We deliberately do not publish courthouse addresses or filing fees here: they change, and an out-of-date address or fee is worse than none. What we can do is help you identify the correct forum, after which the court's own official website gives you current locations, forms and fees.
If a limitation period or notice deadline may be close, treat identifying the forum as urgent and get legal advice — filing in the wrong place does not stop the clock.
How to use this
1Identify the subject matter
Family, criminal, civil, small claims, tax, immigration, employment and residential tenancy each have their own forum, and several are tribunals rather than courts.
2Check the amount in dispute
Civil claims below a provincial threshold go to small claims court, which has simplified procedure and lower cost. Above it, the superior court. Thresholds differ by province and change.
3Confirm the right level and location
Then use the court's official website for the specific courthouse, forms, filing methods (many now accept online filing) and current fees.
4Ask about fee waivers
Most courts have a process to waive or reduce fees for people who cannot afford them. It is underused — ask the registry.
Directory
Canada — court structure
- Provincial / territorial courtsMost criminal matters, many family matters, small claims in some provinces. Named e.g. Ontario Court of Justice, Cour du Québec.
- Superior courtsSerious criminal matters, larger civil claims, divorce and most estates. Named e.g. Superior Court of Justice (ON), Cour supérieure (QC), Supreme Court (BC).
- Courts of appealAppeals from the courts above, one per province or territory.
- Federal Court & Federal Court of AppealImmigration judicial review, intellectual property, federal boards and agencies.
- Tax Court of CanadaAppeals of tax assessments after the objection stage.
- Supreme Court of CanadaFinal appeals, generally by leave only.
Canada — common tribunals (not courts)
- Residential tenancy tribunalsLandlord and tenant disputes — e.g. Ontario's LTB, Quebec's TAL.
- Human rights tribunalsDiscrimination and accommodation complaints.
- Employment standards & labour boardsWages, overtime and statutory entitlements.
- Immigration and Refugee BoardRefugee claims, admissibility and certain immigration appeals.
United States
- State trial courtsMost matters, including family and criminal. Names vary widely by state.
- State appellate and supreme courts
- US District CourtsFederal trial courts — federal claims and diversity jurisdiction.
- US Courts of Appeals (Circuits)
- US Tax CourtDisputes with the IRS after appeals.
- Small claims courtsLower-value civil claims with simplified procedure; thresholds vary by state.
Bodies are named rather than linked so nothing here can go stale — search the exact name to reach the current official site.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know which court to file in?
- It depends on subject matter, the amount in dispute and jurisdiction — and many disputes go to a tribunal rather than a court. Identify the forum first, then use that court's official site for locations and forms.
- Why don't you list courthouse addresses?
- They change, as do filing fees and procedures. We would rather point you to the court's own current information than publish something that goes stale.
- What is small claims court?
- A simplified civil court for lower-value claims, with a monetary threshold that varies by province or state. Procedure is designed to be navigable without a lawyer.
- Can I get court fees waived?
- Usually yes — most courts have a fee waiver or reduction process for those who cannot afford them. Ask the court registry; it is widely underused.
- Does filing in the wrong court stop my deadline?
- Generally no. A limitation period keeps running, and filing in the wrong forum can waste the time you had. This is a reason to get advice quickly.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and we'll connect you with verified firms that handle it. It's free and there's no obligation.
General information, not legal advice. LegalCounselNearMe is not a law firm. Processes and eligibility vary by province and state — confirm current details with the body concerned.