Who Can Officiate A Wedding In Canada: Family Members?

Can a family member officiate a wedding in Canada?

In Canada, weddings are governed by the government of each province, and the laws vary across provinces. In Alberta, any Canadian permanent resident over the age of 18 can officiate a wedding for their family or friends within the province. The resident must apply to become a temporary marriage commissioner and can only perform a non-religious ceremony on one specified day, free of cost. In Ontario, a person must be ordained by an organization approved by the province and must have a contract with the province to license their members to perform weddings.

Who can officiate a wedding in Alberta?

In Alberta, Canada, there are several options for who can officiate a wedding.

Any Canadian permanent resident over the age of 18 can apply to become a temporary marriage commissioner and officiate a wedding. This is a free process and the temporary appointment lasts for one day, during which the person can perform up to three non-religious civil marriage ceremonies for family or friends. They cannot charge a fee, and they cannot represent themselves as a permanent marriage commissioner or solicit business.

Alternatively, a registered clergy person can officiate a religious wedding ceremony. To do so, they must be registered with Vital Statistics.

Civil marriage commissioners, appointed by the Alberta government, can also officiate civil ceremonies for the community and area in which they reside.

It is important to note that "Zoom" weddings or other teleconferencing arrangements where the officiant is not physically present are not permitted in Alberta.

What is a temporary marriage commissioner?

A temporary marriage commissioner is a role appointed by the Alberta Government. They are authorised to perform civil or non-religious marriage ceremonies for one day only. The role is typically given to adults living in Canada who are a judge, a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, a member of the House of Commons, a former permanent marriage commissioner of Alberta, or an active or permanent marriage commissioner for a Canadian jurisdiction.

To become a temporary marriage commissioner, you must be a permanent resident of Canada and over the age of 18. The application is free of charge, and you can perform up to three marriage ceremonies per calendar year. However, you cannot charge a fee for your services, and you must have a relationship or connection with the couple.

The temporary marriage commissioner program has existed for a long time, but until recently, only certain categories of people could apply. These included Members of Parliament, judges and lawyers. The general public could only apply if they could prove that no civil marriage commissioner was available on their desired date—which was difficult to do, given the large number of appointed commissioners.

Once your application has been approved, you will receive a marriage commissioner licence, a suggested script for the ceremony, guidelines to follow before, during and after the ceremony, and a blank Certificate of Marriage to fill out and print before the ceremony.

How to apply for a temporary marriage commissioner license?

To apply for a temporary marriage commissioner license in Alberta, Canada, you must be a Canadian permanent resident over the age of 18. The license is free of charge, and you can perform a non-religious marriage ceremony for your friends and family members. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply:

• Complete the temporary marriage commissioner application form: You will need to provide your personal information, such as your legal name, birth date, and mailing address. You will also need to include personal information for the couple, the date, and location of the wedding. Remember that you can only perform up to three marriage ceremonies per calendar year and only for couples with whom you have a relationship or connection.
• Submit the application form: You can submit your application by email, mail, fax, or courier to Vital Statistics in Alberta. If you choose to email your application, ensure it is sent as a PDF.
• Wait for the application to be processed: The processing time may vary, especially during the summer months when there is a higher volume of applications. It can take up to 8 to 10 weeks, so it is recommended to submit your application as soon as possible. Applications are processed according to the date of marriage, not the date the application is received.
• Receive your appointment certificate: If your application is approved, you will receive a Certificate of Marriage Commissioner Appointment and an instruction package. These will be emailed to you two weeks before the intended date of marriage. If you do not receive them 10 days before the wedding, contact Vital Statistics.

Remember that as a temporary marriage commissioner, you cannot charge a fee for your services, and you cannot represent yourself as a permanent marriage commissioner or solicit business. You are only authorized to perform civil, non-religious marriage ceremonies in Alberta.

What are the requirements to get married in Canada?

The requirements for getting married in Canada vary depending on the province or territory in which the marriage will take place. Here is a general overview of the requirements and some specific details for certain provinces.

Under the Solemnisation of Marriage Act, it is necessary to obtain a marriage licence or certificate before getting married. Marriage licences are issued by provincial or territorial authorities and are only valid in the province or territory where they are obtained. For example, an Ontario marriage licence is only valid in Ontario. The validity period of a marriage licence also varies by province, typically ranging from 30 days to three months.

To obtain a marriage licence, both partners usually need to go in person to the relevant municipal office and provide the required identification and documents. In some provinces, only one person is required to go to the licensing agent. The specific documents needed may vary, but generally, each person must provide two pieces of government-issued identification, one of which must include a photo. Examples of accepted identification include a valid passport, government-issued birth certificate (including any name change certificates), record of immigration, Canadian Citizenship card, valid driver's licence, and valid Ontario photo card.

In addition to identification, supporting documentation may be required. For example, if either party has been previously married, proof of divorce or a death certificate if widowed may be necessary. Immigration documents and details of parents may also be requested in some cases.

There may be a waiting period between applying for the licence and the marriage. This period varies by province, with the longest waiting periods in Nova Scotia (5 days) and Quebec (20 days).

The age requirements for marriage also differ by province. In Ontario, the minimum age to marry is 16 years, with written consent from all parents or legal guardians required for those under 18. In British Columbia, the minimum age is 19 years, while in Alberta, those over 16 can marry with parental consent.

Regarding the marriage ceremony, couples have the option of a religious or civil service. Religious marriages must be performed by a recognised religious official authorised to conduct marriage rites in Canada. Civil marriages can take place at a municipal court, city hall, or town hall, officiated typically by a judge, municipal clerk, or justice of the peace.

In Alberta, members of the public can become temporary marriage commissioners, allowing them to perform non-religious marriage ceremonies for their friends or family members. This option is available to Canadian permanent residents over the age of 18 and requires no fee.

In Ontario, there are two categories of marriage officiants: registered marriage officiants and civil marriage officiants. Registered officiants include those recognised by their religious body or a band, First Nation, Métis, or Inuit organisation located in Ontario. Civil marriage officiants include municipal clerks, Ontario associate judges, and justices of the peace.

What are the different types of marriage ceremonies in Canada?

In Canada, weddings are often based on religion, culture, and social norms, with traditions that have been assimilated from other countries, especially in Europe. Marriage ceremonies can be religious or civil, and they are governed provincially, varying from province to province.

In a traditional wedding ceremony, the couple invites their family and friends. The bride and groom exchange vows, rings, and a kiss to seal their union. The couple then leaves the building, with guests throwing rice or wheat to symbolise fertility.

However, modern weddings often deviate from these traditions. They may be held outdoors or in buildings other than churches, and officiants may not be religious leaders but rather individuals licensed by the state. Religious vows may be replaced by self-written vows, and activities like throwing rice are often discouraged by venues.

• Religious Ceremonies: Traditionally, weddings took place in religious buildings with a religious leader officiating. This could include Christian, Jewish, Hindu, or Muslim ceremonies, each with their own unique traditions.
• Civil Ceremonies: These are performed by officiants who are not religious leaders but are licensed by the state. This could include civil marriage commissioners or temporary marriage commissioners, who can perform non-religious ceremonies.
• Symbolic Ceremonies: In some provinces, like Ontario, a friend or family member can perform a symbolic ceremony while an official officiant handles the legalities. This allows for a more personalised celebration.
• Destination Weddings: Couples are increasingly choosing to marry away from home, designing their wedding to fit the location, whether it's a beach, a city, or a scenic spot like Niagara Falls.
• Military Weddings: Couples who are members of the Canadian Armed Forces may have a military wedding, wearing their uniforms and often including an "arch of steel" formed by ushers with swords or sabers.
• Elopements: While traditionally done in secret, modern elopements may include wedding videos and photography. They can be more affordable, especially if the couple opts for a simple civil ceremony.

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