Last reviewed in June 2022 by the Clicklaw Editors.

You do not need a Certificate of Divorce to make your divorce "legal" or "official" in BC. If you ever have to show legal proof of your divorce, you can use your divorce order. However, you can use the Certificate of Divorce to show legal proof of your divorce to third parties (for example, when you remarry) without giving away all the details in your divorce order. Some foreign jurisdictions may require a certificate if you are getting remarried.

Good starting points include:

• How Do I Get My Divorce Certificate?, from the provincial government, provides step-by-step information.
• JP Boyd on Family Law, from John-Paul Boyd, QC/Courthouse Libraries BC, provides step-by-step instructions in the section How Do I Get my Certificate of Divorce?

Need more help?

• You can apply for your Certificate of Divorce at the Supreme Court Registry.
• Family LawLINE, from Legal Aid BC, provides legal advice about family law issues for low-income people. 
• Family Justice Centres, from the provincial government, operate across BC to provide services to British Columbians going through separation or divorce.
• Find more services near you on Clicklaw HelpMap.

See our related common questions:

• See all common questions about family law

tags

remarried, remarriage, divorce, certificate of divorce, divorce order, i'm getting remarried, making a divorce official, proof of divorce, divorce certificate, obtaining a divorce certificate