Want a Fast Divorce in BC? Here's How to Make It Happen
Sometimes, you just need to get divorced—fast.
Whether you're hoping to remarry, facing health concerns, or just anxious to close a painful chapter and move forward, getting caught up in the legal back-and-forth can feel frustrating and emotionally draining. The good news? Even though you have to go through the courts to get divorced, there are ways to make the process faster and avoid unnecessary delays.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the fastest way to get divorced in BC—what steps to take, what pitfalls to avoid, and how to move on with confidence.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the fastest way to get divorced in BC—what steps to take, what pitfalls to avoid, and how to move on with confidence.
Step 1: Separation
Before you can get divorced, you and your spouse must be legally separated for at least one year. This is the most common and required ground for divorce in Canada.
There are exceptions. If adultery or physical/mental cruelty has occurred, you may be able to bypass the one-year separation period. However, these claims must be supported by evidence or a sworn statement, and both parties usually need to agree that the misconduct took place.
While these exceptions can speed things up, they often come with added complications. So, for many couples, the one-year separation remains the simplest and fastest route.
Step 2: Settlement
The one-year separation period is a good time to start working through the issues that often come up when a relationship ends—like dividing property and debts, figuring out parenting arrangements, and sorting out child or spousal support.
To be granted a divorce, the court needs to see that these matters have been dealt with. This includes decisions around:
- Your family home – Will one of you stay, or is it being sold?
- Pensions – Are they being divided?
- RRSPs and investments – What happens to these assets?
The reality is, if you and your spouse can’t come to an agreement, the divorce is likely to drag on—sometimes for years. Most delays don’t come from the legal system, they come from couples not being able to agree on who gets what, and how life after separation should look. The longer you stay stuck in conflict, the longer the process will take (and contested divorces often require court intervention, which only adds more time).
I often suggest to clients that one of the best ways to get started is with a simple kitchen-table agreement—where you and your ex jot down the main things you agree on. Think about what’s fair, what’s practical, and what works for your family both now and long-term.
From there, the best and fastest way to ensure a smooth divorce is to formalize that agreement in writing. While it might seem quicker to draft something yourself, DIY agreements often leave out important details and can be challenged later.
That’s why it’s strongly recommended to take your kitchen-table agreement to a lawyer for independent legal advice. This helps ensure nothing has been missed and that your agreement is legally sound. It’s a small step that can save you a lot of time, stress, and unexpected costs down the road.
Once all matters are resolved, your divorce becomes “uncontested”, which is the quickest path forward.
Step 3: Gather Necessary Documents
Before you officially file for divorce with the court, you’ll need:
- Your marriage certificate: This is the official document that proves you were legally married. The court requires an original certificate, which must be surrendered when you file for divorce. If you’ve lost yours, you can apply for a replacement through BC Vital Statistics any time after your marriage has been registered.
- Proof of separation: This can include evidence that you’ve been living apart for at least a year. If there’s no signed separation agreement that outlines things like property division or support, you’ll still need to confirm the date of separation. This is done through an affidavit—a written, sworn statement that you sign to confirm the separation date and show the court that you’ve met the legal requirements to be granted a divorce.
Step 4: File Your Paperwork with the Court
Once you’ve gathered your documents, the next step is to initiate your divorce with the BC supreme court. This involves filing several forms together as part of your application and paying any associated fees.
The Notice of Family Claim is the main document that starts the divorce process. When you file it, you’ll also need to submit supporting documents like your original marriage certificate and separation agreement, if you have one.
After the Notice of Family Claim is filed, there are additional steps to follow and more documents that must be submitted as your case moves forward. Often, it’s the waiting periods that cause delays, especially if the court registry is busy or if your application is rejected due to missing information or errors.
Working with a family lawyer can help move things along more quickly. Since they handle this process every day, they’re familiar with what the court requires, how to complete the forms properly, and when to file them.
Step 5: Finalize the Divorce Order
Once the court has reviewed all the required documents, a judge will issue and sign the divorce order.
Your divorce is final 31 days after that order is granted, as long as no appeal is filed during that time. Only then are you officially divorced—and legally free to remarry, if you choose to.
Divorce can feel like an overwhelming process, but if you and your spouse are able to agree on how to divide things fairly and efficiently, it can move surprisingly fast. In many cases, it’s possible to finalize a divorce within just 4 to 5 months after the one-year separation period has passed.
Having a lawyer guide you through the process can make all the difference. At Crossroads Law, we offer flat-rate uncontested divorce packages to help you move through the process as efficiently as possible, without any hidden hourly fees. Our team takes care of the paperwork, ensures everything is filed properly, and helps avoid the common delays that can slow things down. Ready to get started? Book your free 20-minute consultation today.
The information contained in this blog is not legal advice and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject. The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only.
