If you cannot afford to pay court fees

How to get an Indigency Order in Supreme Court

Who this guide is for and how it works

Note: Mouse over any of the terms in green type to see a definition.

This do-it-yourself guide is for people who cannot afford to pay court filing fees, but want to begin, defend, or continue an application for a divorce or an application to get or change custody, access, guardianship, or support in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

This guide will tell you how to apply for an Indigency Order, which is a court order that allows you to begin or respond to an application without paying court fees. (Indigency is pronounced "IN-di-jen-see.")

For a list of all the court fees, see Appendix C of the Supreme Court Rules (this link opens to Appendix B; scroll down to find Appendix C).

In this guide, you will find:

  • a list of steps explaining what to do,
  • blank copies of the court forms you will need,
  • instructions for filling out these forms, and
  • information about what will happen when you go to court.
Can refer to where and with whom a child lives, or where a child lives and the rights and responsibilities of a parent regarding the child in his or her care.
Generally means the time children spend with the parent they do not usually live with. However, access is not limited to the parent who does not have custody — any person can apply for access to a child (including grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other relatives).
The responsibility for making major decisions for children about such things as what kind of education, health care, or religious training they will receive, and how to manage anything the children may own, such as property or money.
Money paid by one party to the other party as financial support. Support can be paid for a former spouse, or for any or all children.
A document that records the decision of a judge/master and is entered at the court registry after the judge/master makes his or her decision.