Changes to a marriage registration

If you discover a mistake on the marriage registration after Vital Statistics has registered the marriage, you can apply for a correction or amendment of the record.

Apply to change a marriage registration

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Fill out the form

Fill out the Correction of Error or Omission in Marriage Registration (VSA 412M) form (PDF, 920KB).

Do not fill out the Declaration section yet. You'll complete it in step 3.

If you do not have a printer, you can:

• Get the form at any Service BC counter
• Ask for the form by mail by calling 250-952-2681

Step 2: Gather your documents

Gather original government-issued documents that prove the information you want to change.

Examples include:

• Birth certificate
• Canadian permanent resident card
• Canadian citizenship papers or card
• Landed immigrant papers (not accepted if they were issued for travel only)

You will keep your original documents.

Step 3: Get certified copies and an authorized witness

Take your form and original documents to an authorized person.

An authorized person can be a:

• Notary public
• Lawyer
• Service BC agent

The authorized person will:

• Witness your signature in the Declaration section
• Sign and stamp the form
• Make certified copies of each page of your documents
• Sign and stamp the certified copies

Vital Statistics cannot accept your evidence unless it is certified.

Authorized people may charge a fee. You may want to ask about fees before you visit.

Step 5: Submit your application

Submit your application by mail or in person.

Include:

• Signed and witnessed Correction of Error or Omission form
• Certified copies of documents that support the change
• All certificates issued before the change
• Any registration photocopies issued before the change
• Payment for the change
• Payment for any new certificates or registration photocopies

Do not send your original documents.