When is BC Provincial Court Form 4 required?

Form 4 is the sworn financial statement for certain child-support and spousal-support cases in BC Provincial Court. This short guide focuses on when to file and serve it. For the six parts, practical examples and a preparation checklist, see our step-by-step Form 4 guide.

When an applicant may need Form 4

Rule 25 requires a child-support applicant to file Form 4 when the child-support guidelines require that person to provide income information. A person applying for spousal support must file Form 4.

Responding to a support application

For an original Form 3 application about child or spousal support, Rule 28(2)–(4) requires a responding party to file Form 4 with the Form 6 reply within 30 days after service. In an early resolution registry, additional steps must be completed before the reply is filed. Applications to change an existing support order have separate procedures; check the current rules.

Check the court before choosing a form

BC Provincial Court uses this Form 4 financial statement. A BC Supreme Court family case instead uses Form F8; BC small claims Form 4 is a different document altogether.

Current official form

The official government PDF checked October 4, 2026 is PFA 713, revision 12/2025. It says a person required to prepare a financial statement must attach tax returns and related schedules plus notices of assessment/reassessment for the three most recent taxation years, as well as proof of current income from each relevant source.

Signing and filing

Form 4 contains facts that are sworn or affirmed. The current form says registry staff who are commissioners can help swear or affirm the document for free. Rule 172 also provides a route for filing an unsworn document in the circumstances described by that rule if the person will be available to swear or affirm its contents during the court appearance.

Service of Form 4

The current Form 4 instructions distinguish how service works depending on why it is filed. When filed with Form 3, it is served with the application. When filed with a reply, the registry provides the copy to the other party. In other circumstances, ordinary service to the address for service may apply.

Accuracy matters

Use actual records wherever possible. Do not invent figures to fill a blank. Keep the supporting documents organized and keep a complete copy of what was filed.