Who Can Officiate Weddings In Alberta?

Anyone Can Officiate a Wedding in Alberta—With Some Conditions

In Alberta, Canada, the rules around who can officiate a wedding have recently changed. Now, almost anyone can officiate a wedding for their friends or family—but only for one day and only if they don't charge a fee. This is part of a pilot project by the Alberta government to address complaints that it was too difficult to act as a temporary wedding commissioner. The new rules allow any Canadian permanent resident over the age of 18 to perform a non-religious civil ceremony in Alberta by becoming a temporary marriage commissioner.

Who can officiate a wedding in Alberta?

In Alberta, Canada, civil marriage commissioners, registered clergy, and temporary marriage commissioners can all perform in-person marriage ceremonies.

Civil Marriage Commissioners

Civil marriage commissioners are appointed by the Alberta government to perform civil ceremonies for the community and area in which they reside. They are legally authorised by Vital Statistics to perform marriages in the province.

Registered Clergy

Religious ceremonies are performed by a religious representative or clergy person registered with Vital Statistics. There are over 10,000 clergy registered in Alberta. To find an authorised clergy person, contact the applicable church or religious organisation.

Temporary Marriage Commissioners

A pilot project by the Alberta government has removed some of the barriers for people seeking to serve as a temporary marriage commissioner. Any Canadian permanent resident or citizen who is 18 years or older can apply to perform a civil (non-religious) marriage ceremony for family or friends within Alberta. The temporary appointment lasts for one day, and the person cannot charge a fee to perform the ceremony. They also cannot represent themselves as a permanent marriage commissioner or advertise for business.

What are the requirements to officiate a wedding in Alberta?

To officiate a wedding in Alberta, a person must be legally authorized by Vital Statistics to perform a marriage in the province. Both clergy (registered in Alberta) and civil marriage commissioners (appointed for Alberta) have the legal authority to perform marriages in Alberta. Religious and civil ceremonies are both considered legal marriages in Alberta.

Civil Marriage Commissioners

Civil marriages are performed by marriage commissioners appointed by the Alberta government to conduct civil ceremonies for the community and area in which they reside.

Temporary Marriage Commissioners

In Alberta, a member of the public can also become a temporary marriage commissioner and officiate a wedding. A temporary marriage commissioner can only perform one non-religious marriage ceremony on a specified day and must not charge a fee. Any Canadian permanent resident over the age of 18 is eligible to apply. The application is free of charge and takes about a week to process.

Requirements for Temporary Marriage Commissioners

• Must be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen
• Must be 18 years or older
• Can only perform a civil, non-religious ceremony
• The wedding must take place in Alberta
• Cannot charge a fee to officiate the ceremony
• Cannot advertise themselves as a professional, permanent marriage commissioner

How to apply to be a wedding officiant in Alberta

To be a wedding officiant in Alberta, you must be legally authorized by Vital Statistics. Both clergy and civil marriage commissioners have the legal authority to perform marriages in Alberta.

Temporary Marriage Commissioner

If you are looking to become a temporary marriage commissioner, you must be 18 years or older and be a permanent resident of Canada. The appointment lasts for one day, and you can only perform up to three marriage ceremonies per calendar year. You can only perform a marriage for a couple with whom you have a relationship or connection, and you cannot charge a fee for your services.

To apply, you must complete the application form and submit it to Vital Statistics via email, mail, fax, or courier. Ensure that your application is sent as a PDF if you are emailing it. Your application will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness, and you will be contacted if more information is needed.

Marriage Commissioner

If you are interested in becoming a marriage commissioner, you must be 18 years or older, be a resident of Alberta, be fluent in English (both verbal and written), and live in the community in which you are appointed to serve. You must also have a solid understanding of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) principles and be able to handle difficult and sensitive situations.

To apply, first review the marriage commissioner Position Profile to ensure you are eligible. Then, check for openings in your community on the Vital Statistics website. Once you have confirmed that there is a need for a marriage commissioner in your community, complete the application form and gather any supporting documents. Send your application form and supporting documents to Vital Statistics via email, mail, fax, or courier.

Register as a Religious Marriage Officiant

If you are a clergy person or religious representative, you must register with Vital Statistics to perform religious marriages in Alberta. Contact Vital Statistics for more information on how to register.

What happens after the wedding ceremony?

In Alberta, a couple must apply for a marriage licence at a registry agent office. The marriage licence is a two-part document, with the top part being the Registration of Marriage and the bottom part being the Marriage Licence. This document must be given to the marriage officiant and kept in good condition. Once the marriage is performed, the Registration of Marriage becomes the legal marriage record and is permanently archived.

After the ceremony, the completed marriage licence will be submitted to Alberta Vital Statistics by the Marriage Commissioner. If you want a marriage certificate, you must apply for it at a registry agent office, and it will be mailed to you in approximately 3-4 weeks. It is important to note that marriage certificates are not automatically mailed out and must be applied for separately.

Additionally, the marriage commissioner keeps the marriage licence portion of the form and submits the Registration of Marriage portion for registration within two days of the ceremony. The Registration of Marriage document is permanently archived with Alberta Vital Statistics and is used to create government-issued marriage documents.

If there is a rush to have the marriage registered, it is possible to request the Marriage Commissioner to rush-register the completed marriage licence, reducing the wait time by approximately two weeks.

It is also worth noting that there is no requirement to exchange rings during the wedding ceremony in Alberta.

What is the difference between a marriage licence and a certificate?

In Alberta, a marriage licence and a marriage certificate are two distinct but essential documents for a legal marriage. Here is a detailed explanation of the differences between the two:

A marriage licence is a crucial document that you must obtain before your wedding ceremony in Alberta. It is a legal requirement and serves as proof that you have met all the necessary conditions to marry in the province. To obtain a marriage licence, both members of the couple must apply in person at a registry agent office, providing acceptable identification and other relevant documents, such as divorce papers. The cost of a marriage licence includes a $40 government fee and additional service fees charged by the registry agents. It is important to note that the marriage licence is only valid for three months from the date of issue and is exclusive to marriages solemnised in Alberta.

On the other hand, a marriage certificate is what you will receive after your wedding ceremony. It is the official document that confirms your legal union as a married couple. To obtain your marriage certificate, you must place an order by submitting an application form, typically available for download from the relevant government website. There is a waiting period of approximately six to eight weeks after your wedding date to allow for the registration of your marriage and the processing of the paperwork. The cost of obtaining a marriage certificate includes a $20 government fee and additional registry agent fees.

In summary, the marriage licence is the document you need to bring to your wedding ceremony and sign with your officiant and witnesses, while the marriage certificate is the document you receive after the ceremony, officially recognising your legal marriage.

Additionally, it is worth noting that while anyone can officiate a wedding in Alberta, there are specific requirements and guidelines for temporary marriage commissioners. These individuals can only perform civil (non-religious) marriage ceremonies and must be Canadian residents who are 18 years or older.

Frequently asked questions