THE MARRIAGE LICENSE

To get married in BC you must have a Marriage License.

WHERE AND HOW CAN I GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE

Marriage licenses can be obtained in person, at a non-refundable cost of $100, from issuers appointed by the Director of Vital Statistics.

· Marriage license issuers are located in almost every community. (EG AUTOPLAN/LONDON DRUGS) Their names and phone numbers can be obtained by contacting the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency in Victoria at (250) 952-2681 or in Vancouver at (604) 660-2937 or their Web site at www.hlth.gov.bc.ca/vs

You will need two pieces of ID for both of you, one of which must be Photo ID.

You will be asked to produce the following documents pertaining to yourself and/or your future spouse:

1.  birth certificate and/or passport/drivers license, and,  if previously married, the original or a nota­rized copy of the divorce certificate or decree absolute.

2. Personal Health/Care Card number ·

3. 3.An applicant whose spouse is presumed to be deceased must meet the terms of, and pre­sent a ‘Presumption of Death’ order.
   

4. 4.IF divorced you will need you “Decree Absolute” or proof of divorce
   

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE?

· Anyone who is 19 years of age or older and meets the requirements of the Prohibited Degrees of Consanguinity (the blood relationships between relatives who are disallowed to marry) may obtain a license.

· Anyone under 19 years of age may be married if he or she obtains the necessary written consent on the consent of Parent or Guardian to Marriage form. (A judge may use his or her discretion and waive this form.) No one under 16 years of age may be married without the consent of the Supreme or County Court,

· There is no waiting period for a license, and applicants do not have to be residents of British Columbia

· Those who are under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, and those who are declared mentally incompetent, will not be granted a license to marry or have a marriage solemnized.

No blood tests are required

HOW LONG IS THE LICENSE VALID?

· The license is valid for 90 days only therefore the marriage must take place within three months after the purchase of the marriage license.

· After the wedding your Officiate is responsible for mailing the completed and signed license to the Division of Vital Statistics.

· Expect a 3 – 6 week processing and delivery of your Proof of Marriage by mail to the address stated on the license.

REGISTERING THE MARRIAGE ?

After the ceremony, your Officiate will send the signed, dated and witnessed Marriage License to the Vital Statistics Agency where the marriage is registered and a legal record is made.

PROOF OF MARRIAGE?

After your marriage ceremony, the Officiate should give you a certificate which is a commemorative record of your marriage. However it is not accepted as proof of marriage by agencies such as Immigration.

After the marriage ceremony, an official Marriage Certificate or Proof of Marriage will be mailed to you automatically. The cost for this certificate is included in the Marriage License fee. If you require or need an additional marriage certificate, please contact the BC Vital Statistics Agency to obtain an application form.

WHICH NAME DO I USE AFTER THE WEDDING?

After a marriage, the bride or groom may: a) Use the surname (family name) he or she had immediately before the marriage, b) Use the surname (family name) he or she had at birth or by adoption, c) Use the surname (family name) of his or her spouse by marriage.

CAN I HAVE A COMBINED SURNAME?

If a person wishes to use a new combined or hyphenated surname, for example a surname that combines the surnames of both the bride and the groom, a legal change of name will be required.

HOW DO I CHANGE MY SURNAME?

Once you receive your official “Proof of Marriage” from the BC Division of Vital Statistics you can initiate a name change. EG License, Passport, Land Titles, Estates etc

Remember to bring the License to the rehearsal along with the attached and completed parental info form.