LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

·    A couple must apply for their Marriage Licence at an Alberta Registry Agent    Office. There is a government fee for the Marriage Licence (around $40) , and Registry Agents will charge a service fee. Please contact a registry agent office for details (http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/find-a-registry-agent.cfm0). Details of all of the requirements necessary to obtain a Marriage Licence can be found on the Service Alberta website at https://www.alberta.ca/get-marriage-licence.aspx.

·    The Marriage Licence is valid for 90 days, so you must be married within this time. The full document must be given to the marriage commissioner that will be performing the marriage. The top part is a Registration of Marriage and the bottom part is the Marriage Licence. 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. This document needs to be kept in good condition and not folded, as it is permanently archived with Alberta Vital Statistics.


·    There is no waiting period after you purchase your licence  - you can have your ceremony on the same day if you wish!


·    Proof of marital status is required if one of you has been previously divorced. Final divorce documents are required. For details please visit https://www.alberta.ca/get-marriage-licence.aspx#1114501


·    There are no residency or citizenship requirements. Blood tests are NOT required in Alberta.


·    The marriage must take place in Alberta.


·    The couple and two adult witnesses must be physically in the presence of the marriage officiant for the wedding.


·    None of the wedding party may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.


·    The witnesses must be 18 years of age and cannot be cognitively impaired.


·    At the conclusion of the marriage ceremony I will give you a handwritten and signed Civil Marriage Statement as proof of your marriage. 


·    Once married, couples can go back to an Alberta Registries office to apply for an Alberta Marriage Certificate if they require one. Vital Statistics issues these. For details please go to https://www.alberta.ca/order-marriage-certificate.aspx


For more information, please visit the Service Alberta website:

https://www.alberta.ca/marriage.aspx



Red Deer County Weddings                rdcountyweddings@yahoo.com
       Helen Morgan                    H: 403 728 2373                C: 403 505 3137