How to find court records in your province or territory
Secret Canada has added a step-by-step guide to finding court records across provinces and territories, plus tools to request documents and templates to help you apply.
Copy link
By Torontoer Staff
Secret Canada, a project from The Globe and Mail, has published a new, nationwide guide that explains how to access court records in each province, territory and federal jurisdiction. The resource is available on SecretCanada.com in the resources section.
The guide sets out what kinds of judicial documents Canadians can access, and explains the process for obtaining files such as lawsuits, small claims records, bankruptcy filings and daily dockets. It complements Secret Canada’s existing freedom of information resources and request database.
What the guide covers
The resource walks through the types of court records you can expect to find, how they are made available and any restrictions that typically apply. It notes that each jurisdiction has its own rules and procedures, so the steps vary depending on where the matter was heard.
- Court dockets and daily lists
- Filed pleadings and civil lawsuit records
- Small claims files
- Judgments and written reasons
- Orders and directions from judges
- Bankruptcy records and trustee filings
- Indexes and register entries
How access works across Canada
There is no single Canadian court system. Provincial and territorial courts, superior courts and federal courts each have distinct procedures and online services. In some places judges’ decisions and dockets are posted online; in others you have to request files in person, by mail or by email. Overall, Canada lags other countries in putting judicial decisions online.
The guide flags common restrictions. Records that contain personal information, sealed material, or details related to ongoing criminal proceedings may be withheld or redacted. Administrative rules can also limit remote access to certain file types.
Using the Secret Canada tools
SecretCanada.com hosts the guide alongside a searchable database of completed freedom of information requests and a letter generator with templates to request records. The site explains whether you should apply through court registries, FOI processes, or other channels depending on the document.
- Go to SecretCanada.com and open the resources section for court-records guidance.
- Select the province, territory or federal court that handled the matter.
- Identify the type of record you need and check the listed access method.
- Use the provided template or letter generator to prepare a request if required.
- Submit the request to the court registry or the relevant FOI office, and note any fees or timelines listed.
The guide provides this information for each province, territory and federal jurisdiction.
SecretCanada.com
When to use freedom of information versus court requests
Freedom of information laws apply to many public bodies including governments, police services and Crown corporations, but they do not replace court processes. Court registries control access to the judicial record, while FOI requests can be useful for related government-held documents. Secret Canada’s site explains the difference and points users to the right channel.
If a document originated in a court file, start with the court registry. If the material is held by a government agency or other public institution, file an FOI request as described in the Secret Canada FOI guides.
Practical tips
- Gather as much detail as possible before you request records, including names, file numbers, dates and court locations.
- Check the registry’s hours and whether requests must be filed in person or can be emailed.
- Expect varying fees and processing times across jurisdictions.
- Use the site’s templates to reduce errors and clarify your request.
Secret Canada’s tools have already seen uptake. In 2025, more than 5,200 people used the FOI letter generator, demonstrating demand for practical guidance when seeking public records.
For people who need court files regularly, becoming familiar with the specific rules in the relevant province or territory will save time. Start with SecretCanada.com to identify the right office and the correct process to follow.
access-to-informationcourt-recordsSecret Canadafreedom-of-informationlegal
