Getting Started
You've already done the hard part...finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with!
Once you set your wedding date, it's best to contact a marriage commissioner as soon as possible. Every year there are "choice" wedding dates which are in high demand, especially during the summer months. Be sure to include the date, the location and the approximate time of the wedding in your email or phone message. We then set up a meeting on the phone, via video or in my home so we can get to know each other and discuss your wedding plans.
The steps in order to be legally married in Alberta are found at Vital Statistics: Getting Married.
1. Find someone to marry.
2. Determine the date, place and time for your wedding.
3. Find a marriage commissioner. Since you are on my website, pick me!
4. Get a marriage licence from an Alberta Registry Agent. Fees vary between registry offices.
The marriage licence is valid for 90 days. If you purchase it on March 1st, your wedding can take place anytime between then and June 1st.
Go to the registry together with a piece of government issued photo ID (passport, driver's license) and divorce documents if you have been married before. Both of you must be present to buy a marriage licence. You will need to know, among other things:
- your full legal names
- the dates and places of your births
- your parents' full legal names and their places of birth.
The registry agent will type up this information, give you a form and ask you to check it carefully. CHECK IT VERY CAREFULLY!! Check the spelling and the dates. Marriage commissioners cannot change information on the licence.
When you are sure everything is correct, give it back to the registry agent and make sure this person signs the bottom part of the licence. Don't fold the licence or get it dirty. Call ahead and make arrangements to drop it off at my home.
5. Get married! During the wedding, the marriage licence is signed by the couple, the two witnesses and the marriage commissioner. After the wedding, I will give you a document called a Civil Statement of Marriage. I mail the marriage licence to Service Alberta right away.
6. A few weeks later, one person can go to the registry and order your marriage certificate. If one of you wishes to change your name, you can start that process at that time.
7. Live happily ever after!