Form 32: Warrant for Arrest
Form 32 is a warrant issued by a BC Provincial Court judge in specified family proceedings. It is not a form that a parent or support creditor can issue themselves.
An arrest warrant in a family case is a court-authorized process, not an automatic penalty for owing support. The relevant rule, the court order, and the reason for non-attendance or enforcement determine when it may be issued.
When can a Form 32 warrant be issued?
In support enforcement, Rule 140 allows applications involving a warrant in specific situations under the Family Maintenance Enforcement Act, including non-compliance with a financial disclosure order and certain concerns about a debtor leaving BC to evade enforcement. Under Rule 141, a judge may issue a warrant when a person served with a support-enforcement summons fails to attend. Under Rule 149, a judge may issue a warrant when a party fails to attend a required court appearance after service of a summons or after the date was set in that person's presence. Rule 151 provides another limited warrant process associated with a potential extraordinary-remedy imprisonment hearing under the Family Law Act.
What does an issued warrant contain?
- The registry location, court file number and, where relevant, the BC Family Maintenance Agency case identifier.
- The named person, date of birth and identifying address details used by the court.
- The legal reason for apprehension, such as failing to attend a specified appearance or the relevant enforcement proceeding.
- A court direction to police to arrest the named person and bring the person before a justice or judge as directed.
- The issuing judge or authorized court-clerk information and execution details; these cannot be added by a private litigant.
What happens after someone is arrested?
For warrants under Rules 141 or 149, the person generally must be brought before a justice as soon as possible and released when the person signs the relevant Form 25 release from custody requiring attendance at a new court date. Other warrants can include directions for custody and prompt presentation before a judge, so read the specific warrant. Failing to attend the new date can lead to a further warrant. A warrant is not itself a decision to imprison someone for non-payment.
Important custody distinction: the release-on-signing procedure in Rules 141 and 149 is not a blanket guarantee for every type of Form 32 warrant. A warrant involving a possible extraordinary imprisonment remedy under Rule 151 or a court custody direction must be handled under its actual terms and the relevant rule; obtain legal advice promptly.
If you believe there is a warrant involving you
Contact the court registry or obtain legal advice promptly so you can identify the actual warrant, its case number and lawful process for appearance or cancellation. Do not assume an old court date, an informal message from another party or a debt collection letter proves that a warrant exists. If police are involved, follow lawful directions and seek advice about your rights.
Worked example
A support debtor was personally served with an issued summons but did not attend the specified hearing. After reviewing the circumstances, the judge may authorize a Form 32 warrant under Rule 141. The other parent cannot fill out a warrant and arrange an arrest on their own.
Mistakes to avoid
Form 32 is different from Form 24, which relates to a subpoenaed witness. It is also distinct from the Form 30 application used to request certain support-enforcement remedies. Criminal arrests and criminal warrants use different procedures.
Official sources
- Official BC government Form 32 (PDF)
- BC Provincial Court Family Rules — Rules 140, 141, 149 and 151
- BC government Provincial Court family forms library
- Official prescribed Form 32 (BC Laws PDF)
Primary-source cross-check: October 13, 2026. Targeted guide review, not a complete certification of every possible case or later legal amendment.