How it works

You must get an Alberta marriage licence before you can get married in Alberta.

A marriage licence shows a marriage officiant that all the laws in Alberta have been met and the couple can get married.

Alberta Marriage Licences are available from a registry agent office.

A registry agent issues a 2-part document. The top part is a Registration of Marriage and the bottom part is the marriage licence:

• the full document (Registration of Marriage and Marriage Licence) must be given to the marriage officiant that will be performing the marriage
• the document must be kept in good condition and not folded as the document will be permanently archived

Application Guidelines

• a couple must apply together for their marriage licence – some exceptions may apply, check with a registry agent for details
• a couple cannot be under the influence of a drug or alcohol when applying
• there’s no time period that must pass between the date a couple arrives in Alberta and the date a licence is issued
• there are no residency requirements
• there are no citizenship requirements
• blood tests are not required
• banns, which are postings or announcements in a church, aren’t acceptable in place of a marriage licence
• in Alberta a person cannot marry his/her grandparent, parent, child, sibling or grandchild that is related by whole blood, half blood or adoption
• the couple getting married must swear/affirm one or more affidavits
• the couple getting married must provide their parents’ birth places and full names (including mother’s maiden name)
• when either person getting married is hearing, speech or visually impaired, additional requirements may apply – check with a registry agent for details
• When either person getting married is cognitively impaired and has a court ordered guardian appointed, additional requirements apply – check with a registry agent for details

After you receive your marriage licence

• a licence is valid for 3 months from the date it’s issued
• an Alberta Marriage Licence is only valid for an Alberta marriage – the wedding must take place in Alberta
• a wedding may take place the same day a marriage licence is issued – there is no waiting time

Interpreters

• both persons getting married must be fluent in English; otherwise an interpreter is needed
  • when the registry agent employee issuing the marriage licence is fluent in the other language, then that registry agent employee may be the interpreter and issue the marriage licence
• when an interpreter is needed, it’s the couple’s responsibility to provide one
  • an interpreter must be 18 years of age or older
  • the interpreter must be fluent in both English and the language requiring translation
• the couple applying for a marriage licence cannot interpret/translate for each other

Costs

• There is a $40 government fee for the Marriage Licence.
• Registry agents will charge a service fee.
• Contact a registry agent office as service fees vary.
• You must pay for the Marriage Licence before you receive it.