Filing by Mail and Remote Filing in NWT Territorial Court

No Online Filing — Mail Is Your Alternative

The Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories does not operate an electronic filing portal. The interactive PDF forms on nwtcourts.ca are fillable templates you download and print — not an online submission system. Civil claims are filed either in person at a court registry or by mail.

For residents of remote communities — Fort Simpson, Norman Wells, Tuktoyaktuk, Behchokǫ̀, and dozens of other settlements without a court registry — filing by mail is often the only practical option.

What to Send

Your mail filing package includes:

1. Completed Form 1 (Statement of Claim) — printed, signed, with the facts of your dispute, the amount claimed, and the correct defendant name and address. A P.O. Box is not acceptable as a service address — use a physical location
2. Filing fee payment — $55 by certified cheque or money order payable to the "Government of the Northwest Territories." Credit cards (Visa or Mastercard) are accepted in person but not by mail
3. Enough copies — include copies for your records and for serving each defendant, in addition to the original. The registry returns the stamped copies you need; confirm the current copy count with the registry
4. Return mailing — ask the registry whether it requires a stamped, self-addressed envelope or another return-postage arrangement

Mail your package to the registry that has venue over your claim — the one nearest to where the defendant lives or does business, or where the dispute occurred.

Timeline Considerations

Mail delivery and registry processing times can vary, especially for remote and fly-in communities. Allow extra time for delivery to the registry, processing, and return of stamped copies.

If your 6-year limitation period under the Limitation of Actions Act is close to expiring, contact the registry immediately about the safest filing method and timing. Do not assume that a courier or other delivery method will be accepted without confirming it.

After the Registry Returns Your Stamped Copies

Once you receive the sealed copies of Form 1 with the court file number, you must arrange personal service on the defendant — the same Rule 4 requirements as any other filing. You also need to serve a blank Form 2 (Statement of Defence) alongside Form 1.

If you are in a remote community and the defendant is elsewhere, you can hire a process server in the defendant's community. The Sheriff's Office can also serve documents, for a fee (Schedule B rates, including $0.50 per kilometre for travel).

After service, file Form 3 (Affidavit of Service) — which must be sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public. In small communities, coordinate with community justice committees, RCMP detachments, or visiting Legal Aid court workers to find an authorized commissioner.

Tips for Self-Represented Litigants

Most civil claimants in the Territorial Court represent themselves. The court expects this and the procedures are designed to be navigable without a lawyer. A few practical points:

• Keep copies of everything — every document you file, every letter you send, every receipt. The judge works from the evidence in front of them
• Use the Legal Aid Outreach Clinic — up to one hour of free legal advice (1-844-497-1319 or 867-767-9384), no income test. Use it before filing to confirm your claim is viable and you are filing at the right registry
• Follow deadlines exactly — the response period is 25 days if the defendant is served in the NWT and 30 days if served outside the NWT; also track mediation directions and the 30-day appeal period. Missing a deadline can cost you the case
• Write clearly on forms — judges read dozens of Statement of Claim forms. A concise, chronological summary of what happened beats a four-page narrative
• Bring organized evidence to mediation — mandatory mediation is your best chance to settle. Arrive with your documents sorted and a realistic settlement number in mind

Language and Accessibility

The NWT recognizes eleven official languages. If you need interpretation — Tłı̨chǫ, Chipewyan, Inuktitut, French, or another language — request it from the registry at least 30 days before your hearing. The court provides interpreters at public expense.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to attend court, contact the registry to arrange accommodations. You can also apply to appear by telephone or video via Form 40 (Application to Judge).

The Full Filing Guide

The NWT Small Claims Filing Guide covers every step of the process for self-represented claimants — from writing a demand letter through to enforcing a judgment. It includes a service tracker, deadline calendar, and form-by-form instructions designed for people filing without a lawyer, including from remote NWT communities.

See more Northwest Territories guides →