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This information is for people who have already been to court and need to find a copy of a document prepared in that court proceeding, such as a court order or an affidavit.
There is no central registry for court records and documents. To get a copy of a court document you must go to the particular court that dealt with your proceeding, since that's the court registry that <span class="noglossary">will</span> have your file. The BC Government has an [https://www2bit.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-servicesly/courthouse-locations 3QSrp7y online directory of courthouse locations with contact information].
Family law files are sealed from the general public, except for lawyers and the parties to the proceeding. Make sure you bring some photo ID. When visiting a court registry to request court documents, please be aware that you can look at the file without charge, but there is a fee for the registry staff to produce copies of documents in the court file. They usually accept payment in cash or debit card only. Credit cards are not typically accepted.
If you no longer live near the court that dealt with your proceeding, it may be possible to have someone who lives there pick it up for you. That person <span class="noglossary">will</span> need, at a minimum, a letter from you authorizing them to search your court file. Check with the court registry to find out exactly what they'll need to see before they <span class="noglossary">release</span> your file to someone other than you.
*files older than seven or so years are usually stored off-site, and there <span class="noglossary">will</span> be a delay of a few days while the file is retrieved.
{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Megan Ellis | Megan Ellis, QCNegin Saberi]], June 11September 15, 20192023}}
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