The legal steps for getting married in Canada, in order. Marriage licences are issued by each province or territory. Each province issues its own marriage licence, and Quebec uses a different process.
General guidance, not legal advice. Marriage rules are set by each province and territory, so fees, validity and waiting periods vary, and Quebec has a different process. Confirm specifics with your province's vital statistics office.
About 8 months before the wedding
Each province sets its own age (18 in Ontario and Alberta, 19 in British Columbia, with consent or a court order below that), ID, fees and rules for officiants. Marrying in Quebec? It's a different process with no licence: your celebrant publishes a notice at least 21 days before. Ask your celebrant or the provincial office first.
About 8 months before the wedding
Use a registered religious officiant or a civil officiant such as a marriage commissioner (British Columbia and Alberta). In Alberta you can also appoint a friend as a one-day marriage commissioner for a civil ceremony. Ask for their registration details.
About 9 weeks before the wedding
Usually two government-issued ID for each of you in Ontario, one with a photo, and primary ID in British Columbia. If either of you was married before, bring the divorce order or a death certificate.
About 14 days before the wedding
In Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta a licence is valid for 3 months, so don't get it more than 3 months ahead. Ontario: apply online and collect in person, at least 1 business day before the wedding. British Columbia: no waiting period. Alberta: no waiting period, so same-day is possible. Fees vary (about $40 to $100 plus local fees, as of writing).
Ontario: getting marriedAbout 14 days before the wedding
Two witnesses sign your licence or registration. In British Columbia witnesses must be over 19.
On the day
You, your officiant and your two witnesses sign the licence or registration straight after the ceremony. Give the licence to your officiant beforehand and decide who keeps it safe afterwards.
Within about 2 days after the wedding
In British Columbia the officiant submits the registration within 48 hours. In Alberta and Ontario they send it to the province's registry, so confirm it's been submitted.
Within about 4 weeks after the wedding
You can order the official certificate only after the marriage is registered. You'll need it to change your name on your health card, driver's licence, passport and bank accounts.