Reciprocating Jurisdiction: Are orders of child support from another country valid in Ontario?

On the issue of a reciprocating jurisdiction, there are only certain circumstances whereby a child support order from another country would be recognized as valid in Ontario. In order for Ontario to recognize orders from another country, the area from which the original child support order was made must participate in a “reciprocating jurisdiction” relationship with Ontario.

A “reciprocating jurisdiction” relationship means that Ontario and the area in question have entered into a formal arrangement wherein they have agreed to enforce each other’s support orders. In the event that the country in question does in fact have a reciprocating jurisdiction relationship, then the order may be enforced in Ontario.

If you wish to have Ontario recognize a foreign child support order as valid, you are required to register the documentation with the courts in Ontario. Once the documentation has been filed with the Ontario courts, you may move to have the child support order enforced in Ontario.

In the event that you wish to have Ontario enforce child support payments, you may register the documentation with the Family Responsibility Office (FRO).

To learn more about reciprocating jurisdictions, contact Toronto divorce lawyers at Krol & Krol at 905.707.3370.