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Manitoba · Family and children

Marriage licence in Manitoba: cost and how to apply

Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked

Short answer

In Manitoba both partners must go together to a registered marriage licence issuer and buy the licence at least 24 hours before the wedding. Bring valid original ID showing identity, age and name, and proof of divorce or a spouse's death if it applies. The licence costs $100, is valid for three months and only for a wedding in Manitoba.

Who handles it

Vital Statistics Branch (Government of Manitoba), through registered marriage licence issuers

Handles it in Manitoba.

Both partners buy the licence in person from a registered issuer at least 24 hours before the wedding.

Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.

Steps

  1. Both partners must be present to buy the licence from a registered issuer in their area. Vital Statistics publishes lists of issuers in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba.

    Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

  2. Before the ceremony, give the licence and the white self-addressed envelope to your marriage commissioner or clergy. After the ceremony they send the registration to Vital Statistics.

    Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

What you need

  • Each partner needs valid, unexpired original ID that proves identity, age and name, such as a driver's licence, passport, PR card, MPI ID card or Status card. A SIN is not accepted.

    Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

  • Divorced people must show a Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute. Widowed people show a death certificate, a funeral home statement of death or an obituary.

    Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

Cost

  • The marriage licence costs $100. A marriage commissioner charges $50 plus reasonable expenses such as travel.

    Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

How long it takes

  • Buy the licence at least 24 hours before the wedding. It is valid for three months and only for marriages in Manitoba.

    Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

Good to know

  • Read the whole form before you sign the oath and make sure every field is correct, because the registration becomes a permanent legal record that is hard to change.

    Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

  • A marriage certificate is not issued automatically. You have to apply for it separately.

    Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

  • Documents must be in English or French, or translated into one of them.

    Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

Questions people ask

How much is a marriage licence in Manitoba?

$100. If a marriage commissioner performs the ceremony, add their $50 fee plus reasonable expenses such as travel. Clergy fees are set by each religious group.

Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

How far ahead do I need to get a marriage licence in Manitoba?

At least 24 hours before the wedding, and no more than three months before, since the licence is only valid for three months.

Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

Do both partners need to be there to get a Manitoba marriage licence?

Yes. Both of you must be present at the registered issuer, each with valid ID.

Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

Can I use my SIN card as ID for a Manitoba marriage licence?

No. Social Insurance Numbers are not accepted. Use a driver's licence, passport, PR card, MPI ID card or other photo ID.

Source: vitalstats.gov.mb.cachecked #

In every province and territory

The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. Manitoba is marked.

Province or territoryWho handles itOfficial linkGood to know
British ColumbiaVital Statistics Agency (Government of British Columbia), through local marriage licence issuersGet a marriage licencechecked Buy the licence in person from a marriage licence issuer in your area.
AlbertaAlberta registry agents (Government of Alberta)Get a marriage licencechecked Buy at any registry agent office.
SaskatchewanMarriage licence issuers (Government of Saskatchewan)How to get a marriage licencechecked Buy from a marriage licence issuer, often a jewellery store or town office; out-of-province licences are not valid.
ManitobaThis pageVital Statistics Branch (Government of Manitoba), through registered marriage licence issuersHow to get a licencechecked Both partners buy the licence in person from a registered issuer at least 24 hours before the wedding.
OntarioYour municipal office (city or town hall)Get a marriage licencechecked Apply at your city or town hall; some municipalities also take applications online.
QuebecGouvernement du QuébecNone on recordQuébec has no marriage licence; your officiant publishes a notice of the marriage before the ceremony.
New BrunswickVital Statistics (Service New Brunswick)Apply for a marriage licencechecked Fill in the application, then both partners go together to a Service New Brunswick centre with ID.
Nova ScotiaVital Statistics (Service Nova Scotia)How to get a licencechecked Buy in person at Access Nova Scotia or from a Deputy Issuer of Marriage Licences.
Prince Edward IslandVital Statistics (Government of PEI), issued at Access PEINone on recordLicences are issued by appointment at Access PEI offices.
Newfoundland and LabradorVital Statistics Division (Government Services), through local marriage licence issuersHow to get a licencechecked Apply in person to a marriage licence issuer; only one partner needs to attend.
YukonVital Statistics (Government of Yukon)None on recordBoth partners apply in person: by appointment at Vital Statistics in Whitehorse, or from a Territorial Agent elsewhere.
Northwest TerritoriesRegistrar General of Vital Statistics and community Marriage License Issuers (Department of Health and Social Services)Get a marriage licencechecked Both people must attend, usually by appointment with an issuer.
NunavutNunavut Vital Statistics (Department of Health)Get a marriage licencechecked

Cite this page

Canada Service Map, "Marriage licence in Manitoba: cost and how to apply", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/marriage-licence/manitoba