--- title: "Marriage licence in British Columbia: cost and how to apply" url: "https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/british-columbia" description: "Get a marriage licence in British Columbia. Buy the licence in person from a marriage licence issuer in your area. Compare all 13 provinces and territories." site: "Canada Service Map" author: "Mahmoud Halat" publisher: "Space & Story" lastReviewed: "2026-10-13" licence: "Built entirely from public data: open data and official government pages. Each record keeps the licence of its source, listed at https://canadaservicemap.ca/data." --- # Marriage licence in British Columbia: cost and how to apply British Columbia · Family and children Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked 13 October 2026. Not a government website. The official page always has the final word. ## Short answer In B.C. you buy a marriage licence in person from a local marriage licence issuer within 3 months before the wedding. Only one partner needs to go, with primary ID for both people. The licence costs $100, includes your first marriage certificate and is printed on the spot. There is no waiting period, and you need 19 or older to marry without parental consent. Who handles it: [Vital Statistics Agency (Government of British Columbia), through local marriage licence issuers](https://canadaservicemap.ca/bodies/the-government-of-british-columbia). Handles it in British Columbia. Buy the licence in person from a marriage licence issuer in your area. ## Official links - [Get a marriage licence](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 12 October 2026 ## Who can apply - You must be at least 19 to marry without parental consent. People aged 16 to 18 can marry with written consent from parents or guardians. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. - If you were recently divorced, wait until the divorce order takes effect before buying a licence. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. ## Steps 1. Only one partner has to apply, in person, showing primary ID for both people. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. ## What you need - Primary ID includes a birth certificate, immigration form, permanent resident card or citizenship card. The issuer may accept a passport or driver's licence in some cases. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. ## Cost - A marriage licence costs $100 and cannot be refunded. The price includes your first marriage certificate, which is mailed after the marriage is registered. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. ## How long it takes - Buy the licence within 3 months before your wedding date. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. - The issuer prints the licence while you wait, and you can marry as soon as you have it. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. ## Where to go - Buy the licence from a marriage licence issuer in your area. B.C. has an online search to find one. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. ## Good to know - A licensed marriage commissioner or religious official must perform the ceremony, with two witnesses aged 19 or older. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. ## In every province and territory The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. British Columbia is marked. | Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know | |---|---|---|---| | British Columbia (this page) | Vital Statistics Agency (Government of British Columbia), through local marriage licence issuers | [Get a marriage licence](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 12 October 2026 | Buy the licence in person from a marriage licence issuer in your area. | | [Alberta](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/alberta) | Alberta registry agents (Government of Alberta) | [Get a marriage licence](https://www.alberta.ca/get-marriage-licence), checked 12 October 2026 | Buy at any registry agent office. | | [Saskatchewan](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/saskatchewan) | Marriage licence issuers (Government of Saskatchewan) | [How to get a marriage licence](https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces/marriages/get-a-marriage-licence), checked 12 October 2026 | Buy from a marriage licence issuer, often a jewellery store or town office; out-of-province licences are not valid. | | [Manitoba](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/manitoba) | Vital Statistics Branch (Government of Manitoba), through registered marriage licence issuers | [How to get a licence](https://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/getting_married.html), checked 12 October 2026 | Both partners buy the licence in person from a registered issuer at least 24 hours before the wedding. | | [Ontario](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/ontario) | Your municipal office (city or town hall) | [Get a marriage licence](https://www.ontario.ca/page/getting-married), checked 12 October 2026 | Apply at your city or town hall; some municipalities also take applications online. | | [Quebec](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/quebec) | Gouvernement du Québec | None on record | Québec has no marriage licence; your officiant publishes a notice of the marriage before the ceremony. | | [New Brunswick](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/new-brunswick) | Vital Statistics (Service New Brunswick) | [Apply for a marriage licence](https://www.pxw1.snb.ca/snb9000/product.aspx?productid=A001PSN6001), checked 12 October 2026 | Fill in the application, then both partners go together to a Service New Brunswick centre with ID. | | [Nova Scotia](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/nova-scotia) | Vital Statistics (Service Nova Scotia) | [How to get a licence](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-marriage-licence), checked 12 October 2026 | Buy in person at Access Nova Scotia or from a Deputy Issuer of Marriage Licences. | | [Prince Edward Island](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/prince-edward-island) | Vital Statistics (Government of PEI), issued at Access PEI | None on record | Licences are issued by appointment at Access PEI offices. | | [Newfoundland and Labrador](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/newfoundland-and-labrador) | Vital Statistics Division (Government Services), through local marriage licence issuers | [How to get a licence](https://www.gov.nl.ca/gs/birth/getting-married/), checked 12 October 2026 | Apply in person to a marriage licence issuer; only one partner needs to attend. | | [Yukon](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/yukon) | Vital Statistics (Government of Yukon) | None on record | Both partners apply in person: by appointment at Vital Statistics in Whitehorse, or from a Territorial Agent elsewhere. | | [Northwest Territories](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/northwest-territories) | Registrar General of Vital Statistics and community Marriage License Issuers (Department of Health and Social Services) | [Get a marriage licence](https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/get-marriage-license), checked 12 October 2026 | Both people must attend, usually by appointment with an issuer. | | [Nunavut](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/nunavut) | Nunavut Vital Statistics (Department of Health) | [Get a marriage licence](https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/identification-and-certificates/marriage-licences), checked 12 October 2026 | | ## Questions people ask ### How much is a marriage licence in B.C.? $100, and it is not refundable. It includes your first marriage certificate, which is mailed after the marriage is registered. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. ### Is there a waiting period after getting a marriage licence in B.C.? No. The licence is printed when you buy it and you can marry right away, as long as the wedding is within 3 months. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. ### Do both of us need to go to get a B.C. marriage licence? No. One of you can apply in person, but you must bring primary ID for both people getting married. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. ### What if I lose my B.C. marriage licence? Go back to the place where you bought it and ask for a replacement. Source: [gov.bc.ca](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage/marriage-licences), checked 13 October 2026. ## Where to go in person - Provincial service centres: [Vancouver, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/vancouver) (1), [Surrey, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/surrey) (1), [Burnaby, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/burnaby) (1), [Kelowna, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/kelowna) (1), [Nanaimo, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/nanaimo) (1), [Kamloops, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/kamloops) (1), [Chilliwack, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/chilliwack) (1), [Victoria, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/victoria) (1), [Maple Ridge, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/maple-ridge) (1), [Prince George, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/prince-george) (1) ## More - [Get a marriage licence in every province and territory](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence) - [Public services in British Columbia](https://canadaservicemap.ca/provinces/british-columbia) - [Canada Child Benefit (CCB)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/canada-child-benefit) - [Maternity and parental benefits](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/ei-parental) - [Register a baby's birth](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/register-birth) - [Get help paying for child care](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/child-care-subsidy) - [Find licensed child care or daycare](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/find-child-care) - [Collect child or spousal support](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/child-support-enforcement) ## Cite this page Canada Service Map, "Marriage licence in British Columbia: cost and how to apply", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/british-columbia