Preparing B.C. Court Documents for Authentication

These include original documents (not photocopies) issued by a B.C. Court. All B.C. Court Documents requiring authentication should be stamped and signed with ink by a court employee. B.C. Court Documents include:

• Affidavit
• Divorce Certificate
• Supreme Court Order
• Petition of Divorce
• Letters of Probate
• Certified True Copy

Original B.C. Divorce Certificates must be sealed and signed with ink by a court employee.

Most B.C. Court Documents provided to the public are issued as certified true copies that are stamped and signed with ink by a court employee.

Old B.C. Court Documents provided to the public from B.C. Archives are issued as certified true copies, and must be stamped and signed with ink by a B.C. Archives employee.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Contact the embassy or consulate to determine what is needed.
2. If documents must be notarized before authentication, email BCAuthentication@gov.bc.ca to find out which B.C. Notaries Public (B.C. lawyers or B.C. non-lawyers) are already on file with our office.
3. All authentication requests sent to the B.C. Authentication Program at the Order in Council (OIC) Administration Office must include a signed and dated B.C. Document Authentication Request form and all applicable fees.
4. See Submitting your Documents for Authentication for instructions on how to complete the B.C. Document Authentication Request form online. In the form, select "BC Court Documents" as the document type you are submitting.
5. If you would like documents returned by courier to your address or a different address, please follow all instructions for Return Mail Service.
6. Mail or courier to the B.C. Authentication Program. *Reminder that there is no walk-in, drop off or while-you-wait service.