Deborah Chan
If you're planning a wedding in British Columbia, you may be wondering if you need a wedding commissioner. The short answer is yes—in order to get legally married in British Columbia, your ceremony must be officiated by a licensed wedding officiant, who can be a marriage commissioner or a religious leader. Marriage commissioners are government officials who perform non-religious wedding ceremonies in their specific geographic area. They must be semi-retired or retired, and there is no required training or experience to become a commissioner. You can search the BC database to ensure your commissioner is licensed. After your ceremony, the marriage commissioner will help you register your marriage with the Vital Statistics Agency, the government office that registers all marriages in BC. Within 48 hours, they will send the necessary paperwork to the government, and you will receive your marriage certificate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Requirement | In British Columbia, a wedding ceremony must be officiated by a marriage commissioner or wedding officiant. |
| Role | The marriage commissioner or religious official who conducts the ceremony will help the couple register their marriage with the Vital Statistics Agency. |
| Registration | Within 48 hours of the ceremony, the marriage commissioner or religious official must send the registration of marriage form to the Vital Statistics Agency for registration. |
| Witnesses | The couple must have at least two witnesses for the wedding ceremony. The marriage commissioner or religious official don't count as witnesses. |
| Qualifications | Marriage commissioners are government officials who are appointed to their positions and perform non-religious wedding ceremonies in their specific geographic area. They must be semi-retired or retired. |
| Number of Commissioners | There are approximately 370 marriage commissioners across British Columbia. |
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What You'll Learn
Who can be a wedding commissioner?
A wedding commissioner, also known as a marriage commissioner, is a civil authority recognised to solemnise marriage. In some jurisdictions, the clerk of a county or municipality can delegate their authority to one or a handful of marriage commissioners on a long-term basis. In other jurisdictions, appointments are made by a province or state government agency.
In British Columbia, there are 340 provincially appointed marriage commissioners who serve a five-year term. Any person performing a marriage ceremony in B.C. must be registered with the Vital Statistics Agency. The Agency provides an approved sample wedding ceremony for the commissioner's use. In some cases, couples can discuss changes to the optional sections of the ceremony with their marriage commissioner.
In California, the Clerk-Recorder of an individual county can allow individuals to be deputised for a day to perform a single civil (non-religious) wedding ceremony. In Santa Cruz, for example, there is a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages for a Day Program. In Alberta, Vital Statistics appoints marriage commissioners provincially for a five-year term. Manitoba grants the status of marriage commissioner by application to the provincial Vital Statistics department, with no temporary commissioners.
In some cases, a deputy can be employed by the county clerk to perform civil ceremonies when regular staff are unavailable. This was the case in San Francisco, California, in 2004, when volunteers helped same-sex couples seeking marriages.
In addition to wedding commissioners, couples can choose to be married by a religious officiant, such as a rabbi, priest, imam, pastor, reverend, or minister. These religious leaders usually perform wedding ceremonies based at their place of worship, but this is not always the case. For example, a pastor may officiate a wedding ceremony at the beach, in a couple's backyard, or at a chosen venue.
Some couples may prefer to have a loved one, such as a close family member or friend, officiate their wedding ceremony. In this case, the family member or friend can apply online with a simple form and fee to become officially ordained. However, it is important to note that some states do not recognise online ordination.
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What is the role of a wedding commissioner?
A wedding commissioner, also known as a marriage commissioner, is a government official who performs non-religious wedding ceremonies. They are licensed to perform marriages under the provincial Marriage Act. The duties of a wedding commissioner vary depending on the jurisdiction. For example, in British Columbia, they work from a government-approved script with mandatory statements, whereas in other places, couples may be able to edit the script or choose from other approved scripts. In some cases, a wedding commissioner may be a temporary position, appointed for a specific marriage where the couple wants a special person to perform the ceremony.
In British Columbia, a wedding commissioner will help the couple register their marriage with the Vital Statistics Agency, the government office that registers all marriages in the province. The commissioner will also ensure that the couple has the necessary legal documentation, such as marriage licenses, and that the marriage is legally recognized. This includes guiding the couple through their vows, ensuring that certain legal phrases are included to make the marriage binding.
Wedding commissioners are not required to meet with the couple before the wedding, except to work out logistics. They do not include religious elements in their ceremonies. Couples who want a religious ceremony can have a civil ceremony performed by a wedding commissioner first and then have a separate religious ceremony.
In some jurisdictions, such as Manitoba, wedding commissioners are required to solemnize same-sex marriages on an equal, non-discriminatory basis. This may differ from religious officials, who are not always authorized to perform same-sex marriages.
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Do you need witnesses?
The role of a wedding witness is to observe the ceremony and sign the marriage license, confirming that they have witnessed the union. The number of required witnesses varies by location. For instance, California and New York require at least one witness, while Vermont and Wisconsin require two. In Islam, two male witnesses are required, and Jewish weddings involve two witnesses for signing the ketubah. In contrast, some Christian and Hindu traditions emphasize community roles over legal witnesses.
There is no law dictating who can and cannot be a witness, as long as they are adults and understand what is happening. Some officiants prefer witnesses to be over 18, but this is not a strict requirement. Witnesses do not need to be of different genders, and they do not need to know the couple. Wedding witnesses are often chosen from the couple's close friends or family members, adding sentimental value to the ceremony. It is important to select individuals who are reliable in fulfilling their legal obligations.
If you are getting married in a different state than your home state, it is crucial to understand the marriage license requirements of that particular state. By familiarizing themselves with local regulations, couples can ensure a smooth ceremony free from unexpected legal hurdles.
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Where can you find a wedding commissioner?
Wedding commissioners are generally required to solemnize weddings and help with the registration process. They provide couples with flexible non-religious options for their wedding.
Wedding commissioners are region-specific, so you will need to find one that is licensed to perform weddings in the area where your wedding will take place. You can find a wedding commissioner in your community by searching online. In British Columbia, Canada, for example, the government website provides an online search tool to find a marriage commissioner in your area. Similarly, the Government of Saskatchewan, Canada, also has a website where you can find a marriage commissioner.
Before contacting a wedding commissioner, it is advisable to have your wedding date, time, and location already chosen. Once you have found a few potential wedding commissioners, you can review their fees and services offered to help you decide. Typically, a base civil ceremony includes time for ceremony preparation, a meeting with the couple, a rehearsal, travel time, and the performance of the ceremony. Additional fees may be charged for mileage and extra time spent.
It is worth noting that in some places, like British Columbia, there is an approved sample wedding ceremony provided by the Vital Statistics Agency, which must be followed with certain mandatory sections, while other sections are optional and can be discussed with your wedding commissioner.
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What is the cost?
The cost of a wedding commissioner or officiant varies depending on several factors. Firstly, your location and that of your chosen commissioner or officiant is important to consider, as hiring someone from outside of your local area may incur additional travel costs. The type of ceremony you wish to have will also impact the cost. For example, a secular officiant or celebrant who is not associated with any particular religion or institution tends to charge anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $1000 or more. On the other hand, religious officiants such as an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi or a Hindu pandit may require you to cover their travel expenses.
In British Columbia, marriage commissioners are government officials who perform non-religious wedding ceremonies in a specific geographic area. They are semi-retired or retired individuals with no required training or experience. Couples are charged a standard fee for basic wedding services provided within one hour, with an additional hourly fee for each quarter-hour increment thereafter. Commissioners can also charge for ferry fees, parking fees, and mileage. Wedding officiants in BC typically cost more than marriage commissioners but offer a more personalized experience, allowing for customisation of the ceremony script and the inclusion of religious or cultural elements.
According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, the average cost of hiring a wedding officiant in the US is $240, which is less than 1% of the average wedding budget. However, it is important to note that this number is not set in stone and can vary depending on various factors. When choosing your ceremony location, be sure to inquire about all fees and donations upfront to avoid unexpected expenses.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you need a wedding commissioner or a licensed religious representative to perform the marriage ceremony.
You can search the BC database to ensure your commissioner is listed. They must be licensed to perform weddings in BC and are usually semi-retired or retired government officials.
A wedding commissioner will help you register your marriage with the Vital Statistics Agency, the government office that registers all marriages in BC. They will also help you complete the Marriage Registration Form and send it to the Agency within 48 hours of the ceremony.
No, your friend cannot legally officiate your wedding in British Columbia or Canada. Unlike in the movies or the US, there is no option to get ordained online.
