British Columbia
Service of process in British Columbia
British Columbia's Supreme Court Civil Rules describe personal service and its alternatives, and a notice of civil claim generally has to be served within twelve months of filing. We cover the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the interior.
What's different here
Serving documents in British Columbia
Twelve months on a notice of civil claim
Rule 3-2 gives a longer window than most provinces, but registry and hearing dates rarely wait. We plan attempts around your date, not the outside limit.
Personal service under Rule 4-3
The Rules set out how a person and a corporation are personally served. Where an alternative is used, we record what was done in enough detail to support an application later.
Ferries and distance
Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gulf Islands mean sailings, not just drives. Our quotes for those addresses assume the sailing schedule, and we say so on the case.
Small claims
Provincial Court small claims matters follow the Small Claims Rules, with their own service requirements. Tell us the registry and we handle the filing.
The rules
Supreme Court Civil Rules (B.C. Reg. 168/2009)
- Personal service is described in Rule 4-3.
- A notice of civil claim generally has to be served within 12 months after it is filed (Rule 3-2).
- Provincial Court (small claims) matters follow the Small Claims Rules instead.
Official source: BC Laws. This is general information, not legal advice — check the current rules, or ask your lawyer. All provinces
Coverage
Where we serve in British Columbia
- Process server in Vancouver
- Process server in Surrey
- Process server in Burnaby
- Process server in Richmond
- Process server in Victoria
- Process server in Kelowna
We also attend Coquitlam, Langley, Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Kamloops, Prince George, and smaller communities on planned routes — with the date confirmed before you order.
Also available
Other work we do in British Columbia
Hague & international service
Service into Canada under the Hague Service Convention, handled end to end.
Serve and file
Service plus filing the proof with the court, in one order.
Address investigation
Find a current address before a server is sent out.
Tracking & proof of service
Every order, attempt, document, and invoice in one dashboard.
Questions
Serving documents in British Columbia
How long does service take on Vancouver Island?
Victoria and Nanaimo are next-day in most cases. Smaller island communities depend on the sailing, and we give you the date before you order.
Can you serve a BC company at its registered office?
Yes. Give us the registered office from the corporate registry and we serve there where the rules allow it.
Put a British Columbia serve on track
Open an account for your firm. Once it's approved, your team can order service, follow every attempt, and download proof from one dashboard.