How to Order Your Marriage Certificate

Once you’ve been legally married, the person conducting your marriage ceremony files the signed marriage licence with Vital Statistics in that province. The Vital Statistics offices always keep your marriage licence on file as legal proof of your marriage. Couples married in BC automatically receive their official marriage certificate, also called a certified copy of the marriage certificate, about 3 weeks after the ceremony. If you were married in any other province, apply to that Vital Statistics office for your official marriage certificate.

A marriage certificate is different from a record of solemnization, which you may have received on your wedding day. Marriage certificates are essential when changing names and may also be required for insurance or any other situation where you need to legally prove your relationship. Many organizations will insist on a marriage certificate issued by Vital Stats or a Canadian court instead of a religious certificate.

Marriage certificates are managed at a provincial level. Each provincial Vital Statistics office has its own forms, fees and ordering process. We can provide the marriage certificate application form and full instructions for your province via the button below, or get the form on your provincial vital statistics website. A certified copy of your marriage certificate generally costs between $20 (AB) and $55 (SK).

DOWNLOAD MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE APPLICATION FORM

Ready to use your new name?

There’s no official registration of your married name. Simply start using it! Where an organization requires proof you can usually show your official marriage certificate. Some companies may instead request to see updated photo identification. Each company sets its own name change process and proof requirements, so you may have a number of letters, emails and special forms to send in. Get ready to send name change paperwork for all your organizations in just 10 minutes. Just click the button below.

GET NAME CHANGE PAPERWORK

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