Marriage Licence Guide in Alberta: Everything You Need to Know
By Den Bosch Events
Most couples spend months choosing their florals, their venue, their dress. The legal paperwork? That usually gets left until the last minute. And then suddenly it's three weeks before the wedding and nobody is sure who picks up the licence or what they're even supposed to do with it.
This post covers everything you need to know about getting legally married in Alberta; from obtaining your licence to ordering your certificate after the wedding. Simple, clear, and in the right order.
One thing worth knowing before we get into it: in Alberta, you don't have to hire a professional officiant. A friend or family member can legally marry you. If that's something you're considering, we've written a full post on exactly how that works. But first, the licence!
First: The Difference Between a Licence and a Certificate
These are two different documents, and the confusion between them is one of the most common questions couples ask.
The marriage licence is what you obtain before the wedding and bring to the ceremony. It's what proves to your officiant and the province that you're legally eligible to marry.
The marriage certificate is what you order after the wedding. It's your official government issued proof that you are legally married.
You don't get the certificate automatically. It has to be applied for separately, after the ceremony. More on that below.
The Marriage Licence
Where to get it Marriage licences are issued at any Alberta registry agent office. You don't need to go to a specific location, any registry agent in the province can issue one.
You both have to go in person Both of you must apply together at the registry office. You cannot send one person ahead, and you cannot apply online.
What to bring
Valid government issued photo ID (driver's licence, passport, or permanent resident card)
Your parents' full names and birthplaces, including your mother's maiden name — check your birth certificate in advance, as couples are often caught off guard by this one
If previously divorced: your Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute
If previously widowed: no death certificate is required
Eligibility
Both individuals must be 18 or older
16–17 year olds may apply with consent from all parents and legal guardians
Under 16 cannot marry in Alberta
You cannot currently be married to anyone else
You cannot be related by whole blood, half blood, or adoption
You must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of application
Timing The licence is valid for 90 days from the date it's issued. There is no waiting period. You can legally get married the same day you pick it up. Most planners recommend getting it about a month or two before the wedding: early enough to be relaxed about it, not so early it could expire.
Cost The government fee is $40. Registry agents charge an additional service fee on top of this, which varies by location — some agents charge $30–50 more. Call your local registry office ahead of time to confirm the total cost.
Before you leave the registry office Check the document carefully for errors before walking out the door. Mistakes caught before the ceremony can be corrected by a registry agent on the spot. Mistakes found after the ceremony require an amendment through Vital Statistics, which takes time and additional fees.
The document itself The registry agent issues a two-part document. The top portion is the Registration of Marriage; the bottom portion is the marriage licence. The full document must be given to your officiant before the ceremony begins. Do not fold it. It is a permanent legal archive.
At the Ceremony
On the day, your officiant will complete the Registration of Marriage during or immediately after the ceremony. It must be signed by both of you, your two witnesses, and your officiant.
Two witnesses are required. They must be 18 or older, physically present, and capable of understanding what they are witnessing. They cannot be the couple or the officiant.
The ceremony must take place in Alberta. An Alberta marriage licence is only valid within the province.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant is responsible for mailing the Registration of Marriage (the top portion of the document) to Alberta Vital Statistics within 48 hours of the ceremony. This is how your marriage becomes an official registered record. Your officiant retains the licence portion for their own records.
You don't need to worry about registering the marriage yourself. That's on your officiant.
Ordering Your Marriage Certificate
Once your marriage has been registered, you can order your official certificate. This does not happen automatically.
To order, complete the Application for Marriage Documents form and bring it to a registry agent office. The government fee is $20, plus additional service fees that vary by agent.
Processing through Vital Statistics takes approximately 3 business days once they receive the application, but factor in mailing and delivery time on either end. Most couples receive their certificate within 3–6 weeks of applying.
Your officiant may give you an informal certificate on the day of the wedding. That's a meaningful keepsake, but it is not official proof of marriage. Only the government issued certificate is.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
No residency or citizenship requirement. You don't have to be an Alberta resident to get married here. Couples can come from anywhere in Canada or internationally, obtain a licence, and get married in Alberta without issue.
Getting married outside Alberta? If your wedding is in BC, Montana, or anywhere outside Alberta, you must follow the marriage laws of that location. Not Alberta's. Rules vary significantly between provinces and across the border. BC, for example, has a different process for officiants entirely. If you're getting married in the Rockies, confirm which side of the provincial line your venue sits on.
The Checklist
Confirm you're both eligible
Gather your documents (ID, parents' info, divorce papers if applicable)
Go to a registry agent office together, within 90 days of your wedding
Review the document for errors before leaving
Give the full document to your officiant before the ceremony
Ensure your officiant submits the Registration of Marriage within 48 hours
Apply for your official marriage certificate at a registry office after the wedding
The legal side of getting married doesn't need to be stressful.
Den Bosch Events is a wedding planning and coordination company based in Southern Alberta, serving couples across the region and beyond. Questions about your ceremony logistics? We're happy to help.
