How to Serve a CRT Dispute Notice in BC: Methods, Deadlines, and Proof

You filed your CRT claim, paid the fee, and received the Dispute Notice Package. Now the clock starts — 90 calendar days to serve every respondent, and 10 days after each service to file proof. Miss either deadline, and your claim stalls.

Service is where CRT claims most commonly go wrong. The rules vary by who you are serving and how, and a mistake here can make an otherwise solid claim unenforceable.

The Two Deadlines

90 calendar days from issuance — that is how long you have to complete service on all named respondents. The clock starts when the CRT issues the Dispute Notice, not when you download it. For third-party claims, the window is shorter: 30 calendar days.

10 calendar days from service — after you serve each respondent, you must submit a Proof of Service form through the CRT portal. The form asks for the service method, date, location, and supporting evidence (tracking number, delivery signature, or a description of the personal delivery).

If a deadline falls on a weekend or BC statutory holiday, it extends to the next business day.

Two Service Pathways

When you file the application, you choose between:

Applicant Service. You handle service yourself, using the approved methods below. This gives you control over timing and proof quality. Registered mail with signature confirmation is the most reliable because the tracking record doubles as your evidence.

CRT Service. You ask the CRT to mail the package by regular surface mail. It is usually considered served 20 days after the CRT issues the Dispute Notice. The risk: regular mail has no signature confirmation. If the respondent later claims they never received it, a default order may be vulnerable to cancellation.

For most claims, applicant service by registered mail is the safer choice.

Approved Methods by Entity Type

For corporations, you can serve by registered mail or courier at the official office address filed with the BC Corporate Registry, or deliver the package in person at the official address or place of business to an eligible recipient. Leaving it at a retail location or job site is not service.

Respondents Outside BC

If the respondent is outside British Columbia, you can still serve them using the applicable methods above, including registered mail to their address. The difference: their deadline to file a Dispute Response extends from 14 calendar days to 30 calendar days.

When Normal Service Fails

If the respondent is evading service — no one answers the door, registered mail is returned unclaimed, you cannot find a current address — you can submit a Request for Directions on Service through the CRT portal.

The tribunal may authorize substituted service: delivery by email, social media message, or serving a co-worker or adult household member. You must show that you exhausted standard methods first.

Filing Proof of Service

The Proof of Service form is submitted through your CRT online account. Include:

• Which respondent was served
• The method used (registered mail, personal delivery, courier, or electronic message)
• The date service was completed
• The physical address where service occurred
• Supporting evidence — Canada Post tracking confirmation showing delivery and signature, courier delivery receipt, the respondent's message confirming receipt, or your own signed statement for personal delivery

The CRT will not advance your dispute without valid proof for every respondent. If proof is missing or incomplete, the case sits until you fix it.

What Happens If You Miss the 90-Day Window

If you do not serve all respondents within 90 days, the CRT can refuse to continue your claim. Contact the CRT promptly about next steps. The simplest path is to serve early and file proof promptly.

The BC CRT Small Claim Step-by-Step Guide includes a service tracking log and deadline calendar that keep you on top of both the 90-day and 10-day windows, with method-by-method instructions for each entity type.

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