Published
Pardeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2024, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Updated November 11, 2026: the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (s. 122) and the BC Supreme Court’s registry list checked that day.
Any registry: a probate application can be filed in any BC Supreme Court registry.
But choose carefully: later applications about the estate generally go to the same registry and are heard in the same judicial district.
Surrey: Surrey has no Supreme Court registry of its own. Supreme Court matters for Surrey are handled at the New Westminster registry.
The lawyers who handle these estate files
About our lawyers
Sundeep S. Grewal founded Lawgical Law Corporation and practises probate, estate litigation and immigration. He has represented clients in the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia, from chambers applications to contested trials.
Pardeep S. Grewal is a probate, estates and immigration lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.
Probate in BC is handled by the Supreme Court, not the Provincial Court. WESA says an application is filed “with a registrar of the court”, which in practice means it can go to any Supreme Court registry in the province, wherever the deceased lived. That flexibility has a catch: unless the file is transferred, any later application about the estate, such as a dispute, a court order or a passing of accounts, will generally be made at the same registry and heard in the same judicial district. So it usually makes sense to file where the executor, the lawyers or a likely court hearing will be. Surrey has no Supreme Court registry of its own: Surrey’s Supreme Court matters are handled at the New Westminster registry.
Lawgical Law Corporation, a probate and estate law firm with offices in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, files probate applications in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley registries; this guide is by Pardeep S. Grewal.
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How to choose a registry
- Where any court hearing would likely be: if a dispute is possible, choose a registry convenient for the court hearing.
- Where the executor or lawyer is: for filing and collecting documents.
- Registry practice: practice varies. The CLE manual notes, for example, that the Vancouver registry prepares the authorization or grant form, while some registries, such as Kelowna and Victoria, want the applicant to prepare it.
Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley registries
| Registry | Often used for |
|---|---|
| Vancouver | Vancouver, North Shore, Richmond |
| New Westminster | Surrey (the registry responsible for Surrey’s Supreme Court matters), Delta, Burnaby, New Westminster, Langley |
| Port Coquitlam | Tri-Cities, Maple Ridge |
| Abbotsford | Abbotsford, Mission |
| Chilliwack | Chilliwack and the eastern Fraser Valley |
The “often used for” column is convenience, not a legal rule: any registry can accept the application. The BC Supreme Court publishes the full list of registries.
Ordinary residence and probate fees
Where the deceased lived matters for probate fees, not for which registry you choose. The registry uses the last address on the P1 notice and the P2 submission to decide ordinary residence, and may ask for evidence if non-resident status is claimed. See probate fees.
Name the registry on the notice
The Form P1 notice states the registry where you will file. Pick the registry before sending the notice. See the P1 notice and the 21-day wait.
Mistakes I have seen
- Filing in a distant registry, then needing a court hearing there.
- Going to a Provincial Court location expecting to file probate.
- Naming one registry in the P1 notice and filing in another.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file probate in Surrey?
Surrey has no Supreme Court registry of its own. The New Westminster registry handles Surrey’s Supreme Court matters, so Surrey estates are usually filed there, though any Supreme Court registry can accept a probate application.
Does it have to be where the deceased lived?
No. Any registry in BC can accept it.
Can the file be moved later?
A transfer of the court file can be requested.
What should I do right now?
Choose a registry close to where you, your lawyer and any hearing would be, and name it in your P1 notice.
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Sources
- Wills, Estates and Succession Act (s. 122), BC Laws
- Supreme Court Registries, BC Courts
- CLE BC, Probate and Estate Administration Practice Manual, §§5.13, 5.48, 7.12
This article is general information about BC law, not legal advice for your situation.