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Who can enrol in the BC Family Maintenance Agency (BCFMA)?

Last updated on September 19, 2025

Anyone with a support order or agreement can enrol in BCFMA at no cost. Some clients enrol with BCFMA to receive help with securing family support payments. Others enrol simply because it’s easier to have BCFMA collect and track their payments.

There are only two requirements:

  • Either parent can enrol, as long as one of the parties lives in B.C.
  • There is a valid support order or agreement from Canada or elsewhere that can be collected by B.C.

The person receiving support is called the recipient. The person paying support is called the payor.

A recipient living outside B.C. should enrol in the maintenance program where they live. BCFMA can take steps to collect support payments on behalf of that maintenance program when the payor lives in B.C.

If the payor or recipient’s whereabouts is unknown, BCFMA can request a search from the Locate Services program. The program will use a variety of federal and provincial databases. BCFMA can request a search for location, employment and assets.

Access free family justice services in person or virtually at Family Justice Centres and Justice Access Centres.

  • Staff across B.C. can help you understand your options during separation or divorce. They can talk with you and assess your needs, and provide information about:
    • Parenting arrangements
    • Guardianship
    • Child and spousal support
    • Contact with a child
    • Property division respecting a companion animal 
  • To find the location nearest you, see the list of Family Justice Centre locations

Take a free Parenting After Separation course.

Find more family law information and legal help:

In a joint divorce, you and your spouse apply together for a simple, uncontested divorce. You both agree on all family law issues that affect your family and only need to apply for a divorce order.

Apply for a joint divorce

B.C. has a central authority that helps parents when someone takes their children to another country without permission. For details and contact information visit the International child abduction page.