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How to get married in BC

August 13, 2013 By Barbara Densmore 2 Comments

Content updated Nov 30, 2022.

 

Getting married in BC is simpler than in many other places in the world.

How do we get a Marriage Licence?

Getting a marriage license in BC is simple and easy. They are available at selected London Drugs customer service counters, Insurance offices, Service BC locations, or Notaries Public. To find one near you, click here.

Only one person needs to apply, but they must take identification for both. According to the BC government website:

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

Other documents may also be accepted.

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 official site has more in-depth information.

Chris Boar Photography

How long does it take to get a marriage licence in BC?

There’s no waiting period here like there is in some other parts of the world. You can get your licence the same day you are married (but you might want to be careful of that…not all licencing offices are open every day.

 

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We are eloping. Do we need witnesses?

Every ceremony, to be legal, needs 2 witnesses. But even if you are eloping…you are never alone…everybody loves a wedding…:)

I can also (depending upon the location) provide a couple of enthusiastic seniors who will come and witness your ceremony (and give you a big hug, if you want).

 

Chelsea Dawn Photography

What if we are divorced? Do we need paperwork?

Some parts of the world want to see your divorce papers in order to provide a licence. Here in BC, you will be asked if you are recently divorced, and licences will not be granted to people who have been legally divorced for less than a month. If you are planning a date now, avoid stress by finding out how long the processing wait is…don’t make any assumptions.

 

Darshan Alexander Photography

How long do we need to wait to get the final certificate?

I’ll send you a PDF of the completed licence, so you have it in a pinch.

Vital Stats says expect to wait 3 weeks for the final certificate to arrive….which is pretty fast…:) A bit longer in the summer, and shorter in off/shoulder season. Please note: the process cannot be rushed/expedited if you have emigration issues.

The official site has more information.

 

Neville Black Photography

We want Uncle Harry to marry us. How can he legally do that?

Unlike in the USA, Uncle Harry can’t get a magic piece of paper that will transform him into either a JP or a Minister for a day. But here are a couple of options.

I’ve used my normal process of co-creating with couples, and then delivered the ceremony in front of their “officiant”. Most stand-ins appreciate this since delivering a ceremony is very different than public speaking, and it can be uber stressful for folks with no experience. Then I hand my script over and off you go.

If your heart (or your wallet) is really set on writing your own ceremony, then perhaps a Marriage Commissioner can look after the legal part of the ceremony while Uncle does the ceremonial aspect. (ask first if s/he is open to it…summer Saturdays tend to be uber-busy and s/he simply may not be able to help you. There are also restrictions to what s/he can/can’t do…best to ask a Marriage Commissioner to explain.)


Jon-Mark Photography

We want to get married without a ceremony.

Planning to skip directly to the party? (giggle) Well, what marries you IS the ceremony…It’s the only thing you need to get married (along with the licence), someone who wants to marry you, and 2 witnesses. The quickest and easiest route to a legal marriage ceremony might be a Marriage Commissioner, because they are plentiful and in every community. Just google that term and your town/city and the local list should pop up.

How far ahead should we be booking an officiant?

Well, there’s nothing more stressful after you’ve sent out the invitations than to find that you can’t find anyone to marry you…that everyone is booked already. Surprisingly, that happens a LOT. Even if the ceremony is not that important to you, it’s the ONLY thing you need to have (well, and a licence and someone who wants to marry you, too..:)

Prime times (Saturday afternoons between 2 and 5) are snapped up pretty quickly by early birds…popular officiants can easily be booked a year in advance. That said, if you are outside those times, you can breathe a little easier. (But still, to save yourself time, grief, and $$, get your ceremony arranged when you book your venue.)

Kim Kalyn Photography

 

Can a Celebrant legally marry you?

Yes, if s/he is also licensed wedding officiant/minister, approved by the province. You can ask to see our credentials, but I can offer you this: a website, testimonials, and reviews will all help you verify if someone is legit. But if you are unsure, ask. I once got a phone call from a bride, in tears b/c she booked “a wedding officiant” off Craigslist (no offense meant to this excellent site), who disappeared with her deposit. Fly-by-nighters don’t put up websites..:(

Just a note: Celebrants tend to charge more because of our specialized training and level of service. If someone says they are a celebrant, check to ensure that they have the credentials to justify the cost (like this).

 

Chris Boar Photography

How do I change my name?

Regardless of sex or gender, you can choose to take one partner’s last name after marriage. There’s no legal paperwork required.

However, you will need to provide a copy of your wedding documentation in order to change major identity items such as bank accounts, SIN and Driver’s Licence. Other service providers may simply require a phone call or allow a change to be made via their website.

If you and your spouse are planning hyphenated names, alas – such simplicity is not to be had. You will have to undertake a legal name change process.

 

Licence or License?

Americans use license as both a noun and a verb.

The rest of the world uses license (verb) and licence (noun). Kind of like practise (v) /practice (n).

This is, of course, for you grammar nuts….:)

 

Question not answered here?

Then check out this post...with more specific info.

Filed Under: Weddings Tagged With: BC, celebrant, Marriage licence, marriage license, married name, officiant, witnesses

Comments

  1. Blair Thimer says

    January 19, 2023 at 5:58 am

    Hello Barbara

    My Thai fiancé and I would like to get married
    ASAP without ceremony. We will do ceremony at a later date. When we can arrange families to be together. We have been together 5 years this April. She is here now on 3rf trip to BC. She has brought a file of documents
    which aloe her marry etc. I would like to hire you to help us speed this along

    Regards
    Blair Thimer

  2. admin says

    January 19, 2023 at 1:38 pm

    Hi Blair!
    I’ve just replied to you in an email.
    If there’s nothing in your inbox, check your spam folder.

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Ashley McCrae
Ashley McCrae
2023-09-01
Barbara was hands-down a phenomenal officiant of our wedding!! Don’t be intimidated by the “homework” she gives you because she will turn your answers into the most beautiful, personal, and oh-so-special ceremony. We absolutely loved what she put together for us and we received so many compliments from guests (and our parents!) afterward that it was the BEST wedding ceremony they’ve EVER been to! She is one of the first things we mention when people ask about our wedding and we cannot thank her enough for helping to create such a memorable day!! Barbara deserves all the stars and then some, we could not recommend her enough!
Cody Walsh
Cody Walsh
2023-08-13
This lovely woman was exactly the low-stress and emotionally fluent genius needed to coordinate, manage, and finally officiate our incredibly special day. I truly cannot recommend higher ! Thank you so much Barbara for all you did to get to know us, our story, and our families. We love you!
Julie Levasseur
Julie Levasseur
2023-08-12
Barbara is so much more than an officiant. Her seasoned, thorough and thoughtful approach helped us create a ceremony experience that was equal parts personal and FUN! From our initial consult, to day-of, as well as following-up after our wedding, we can’t thank Barbara enough for her care and attention. She’s simply the best!
Sachin Khona (Creative)
Sachin Khona (Creative)
2023-08-04
I had the pleasure of working with Barbara at a wedding yesterday and she was an absolute delight to work with. We literally met 5 minutes before the ceremony and she ran the elopement so smoothly and beautifully, taking into consideration the stories of the couple and even included in some First Nations Rituals and Jewish traditions for Susan and Inka. As a photographer, hiring an officiant is such an important decision to make as they really create and bring the energy to a ceremony. You won't go wrong picking Barbara! 10/10 I look forward to documenting another wedding with you soon Barbara! Big hugs, Sachin
Anthony Price
Anthony Price
2023-08-03
JUST AMAZING! It's really hard to describe just how amazing Barbara is at what she does. She walked my now wife and I through ever step of the process. The creation of our ceremony, the vows and everything came together perfectly. Barbara is a master at making any special event so personal and unique to who you are. Thank-you so much Barbra!! Love Ant & Meg
Michelle R
Michelle R
2023-07-17
Barbara officiated our wedding at the Vow Cabin. The ceremony was everything I always dreamed of. Funny and heartwarming. Barbara is truly brilliant and so so good at what she does. The ceremony was so personal and unique to us. I felt so relaxed during the ceremony and I really appreciate that she reminded us to be present and really take in the moment. I really appreciate the care that Barbara put into writing our ceremony. Truly the best.
Athena Mills
Athena Mills
2023-07-13
Our wedding ceremony with Barbara was excellent. It was intimate and personal, but also light hearted and funny in a way that celebrated our love without taking away from the gravity of the commitment we were making to each-other. Barbara also included our friends and family in all the right moments to create some wonderful lasting memories. It was a really special day and Barbara played a huge role in it, I cannot recommend her enough!
stephen wynnyk
stephen wynnyk
2023-06-27
Barbara was a spectacular celebrant for our wedding. She works with you to create a wonderful, authentic ceremony. Barb had tons of unique quirks she suggested, which made our ceremony unique. She also had a sterling reputation with our vendors, so our ceremony was perfectly coordinated with our photographer (Tulle & Tweed Photography) and videographers (Paper Heart Films). Barb's words brought us and our guests to tears! You can feel her presence with every word. I cannot recommend her enough.
Cameron Freshwater
Cameron Freshwater
2023-06-10
Barbara is an amazingly thoughtful, patient and professional officiant. She made what could have been an extremely stressful situation an absolute breeze. She helped us design a ceremony that matched our personalities perfectly and truly made our day special.
amanda P
amanda P
2023-01-31
Barbara was a delight to work with. From the very beginning she was personable, easy to talk to and supportive. She turned our ideas into a magical wedding ceremony for us that exceeded our expectations. It was a whimsical night for us.
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