To enforce an out-of-province judgment in Calgary, you do not need a new trial. Under the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act, you can register the judgment at the Alberta Court of King’s Bench for a $300 CAD fee, allowing you to seize local assets.
Winning a lawsuit in Ontario, British Columbia, or Saskatchewan is a great victory, but it becomes complicated if the debtor packs up and moves to Alberta. 🏢 A judgment from another province is not automatically enforceable in Calgary. A bank in Alberta will not freeze an account, and an Alberta bailiff will not seize a vehicle based solely on a court order from Toronto or Vancouver.
Fortunately, Canada’s legal system provides a streamlined solution. ⚖ Under the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act (REJA), you can essentially convert your out-of-province court order into a valid Alberta judgment. Once registered at the Calgary Courts Centre, you gain access to all the powerful enforcement tools available in the province, including wage garnishment and property seizure.
Step-by-Step Process in Calgary, Alberta
This process is entirely administrative, meaning you rarely have to argue your case in front of a judge again. 📍 The Alberta courts respect the decisions of other Canadian jurisdictions, provided you follow the correct filing procedures.
Step 1: Obtain a Certified Copy of the Original Judgment
You cannot use a photocopy or a regular printout of your judgment. You must contact the original courthouse in the province where you won the lawsuit and request a “Certified Copy” of the judgment. 📄 This document will bear an official, raised seal or an original signature from the court clerk, proving its authenticity.
Step 2: Prepare the Registration Application
Next, you or your Calgary lawyer must prepare a sworn Affidavit and a formal Certificate outlining the details of the judgment. The Affidavit must confirm that the judgment is still valid, has not been fully paid, and that no appeals are currently pending in the original province. 📝 You will calculate the total amount currently owed, including any interest that has accumulated.
Step 3: Register at the Court of King’s Bench
Even if your original judgment was from a small claims court in another province, extra-provincial judgments are registered at the Court of King’s Bench in Alberta. Submit your application at the Calgary Courts Centre. Once registered, it is legally treated exactly like a local Alberta judgment, allowing you to issue a Writ of Enforcement and hire a Civil Enforcement Agency.
How Much Does it Cost in Calgary?
Transporting a judgment across provincial lines involves court fees and usually requires legal assistance to ensure the procedural rules are met perfectly. 💳 Here is a breakdown of typical costs in CAD as of May 2026:
- Court Filing Fee: The government fee to register an extra-provincial judgment at the Alberta Court of King’s Bench is $300 CAD.
- Original Court Fees: Obtaining the certified copy from the originating province usually costs $20 to $50 CAD.
- Lawyer Fees: Retaining a local Calgary civil litigation lawyer to draft the affidavits and register the judgment typically costs between $750 and $2,000 CAD.
- Enforcement Costs: Once registered, you will still need to pay standard Alberta enforcement fees (e.g., $50 for a Garnishee Summons).
| Certified Copy | Request from the originating province | $20 – $50 CAD |
| Alberta Registration | File at Court of King’s Bench in Calgary | $300 CAD |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The timeline depends heavily on how fast you can get documents from the other province. ⏱ Ordering a certified copy can take 1 to 3 weeks. Once your lawyer files the registration paperwork at the Calgary Courts Centre, the court typically processes and registers the judgment within 1 to 2 weeks, allowing you to begin aggressive collection efforts almost immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does this apply to judgments from the USA or other countries?
No. The Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act only applies to judgments from other Canadian provinces and territories. Enforcing a foreign judgment from the United States or Europe requires a completely different, much more complex lawsuit under common law rules.
Can the debtor fight the registration in Alberta?
It is very difficult. The debtor cannot argue the facts of the case again. They can only challenge the registration if they prove the original court had no legal jurisdiction over them, or if the judgment was obtained through fraud.
What if the judgment is from Quebec?
Quebec is not a reciprocating jurisdiction under Alberta’s Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act (REJA). This means you cannot register a Quebec judgment administratively in Alberta. To enforce a judgment from Quebec in Calgary, you must initiate a brand new civil action under common law rules.
How long do I have to register the judgment?
You generally must register the extra-provincial judgment in Alberta before the time limit to enforce it expires in the province where it was originally granted, or within the limitation period set out in Alberta’s Limitations Act, whichever is shorter.
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