The COVID-19 pandemic is causing impacts across our court system. Services usually provided in-person have pivoted to a remote setting, and it looks like these changes are here to stay for the foreseeable future. The process for securing a Divorce Certificate is one of the services we’ve seen an impact on. In this blog, we’re going to run down the process for how to get a divorce certificate during COVID-19.
The Normal Divorce Certificate Process
In pre-COVID times, an individual simply had to wait 31 days from the day their divorce order was granted to secure their divorce certificate. This piece of paperwork would usually available to collect from the Supreme Court Registry where the divorce was filed. Due to COVID-19, things are currently operating in a slightly different manner.
Divorce Certificates During COVID-19
Since March 2020, Divorce Certificates are obtained in the following manner:
Mail a letter to the Supreme Court Registry where your divorce was filed. Include in the letter:
- The court file number or the full names of both parties who divorced
- Your mailing address and telephone number
- A cheque or money order for $50 payable to the Minister of Finance (includes $10 mailing fee)
If you live outside Canada, and are unable to pay using Canadian funds, find out what payment options are available:
If you're not sure where your divorce was filed: The Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings for Canada can confirm the location where a divorce was filed. However, they cannot provide an official divorce certificate.
Certificates for Older Divorces
If your divorce was granted 10 or more years ago, you may need to obtain a copy of the divorce order from the BC Archives utilizing their online Divorce Reproduction Form. The process works as follows:
If the divorce was finalized in British Columbia before 1983, you will be requested to include the following information:
- The names of the parties to the divorce
- The date of the divorce (approximate date is sufficient)
- A phone number that you can be reached at during the day
- Your mailing address
If the divorce was finalized in British Columbia after 1983, you will be requested to include the following information:
- The name of the court registry where the application for divorce was filed
- The date that the final divorce order was granted/enteredat that court registry (the filing date is not sufficient information)
- The volume and folio number of the final order if applicable
- The case/file number
- A phone number that you can be reached at during the day
- Your complete mailing address
Get in Touch
If you’re looking for advice on any stage of the divorce process, our family law experts at Westside Family Law are standing by to assist. Get in touch and we’ll be happy to discuss your options.