Marriage License Information 

An alphabetical listing of state/province laws related to obtaining a marriage license.


A-E (Alabama - District of Columbia)

F-I  (Florida - Iowa)                                J-M (Kansas - Montana)

N-O  (Nebraska - Oregon)                       P-W (Pennsylvania - Wyoming)
Canada

 

British Columbia

As a result of a BC Appeal Court’s decision, same sex marriage is legal in British Columbia, effective July 8, 2003.  All existing requirements for getting married in BC remain in effect for same sex marriages in the province. If you are coming to BC to get married, please contact the appropriate authorities in the jurisdiction where you are a resident to determine whether your marriage will be recognized.

Detailed information on how to get married in British Columbia follows.

Applying for a Marriage License

  • The Marriage Act requires that you obtain a Marriage License before getting married in British Columbia. The license does not mean that you are married, but that you may get married any time during the three-month term of the license.
  • The bride or groom must apply in person to the Marriage License Issuer in your community (click here to search for a location near you).
  • Only one member of the couple needs to apply for the license, but you will be asked to provide identification for both the bride and the groom. Information required with identification will include:
    • Full name, including given names
    • Birth date and birth place
    • Marital status
    • Current address
  • A fee must be paid at the time of application.
  • The license will be issued at the time of application, and is valid for three months from the time of issuance.
  • Marriage Licenses are not refundable.

Who can get married?

  • Anyone over 19 years of age is eligible to apply for a marriage license in British Columbia.
  • Anyone under 19 years of age must first obtain the consent of both parents. Your local Marriage License Issuer has the required consent forms or the form can be downloaded here.
  • No one under the age of 16 years can be married without the consent of the Supreme or County Court.
  • You do not have to be a B.C. resident in order to be married here, but the license is only valid in this province.
  • Blood tests are not required under B.C. legislation.
  • If one or both of the intended parties was recently divorced (within the last 31 days), proof of divorce must be provided.
  • No license may be issued until a divorce has been finalized by the courts (this is normally 31 days after the divorce decree has been issued by the courts).

 


                                                                        A-E  F-I  J-M    N-O   P-W Canada