Family relationships

Not all couples who live together meet the definition of spouse under BC’s family law. Those who aren’t considered spouses have some rights but not others. Learn what happens if you’re in an unmarried relationship that ends.

You’ve decided to tie the knot. Congratulations! Learn the legal requirements and the steps involved to get married in British Columbia.

Not all relationships last forever. But the law can help. A marriage agreement or cohabitation agreement can set out how couples will deal with issues that come up if their relationship ends. These types of agreements can also cover what will happen during their relationship. Learn more about these agreements.

If you’re getting married or divorced, you may be thinking about changing your legal name. Or maybe you just feel like changing your name. Learn what’s involved in a name change.

Adoption can be a happy event for two families. But first there are legal matters to take care of — the transfer of parental rights and responsibilities for a child from one family to another. Learn what’s involved in adopting a child or placing a child for adoption.

Adoption registries and reunion services can help adopted people and their relatives reconnect. Learn how British Columbia’s adoption registries work.