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Marriage Certificates

Last updated on December 2, 2024

Every couple marrying in British Columbia receives a marriage certificate by mail once Vital Statistics has registered their marriage. On average, couples receive their marriage certificate three weeks after the wedding takes place.

During the mail service interruption:

  • The Vital Statistics Agency continues to provide services; however, the delivery and receipt of mail has been impacted by the mail service interruption. 
  • To mitigate the effects of the interruption, the Vital Statistics Agency has activated its mail services contingency plan and continues to assess additional delivery options to reduce any impact on clients. 
  • Individuals who submit a rush application for certificates or documents will be contacted directly by the Vital Statistics Agency to arrange pick-up at an available Service BC location.
  • Additional information regarding ordering certificates can be found at Birth, adoption, death, marriage and divorce - Province of British Columbia 

Vital Statistics mails the certificate to the address the couple provided when they bought the marriage licence.

If you lose your marriage certificate or need additional certificates, you can apply for them at any time after the marriage is registered. Each certificate costs $27.

Who can Order a Marriage Certificate

B.C. marriage certificates can be ordered by:

  • either person named on the marriage certificate; or
  • a person with written authorization from a person named on the marriage certificate

How to Order a Marriage Certificate

After you have confirmed that you are eligible to receive a marriage certificate, you can apply in any one of the following four ways:

Online

Use the Vital Statistics Agency's secure online ordering service. A credit card is required.

By Mail

Send a completed Application for Marriage Certificate or Registration Photocopy (VSA 430M) form (PDF, 1MB) with payment to:

Vital Statistics Agency
PO Box 9657 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9P3

In Person

Go to any Service BC counter.You do not need to fill out an application, but will need to provide the customer service representative with the same details about the marriage that are requested on the Application for Marriage Certificate or Registration Photocopy (VSA 430M) form (PDF, 1MB). You will also need to provide payment.

Cost & Processing Times

$27 per marriage certificate, average 2 to 5 business days processing time and delivered by mail
$60 per marriage certificate, produced the next business day and delivered by courier

What B.C. Marriage Certificates Look Like

Vital Statistics sends a marriage certificate to each couple after their marriage is registered. All B.C. marriage certificates are 21.6 cm x 17.8 cm and include the information described below for both parties to the marriage:

  • Full names
  • Sex
  • Birthdates
  • Birthplaces
  • Date of marriage
  • Place of marriage
  • Registration number
  • Date of registration

Although the Vital Statistics Agency registers all marriages in B.C., it does not record divorce information. To obtain a divorce certificate, contact the Supreme Court registry that filed your divorce.

Supreme Court Registries in B.C.

If you aren’t sure which registry filed your divorce, contact the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings for Canada (CRDP), located in Ottawa. CRDP can’t provide you with a divorce certificate, but they can tell you which registry filed your divorce.

Phone:

Victoria: 250 952-2681
Toll-Free within B.C.: 1 888 876-1633

Email Vital Statistics

Mailing Address:

Vital Statistics Agency
PO Box 9657 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9P3

To complete transactions in person, find a Service BC location near you.