The Vital Statistics Agency began the private marriage commissioner program in British Columbia in 1982 to give couples an alternative to courthouse civil services. Today, marriage commissioners perform more than half of the approximately 24,000 marriages that take place in B.C. each year.
Because of the amount of training involved, the Agency does not provide temporary appointments.
The Marriage Act sets the fees that you can charge as a marriage commissioner.
A marriage commissioner:
The Vital Statistics Agency does not authorize marriage commissioners to provide wedding planning, or consultation services.
Marriage commissioners must live in the community where they perform marriage ceremonies. Generally, candidates for the position are:
All vacancies for marriage commissioners in B.C. are advertised here. Check this page regularly for vacancies in your area but apply only when we post a vacancy, as we do not keep applicant information on file.
Current Vacancy | Closing Date |
---|---|
Agassiz (PDF, 309KB) | Ongoing |
Burns Lake (PDF, 269KB) | Ongoing |
Cultus Lake (PDF, 220KB) | Ongoing |
Field (PDF, 222KB) | Ongoing |
Hope (PDF, 312KB) | Ongoing |
Houston (PDF, 145KB) | Ongoing |
Manning Park (PDF, 365KB) | Ongoing |
Four-Step Application Process
If there is a vacancy shown above in your area, follow these steps to apply for the position:
By mail:
Marriage Commissioner Program
Vital Statistics Agency
Ministry of Health
PO Box 9657 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9P3
By email:
Greater Vancouver and Sunshine Coast - vsa.vancouver@gov.bc.ca
Vancouver Island - vsa.victoria@gov.bc.ca
Interior and Northern B.C. - vsa.kelowna@gov.bc.ca
Note: Applications received by email after the closing date or by mail with a post mark after the closing date are not considered.