Checklist: What to Take When You Leave

Legally reviewed

❑ Birth certificates (yours and the children’s)

❑ Social insurance cards

❑ BC Services Card (CareCard/​medical coverage forms)

❑ Driver’s licence and/​or photo identification

❑ Status cards

❑ Passports

❑ Permanent residence card/​immigration permits/​visas

❑ Any documents from another country to do with you or your children

❑ Marriage certificate

❑ Family law orders

❑ Legal protection or restraining orders

❑ Medical records for all family members

❑ Children’s school records

❑ Investment papers/​records and bank account numbers

❑ Rental agreement/​lease or house deed

❑ Car title, registration, and insurance information

❑ Cash (it might take months to get support payments)

❑ Credit cards

❑ ATM card

❑ Chequebook, bank records

❑ Keys for the house, car, and safety deposit box or post office box

❑ Pre-paid calling card for long distance calls

❑ Cell phone/​laptop computer/​tablet (some ex-partners might use these to find you, so leave them with someone you trust)*

❑ Address book

❑ At least one month’s supply of all medicines you and your children need

❑ Copies of prescriptions

❑ Jewellery or small objects you can sell

❑ Pictures (make sure you have a picture of your ex-partner so you can serve legal papers)

❑ Keepsakes

❑ Children’s treasures (for example, stuffed animals or special blankets)

❑ Clothing for you and the children


*Cell phones, computers, tablets, and cars may have tracking systems in place. Your ex-partner might be able to use these systems to find you. Leave these items with a trusted friend or family member at first. Then take them to an expert to see if there’s tracking software that has to be deleted.

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