Form 19: Written Response to Application
Use Form 19 to give your written response to certain applications. If you have a court date, filing this form does not mean you can skip it.
Form 19 is optional, but a party who chooses to respond under Rule 86 must attend court. File and serve a written response before the appearance.
Which applications use Form 19?
Form 19 is an optional written response to specified applications for other orders, including a case-management order, a protection order, a priority-parenting matter, relocation, and certain enforcement/FMEA applications as shown on the form. It is not the same as the Form 6 used to respond to an ordinary Form 3 family-law matter application.
Important: filing is not enough
Under Rule 86, if a party chooses to respond to an application under Part 5, that party must attend at the time listed in the application. For enforcement applications, check the separate reply rules 137 and 142.1, which also use Form 19 and may specify distinct document-service obligations. Filing Form 19 is optional, but if used, it must be filed and served on every other party before the appearance date. A response filed late may not meet the rule. Follow any special directions or orders in the case.
How to complete Form 19
- Check the box that matches the original application. Copy the registry, case number and party names accurately.
- Identify the application being answered, the applicant and the filing date.
- For terms you agree with, use Part 3 to state whether your agreement is full or partial.
- For terms you oppose, use Part 4 to identify the specific order terms, why you disagree, the alternative order you propose, and facts supporting your position.
- Provide an address for service, file Form 19 with the registry, serve every other party before the scheduled appearance and attend court.
Evidence and different issues
You may also use a separate Form 45 general affidavit to provide sworn evidence where appropriate, or give testimony in court. Form 19 can state facts but does not by itself replace evidence requirements. The prescribed form says that if you want orders about a different matter, you generally need to file your own application rather than adding an unrelated request to this response.
Worked example
A guardian is served with Form 16 objecting to a proposed move. They complete Form 19 identifying which terms they oppose and the facts they want the judge to consider. They file and serve the written response before the listed hearing and attend the hearing to explain their position.
Common mistake
Do not confuse the response with a waiver of the hearing. Form 19 does not excuse attendance. Similarly, a Form 19 response is not a substitute for Form 6 when responding to the ordinary Form 3 family-law application.
Official sources
- Official prescribed Form 19 (PDF)
- BC Provincial Court Family Rules — Rules 86, 137, 142.1
- Province of BC: Provincial Family Forms
Targeted review of current rules and forms: October 13, 2026. This is not a complete legal review of every exception or future change.