Form 7: Certificate of Service
Form 7 is proof that court documents were served. In plain English, it records who delivered the documents, what was delivered, when, where and how.
Think: “I need to prove the other person received the court papers.”
This page explains the form in everyday language and links back to the official BC source.
Why this guide exists: I went through BC family court myself and found the forms harder to understand than they needed to be.
What “service” means
Service means formally giving court documents to another person in a way allowed by the court rules. It matters because the court needs to know the other party received the documents and had a fair chance to respond.
What Form 7 does
The person who served the documents completes Form 7 to certify the details of service. The form asks what was served, who received it, the date and time, the location or address, and the method used.
Who signs it?
The person who actually served the documents signs the certificate. Form 7 is a certificate, not the general affidavit form, so do not confuse it with Form 45.
What do you do with it?
Keep the completed proof of service with your court paperwork and file it when the rules or registry require it. If you are unsure how a particular document must be served, ask the registry about procedure before serving it.
Where do I file it?
File it with the Provincial Court registry handling your case, unless the official form or a court order tells you otherwise. A registry is the court office that accepts and processes documents. Registry staff can explain filing procedure, but they cannot give legal advice.