How to Get a Marriage Licence in Canada: Province-by-Province Guide (2026)

Published: July 30, 2026 Last reviewed: July 30, 2026.

A marriage licence authorizes a ceremony; it is not the certificate you order after the marriage is registered. Because marriage is administered by provinces and territories, the issuing office, fee, waiting period and identification rules depend on where the ceremony takes place.

This is general planning information, not legal advice. Confirm the current rules with the issuing authority and, where necessary, a qualified professional.

Start with the location of the ceremony

Apply in the province or territory where the wedding will happen—not automatically where you live. Build the licence into the planning timeline, but do not buy it too early: many Canadian licences expire after three months. Confirm that your officiant is authorized in that jurisdiction and that the licence will still be valid on the ceremony date.

Current province-by-province planning table

Jurisdiction	Verified planning point	What to confirm
Ontario	Licence is valid for three months. Two pieces of government ID are required for each person; an online application still requires pickup from a participating municipality.	Municipal fee, pickup appointment and accepted original ID.
British Columbia	One partner may apply in person with primary ID for both. The provincial fee is $100 and the licence is valid for three months.	Issuer location, two witnesses aged 19 or older and an authorized officiant.
Alberta	No residency or citizenship requirement. Both partners normally attend a registry agent together; there is no waiting period and the licence is valid for three months.	$40 government fee plus the registry agent service fee.
Saskatchewan	The published fee is $60. The licence becomes effective the day after purchase and is valid for 90 days.	Issuer hours, acceptable identification and any special documentation.
Manitoba	Both partners attend and the licence must be obtained at least 24 hours before the ceremony. It remains valid for three months.	Current fee and local issuer availability.
Quebec	The process centres on an authorized officiant and normally includes publication of a marriage notice for 20 days.	Publication exemption, required documents and the officiant’s authorization.
New Brunswick	The province publishes a $115 marriage-licence fee and requires an authorized officiant.	Service location, identification and document requirements.
Nova Scotia	Non-residents may apply. The published fee is $132.70; the licence is valid for three months and the ceremony needs two witnesses aged 16 or older.	Appointment, identification and divorce/widowhood documents if applicable.
Prince Edward Island	Both partners attend; the fee is $100 and the licence is valid for three months. Non-residents follow the same process.	Appointment availability and registered officiant.
Newfoundland and Labrador	The province publishes current lists of marriage-licence issuers and commissioners.	Contact a listed issuer directly for current fee, timing and documents.
Northwest Territories	The published fee is $65; one partner can apply in person and the licence is valid for three months.	Issuer availability and ceremony documentation.
Yukon and Nunavut	Local Vital Statistics confirmation is essential, especially for remote communities.	Current issuer, lead time, fee, travel logistics and officiant authorization.

Documents to prepare

Original government-issued identification for both partners.
Proof of divorce or a former spouse’s death where required.
Certified translations when a document is not in an accepted language.
Correct legal names, birthplaces and parents’ details as requested.
The ceremony location, date and authorized officiant.

A low-risk licence timeline

Three to six months out: open the official page and identify the correct issuer.
Six to eight weeks out: confirm ID, special documents, appointments and officiant registration.
Inside the validity window: obtain the licence and check every name and date immediately.
Before the ceremony: give the licence to the officiant and confirm who supplies witnesses.
Afterward: the officiant submits registration documents; order the official certificate separately when the record is available.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not assume an online form completes the entire process, that a licence bought in one province works in another, or that a friend may legally perform the ceremony without authorization. Avoid relying on an old fee shown by a venue or blog. The official government page and the issuing office are the controlling sources.