Can Foreigners Get Married in British Columbia? (Everything You Need to Know)

Yes. Foreigners can legally get married in British Columbia, Canada, without being residents or citizens.

Do you need to be a Canadian resident to get married in BC?

No.

You do not need to be a Canadian resident, citizen, or permanent resident to get married in British Columbia.

There is no residency requirement.

What do foreigners need to get married in BC?

To get legally married in British Columbia, you only need:

• Valid identification (such as a passport)

• A BC Marriage Licence

• A licensed marriage officiant

• Two witnesses

That is all.

How do you get a marriage licence in BC?

You can obtain your marriage licence in person from any authorized issuer.

It is issued immediately and is valid right away.

→ For a full step-by-step explanation, see How to Get a Marriage Licence in British Columbia

Can foreigners get married quickly in Vancouver?

Yes.

As long as you have your marriage licence, your ceremony can take place the same day or within 24 to 48 hours, depending on availability.

→ For a full breakdown, see The Simplest Way to Get Legally Married in Vancouver

What if we don’t have witnesses?

British Columbia requires two witnesses for a legal marriage.

If you are travelling or planning a private ceremony, this can be one of the biggest challenges.

Some services can arrange witnesses for you.

→ Learn more: What If We Don’t Have Witnesses?

Will our marriage be recognized in our home country?

In most cases, yes.

A marriage performed in British Columbia is legally recognized in many countries.

However, each country has its own rules regarding registration or recognition.

Some may require additional steps after you return home.

→ You can learn more here: Is Our Marriage Recognized in Our Home Country?

How do we receive our marriage certificate?

After your ceremony, the officiant submits your signed documents to BC Vital Statistics.

Your official marriage certificate will then be processed and mailed to you.

This usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks.

→ For full details, see British Columbia Marriage Registration Guide

A simple option for foreign couples

For many couples travelling from overseas, the challenge is not the legal requirements, but the coordination.

Finding an officiant, arranging a location, and securing witnesses can take time, especially when planning remotely.

Some couples choose an option where everything is arranged in one place.

This allows you to complete your ceremony with a single booking, without needing to coordinate multiple vendors or schedules.

Learn more about Our Legal Signing Ceremony.

Final thoughts

Getting married in British Columbia is one of the most accessible legal marriage processes for international couples.

There are very few requirements, and the process itself is straightforward.

Most of the complexity comes from coordinating the details around the ceremony.

Once those are simplified, the experience becomes much easier to navigate.