Alberta Marriage Licence & Certificate: What You Need to Know
Getting legally married in Alberta is simpler than most couples expect. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of everything you need to do — before and after the ceremony.
Licence vs. Certificate — What’s the Difference?
These two documents are easy to mix up, so let’s clear it up right away.
Your marriage licence is what you bring to the ceremony. It’s the legal document your officiant and witnesses sign on the day itself — without it, the marriage can’t be registered.
Your marriage certificate is issued afterward, once your marriage has been officially recorded with the province. This is the document you’ll use to change your name, update your passport, and so on.
In short: licence comes first, certificate comes later.
Getting Your Alberta Marriage Licence
A few important things to know right off the bat:
You have to do this yourselves. Only the two of you can apply for your marriage licence — your officiant, planner, or family members cannot do it on your behalf.
Apply in the province where you’re getting married. Even if you live in BC or Saskatchewan, if your wedding is in Alberta, your licence must be issued by an Alberta registry agent. Province of residence doesn’t matter — only where the ceremony takes place.
Both of you must show up in person with a valid government-issued ID. You can’t apply separately or send one partner ahead.
Apply within 90 days of your wedding date. The licence is valid for 90 days from the date it’s issued, so don’t apply too early.
| Government fee | $40 |
| Typical total cost | ~$80 (government fee + registry agent service fee — call around, prices vary) |
| Who applies | Both partners, in person, with valid ID |
| Where to apply | Any Alberta registry agent (find one here) |
| Valid for | 90 days from date of issue |
More info at servicealberta.ca.
The Day Of: What to Do With Your Licence
Bring it. Your marriage licence must be physically present at your ceremony — no licence, no legal marriage. A good trick: keep it with your rings so they travel together.
Before the big day, look over your licence carefully. It asks for details you might not have memorized, like your parents’ places of birth. Your officiant may also reach out ahead of time to confirm any information they need to complete the paperwork — give yourself a few days to track down anything you’re unsure of.
At the ceremony, you, your officiant, and your two witnesses will all sign the licence together. That’s it — that’s the legal part.
After the Ceremony: Registration & Your Certificate
Once the ceremony is over and the licence is signed, your officiant submits everything to the province for registration. You don’t have to do anything at this stage.
From there, here’s the timeline for your marriage certificate:
Wait 6–8 weeks before ordering. That’s how long it takes for the province to process and register your marriage. Ordering before then won’t work.
After 6–8 weeks, you can apply for your certificate through a registry agent (or by mail if you’re outside Alberta). Fill out the Application for Marriage Documents, pay the fees, and your certificate will be mailed to you within a few days of your order being received.
| When to order | 6–8 weeks after your wedding date |
| Government fee | $20 + registry agent service fees |
| Delivery | Mailed to you within 2–3 business days of your order |
| Where to order | servicealberta.ca — Marriage Certificates |
Changing Your Name After the Wedding
If one or both of you plan to change your surname after the wedding, Alberta’s Service Alberta website has a step-by-step guide on how to do that: servicealberta.gov.ab.ca — Married Last Name.
The Short Version: Step by Step
- Both partners visit an Alberta registry agent together, in person, with valid ID — within 90 days of your wedding date.
- Pay the licence fee (~$80 total) and walk away with your marriage licence.
- Read over the licence before the ceremony so you have all the required info handy (including parents’ birthplaces).
- Bring the licence to your ceremony. Don’t forget it.
- Sign the licence at the ceremony with your officiant and two witnesses.
- Your officiant registers the marriage with the province — nothing more for you to do here.
- Wait 6–8 weeks, then apply for your marriage certificate through a registry agent ($20 + fees).
- Your certificate arrives in the mail — you’re officially, legally, documented-ly married.
Questions?
For anything specific to your situation, the best resources are the official provincial pages:
alberta.ca/marriage
servicealberta.ca/getting-married
If you’re an international citizen or getting married from outside Canada, check with your consulate for any additional requirements that may apply to you.
And if you have questions for us, we’re always happy to help — reach out at shotgunweddingcanada@gmail.com.