BC Provincial Court forms explained
Eight current forms are explained in plain English, including what each form is for, what commonly goes wrong and the form-specific next step.
Open forms sectionBC Provincial Court family law
BC Provincial Court family law: start here.
A plain-English map of the Provincial Court process — what the court can decide, which path may apply, what forms people commonly see, and what usually happens after filing.
Last reviewed · Sep. 15, 2026
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Provincial Court is only part of BC family law
Provincial Court can deal with parenting arrangements, guardianship, contact, child support, spousal support, protection orders and companion-animal property issues. Divorce and ordinary division of family property or debt belong in BC Supreme Court.
Choose the path that matches what is happening
Before Form 3
Early resolution
Many BC registries require early-resolution steps before a regular Family Law Act application or reply can be filed.
Understand early resolutionApplication / reply
Forms and service
Form 3 starts many regular applications. Form 6 is the reply. Form 4 can be required for support, and Form 7 is commonly used to prove service.
Plain-English formsFirst court appearance
Family Management Conference
For many Family Law Act applications, the first court appearance is an FMC — a case-management and problem-solving appearance, not simply a trial.
FMC guideA simple map of a regular application
1. Registry requirementsCheck whether early resolution or parenting education applies before filing.
2. ApplicationFile the correct form package and arrange service on the other party.
3. ReplyThe responding party may file Form 6; support issues can also require Form 4.
4. FMC / next directionsThe case normally moves toward a Family Management Conference before later hearings or trial steps.
Not every application follows this map. Protection orders, priority parenting matters, relocation, enforcement, case-management orders and consent orders have their own procedures and can be exempt from the ordinary early-resolution requirements.
What if I need Supreme Court?
Do not copy Provincial Court procedure into a Supreme Court case. Divorce, ordinary property/debt division and Supreme Court family procedure use different rules and forms.
BC family-law overview