Obviously if you are planning a religious ceremony you will have a priest, pastor, minister, imam rabbi etc. marry you. Most religious venues have two wedding fees, one for a couple that is a part of the congregation and a higher one for those who do not regularly attend their service. Listen to their rules, some may not marry you otherwise.
But what if you are planning a non-religious ceremony? There are many different types of officiants, different names to call them & different rules to pertaining how they qualify to marry you in each province. Make sure the person you choose to marry you is legally recognized and registered The Marriage Act in your province. Read each provincial marriage act on our Links page.
Remember, Marriage Commissioners are not going to provide wedding planning, wedding consultation services, etc; anything which would be provided by commercial vendors. Likewise marriage commissioners and officiants etc. are not "in it for the money," but from a compassionate outlook. Often they do not earn a living wage from performing marriage ceremonies and supplement with legal work, social work or another profession.
Beware of fake officiants who just want your money or worse, your private information.
- Always meet before the wedding face to face (and before exchanging money)
- Ask for any video samples of weddings they have found
- Ask for reviews and testimonials from others they have married
- Ask for their wedding scripts
- Be comfortable with them, its your wedding
- Cross-reference them with the below lists (to double check its legal)
EVERYWHERE
- Civil service: Officiants who have been vetted by your province already
- Religious service: your registered religious representative of your choice or your congregation
ALBERTA
- Marriage Commissioner(s)
- Marriage Commissioner(s)
- Marriage Commissioner(s)
NEW BRUNSWICK
- Clerk of the Court of Queen's Bench
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
- Marriage Commissioner(s)
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
- Marriage Commissioner(s)
- Call NWT Health Services Administration Office toll-free at 1-800-661-0830 to find a marriage commissioner in your area
- Judges of Family or Provincial Court
- Justice of the Supreme Court
- Justice of the Peace
- Contact a Justice Centre & ask regarding the availability of a Justice of the Peace to marry you: Contacts List of Justice Centres in N.S.
- Listing of Justices of the Peace in N.S.
- Listing also available in-person at any location that will issue you, your marriage license
- Note: You cannot get a marriage license from a courthouse
NUNAVUT
- Marriage Commissioner(s)
- Ask for a list of suitable candidates when you apply for your marriage license
ONTARIO
- Judge or Justice of the Peace
- Officiant
- Judge of County Court
- prothonotary
- Marriage Commissioners
QUEBEC
- Clerk of Service
- Mayor
- Notary
- pre-authorized friend, family member, or close person
- This gets really complicated, please visit the Quebec page
SASKATCHEWAN
- Marriage Commissioner(s)
YUKON
- Marriage Commissioner(s)
- Lists of Marriage Commissioners are available at Whitehorse Vital Statistics
- Email: Vital.Statistics@gov.yk.ca
- Phone: 867-667-5207
Toll Free in Yukon only: 1-800-661-0408 ext. 5207 - In Person: 4th Floor-204 Lambert St.
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 3T2
MORE INFORMATION
Visit our sister site if you would like to find a way for a friend or family member to marry you:
