Can you get an "Online Divorce" in Alberta? The answer is "yes", sort of.

In perusing the news today, I came across an article discussing "online divorces" in Utah. Which is a catchy concept - the idea that you can go online, fill out some forms, and abracadabra, you're divorced.

Of course, we can't do that in Alberta - or we couldn't, until now.

With the introduction of online filing of Court documents in Alberta, it is now possible to obtain an "online divorce" in Alberta.  Now - you can't do it completely online, but you most certainly don't have to go to the Court House.

All court documents can now be filed by email - and though you still have to personally serve the Defendant (by someone other than the Plaintiff themselves), in theory from that point, all documents can be handled online, right up to the granting of a divorce and obtaining a certificate of divorce.

In theory - because the Court of Queen's Bench website states that:

"Law firms, lawyers and court runners with existing charge account agreements or those lawyers and runners wishing to open a charge account agreement are permitted to file documents in all judicial centres through email."

Can a non-lawyer set up an account?  I don't know - you would have to confirm that with the Court, however, in theory I don't see why not.

So - assuming you can either charge up your Statement of Claim - or, if needed, once you have filed and paid for your Statement of Claim filing - you can file all documents from start to finish via email. 

So while putting the documents together can be a bit of a challenge, it is possible in Alberta to basically now obtain an "online divorce".

Just like Utah.