served with a motion for a restricted access order. The following persons are exempt from the notice requirement under Family Court Rule 1.3: A party or their counsel;…

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — province-wide

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Binding law / official textCentral West Region Practice Direction

Rule 13 — (3.1) of the Family Law Rules sets out which documents MUST be included with a Financial Statement where child or spousal support has been sought. An updated Certificate of Financial Disclosure must be provided to the other party.

A party who has not made all reasonable efforts to comply with their disclosure obligations may be subject to a cost sanction, directions/terms imposed and/or the adjournment of any motion brought by that party until compliance. In egregious cases, upon motion, continued non-compliance may result in a party’s pleadings being struck or found in contempt of Court. C. Motions to Change The Family Law Rules direct the Court to determine the next steps in a Motion to Change, with a view to ensuring that these motions proceed in the most efficient manner appropriate in the circumstances. The Court is directed to determine the most appropriate process for reaching an expeditious and just conclusion of the case in the circumstances. A new Motion to Change Endorsement form is available here. Parties are encouraged to provide a draft Motion to Change Endorsement form with their materials for the first judicial conference to obtain early direction regarding the most appropriate process for the case.…

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Central West

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Binding law / official textCentral South Region Practice Direction

Part 7 — : Binding JDR — Rule 43 of the Family Law Rules

Binding JDR is available in appropriate cases throughout the Central South Region. Please review Rule 43 of the Family Law Rules and the Consolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings for more information on Binding JDR and the forms that are required. Email Addresses to file Binding JDR Confirmations: Hamilton Family Court Trial Coordination Office: Hamilton.Family.Superior.Court@ontario.ca Kitchener Trial Coordination Office: Kitchener.Superior.Court@ontario.ca St. Catharines Trial Coordination Office: St.Catharines.Superior.Court@ontario.ca Welland Trial Coordination Office: Welland.Superior.Court@ontario.ca Brantford Trial Coordination Office: BrantfS@ontario.ca Cayuga Trial Coordination Office: Cayuga.Superior.Court@ontario.ca Simcoe Trial Coordination Office: Simcoe.Superior.Court@ontario.ca Help from Legal Aid Ontario: 1-800-668-8258 Lawyers across Ontario who provide unbundled legal services: www.familylawlss.ca

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Central South

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Related subjects:Rules and legislation · Parenting and support · Adoption and parentage