BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Your Data Your Rights
How do I access Court Records in BC?
Your ability to access court records will depend on the court you were attending and the types of charges.
Court files contain many different documents about a legal matter. The public’s access to court files and documents is determined by policies set by the Provincial Court, B.C. Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal. The policies provide direction on access to criminal, family, and civil court records.
There are several ways to access a court file:
- Visit the court registry where the matter was heard
- Write or fax a letter to the court registry where the matter was heard (requests for court documents cannot be emailed)
- Find a local court registry
- View and download documents online through Court Services Online (only certain documents can be viewed or downloaded, and a fee may apply)
The provincial government has provided the following information about accessing court records:
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-services/documents-forms-records/access-court-records
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/understanding-criminal-justice/how-works/court-records
Updated 2024.07. 27
These pages were last updated and reviewed in the summer of 2024.
The information on these pages only contains general information and guidance; none of the information constitutes legal advice. If you have a specific issue that you believe is a legal problem, the best practice is to consult a lawyer.
The information is non-partisan, dynamic and ever changing. It is the result of FIPA’s research and public education programs.
If you note something that needs to be added, corrected, or removed, please contact us by email: fipa AT fipa.bc.ca.
