Getting Married in British Columbia
How to Get Married In British Columbia Are you eligible to marry in BC. ?
You do not have to be a British Columbia resident to be married in the province. However, you are required to get a Marriage Licence which is valid for a term of three months and only valid in British Columbia.
Anyone over 19 years of age is eligible to apply for a marriage licence in BC.
If one or both individuals were recently divorced within the last 31 days, proof of divorce must be provided. No licence is issued until the courts finalize a divorce, normally 31 days after the divorce decree is issued by the Courts.
To marry, blood tests are not required under British Columbia legislation.
Apply for a Marriage Licence
To get married in British Columbia, the Marriage Act requires that the couple get a Marriage Licence. You may get married during the three-month term of the licence.
Only one member of the couple needs to apply in person for a marriage licence.
The current fee for a Marriage Licence is $100.00 and must be paid at the time of application. To ensure accuracy of marriage certificates issued after registration and to verify legal age to apply for a marriage licence, primary identification in the form of a birth certificate, IMM/Immigration form, Permanent Resident or Citizenship card confirming 1) full legal names 2) birth date 3) place of birth should be provided for both parties. You will also be asked to provide information on your current marital status and address.
If the applicant does not have primary identification for the parties then the following documents may be utilized in a descending order of preference:
The marriage licence is issued at the time of application. The marriage licence is non-refundable, valid for three months and may not be extended.
The Vital statistics office in Kelowna is at: #305 - 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, B.C. Phone: 250 712-7562
If you live in Alberta and wish to obtain your Marriage License before you arrive in B.C. for your wedding, you simply plan a day trip to any town or city in B.C. and apply in that place. DO NOT pick up your Marriage License earlier than THREE MONTHS before you wedding. It is only valid for 3 months and will expire. To do so would mean you would have to re-purchase another license.
Arrange the Marriage Ceremony
In British Columbia, couples can choose a religious or civil ceremony, which must be witnessed by two people.
To perform the religious ceremony, you can choose a religious representative who must be registered with the Vital Statistics Agency, under the Marriage Act.
In BC, civil ceremonies are performed by marriage commissioners, who are appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Vital Statistics Agency
Register the Marriage
The marriage commissioner or religious representative who will perform the wedding ceremony will help complete the Marriage Registration Form. Within 48 hours of the wedding ceremony, the form will be sent to the Vital Statistics Agency, where the marriage will be registered and a legal record will be kept.
Proof of Marriage
At the time of the ceremony, your marriage commissioner or religious representative may provide a statement of marriage, which can be used temporarily as proof of marriage. However, it is not a legal document.
You will receive a legal Marriage Certificate from the Vital Statistics Agency after the registration of the marriage.
Which name can I use?
After marriage, you can continue using or choose to use your own surname at any time. You also gain the right to use your spouse's surname. This does not result in a legal change of name or any automatic change to your identification records.
If you choose to use hyphenated surnames, a legal Change of Name is required.
You do not have to be a British Columbia resident to be married in the province. However, you are required to get a Marriage Licence which is valid for a term of three months and only valid in British Columbia.
Anyone over 19 years of age is eligible to apply for a marriage licence in BC.
If one or both individuals were recently divorced within the last 31 days, proof of divorce must be provided. No licence is issued until the courts finalize a divorce, normally 31 days after the divorce decree is issued by the Courts.
To marry, blood tests are not required under British Columbia legislation.
Apply for a Marriage Licence
To get married in British Columbia, the Marriage Act requires that the couple get a Marriage Licence. You may get married during the three-month term of the licence.
Only one member of the couple needs to apply in person for a marriage licence.
The current fee for a Marriage Licence is $100.00 and must be paid at the time of application. To ensure accuracy of marriage certificates issued after registration and to verify legal age to apply for a marriage licence, primary identification in the form of a birth certificate, IMM/Immigration form, Permanent Resident or Citizenship card confirming 1) full legal names 2) birth date 3) place of birth should be provided for both parties. You will also be asked to provide information on your current marital status and address.
If the applicant does not have primary identification for the parties then the following documents may be utilized in a descending order of preference:
- Driver's Licence
- Passport
- Credit Card
- Bank Card
The marriage licence is issued at the time of application. The marriage licence is non-refundable, valid for three months and may not be extended.
The Vital statistics office in Kelowna is at: #305 - 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, B.C. Phone: 250 712-7562
If you live in Alberta and wish to obtain your Marriage License before you arrive in B.C. for your wedding, you simply plan a day trip to any town or city in B.C. and apply in that place. DO NOT pick up your Marriage License earlier than THREE MONTHS before you wedding. It is only valid for 3 months and will expire. To do so would mean you would have to re-purchase another license.
Arrange the Marriage Ceremony
In British Columbia, couples can choose a religious or civil ceremony, which must be witnessed by two people.
To perform the religious ceremony, you can choose a religious representative who must be registered with the Vital Statistics Agency, under the Marriage Act.
In BC, civil ceremonies are performed by marriage commissioners, who are appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Vital Statistics Agency
Register the Marriage
The marriage commissioner or religious representative who will perform the wedding ceremony will help complete the Marriage Registration Form. Within 48 hours of the wedding ceremony, the form will be sent to the Vital Statistics Agency, where the marriage will be registered and a legal record will be kept.
Proof of Marriage
At the time of the ceremony, your marriage commissioner or religious representative may provide a statement of marriage, which can be used temporarily as proof of marriage. However, it is not a legal document.
You will receive a legal Marriage Certificate from the Vital Statistics Agency after the registration of the marriage.
Which name can I use?
After marriage, you can continue using or choose to use your own surname at any time. You also gain the right to use your spouse's surname. This does not result in a legal change of name or any automatic change to your identification records.
If you choose to use hyphenated surnames, a legal Change of Name is required.
