Do We Need a Marriage Licence Before Booking a Ceremony in British Columbia?
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
No. You do not need a marriage licence to book your ceremony in British Columbia. You only need it before the ceremony takes place.
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Do we need a marriage licence before booking?
No.
Most couples book their ceremony first, then obtain their marriage licence closer to the date.
This is because the licence is only required at the time of the ceremony, not at the time of booking.
When do we actually need the marriage licence?
You must have a valid marriage licence on the day of your ceremony.
Without it, the officiant cannot legally perform the marriage.
What do we need for a marriage licence?
When applying for a marriage licence in British Columbia, you’ll need to provide basic personal information for both parties.
At least one person must attend the application in person, and primary identification for both individuals is required.
This can include:
Passport
Birth certificate
Citizenship card
For most international couples or travellers, bringing a valid passport is usually the simplest option.
If you have been married before, you may also be asked to confirm that your previous marriage has legally ended.
Most couples do not need to prepare anything complicated, but it’s helpful to have your identification and information ready before your appointment.
For a full breakdown of what to prepare, including commonly overlooked details, see:
How long is a marriage licence valid for?
A BC marriage licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
This means you should not get it too early, especially if your ceremony date is not yet confirmed.
What happens if we don’t have the licence on the day?
If you do not have your marriage licence at the ceremony, the legal marriage cannot proceed.
You may still choose to hold a symbolic ceremony, but the legal signing must be completed later once the licence is obtained.
A simple way to avoid timing issues
Many couples choose to book their ceremony first, then obtain their marriage licence shortly before their appointment.
This avoids issues with expiry and ensures everything is ready on the day.
→ See how it works: The Simplest Way to Get Legally Married in Vancouver
Final thoughts
You do not need a marriage licence to secure your ceremony booking in British Columbia.
You only need it at the time of the ceremony itself.
By understanding this timing, you can plan your booking and licence application with confidence, without unnecessary stress.
