Search of Marriage Records to Prove Freedom to Marry

Last updated on January 16, 2025

If you are planning to marry abroad, the country where you are marrying may require you to prove that you are free to marry.

If you apply for a search of marriage records, Vital Statistics searches B.C. marriage records from the date of your 15th birthday to the date of application, and prints the result of the search on a Marriage Search Certificate.

Important

Find out if you need this certificate to get married abroad before applying, as the $50 fee is non-refundable.

Vital Statistics does not register divorces. If you married in B.C. but then divorced, the search will only list the marriage. You can usually request your divorce certificate from the Supreme Court Registry that filed your divorce.

Who can Order a Marriage Search Certificate

Applicants requesting a search of marriage records in B.C. must be 15 years of age or older and must be applying for themselves.

How to Order a Marriage Search Certificate

You can apply in any one of the following two ways:

By Mail

Send a completed Application for Genealogical Search of Marital Records (VSA 430G) form (PDF, 1.6MB) with payment to:

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

In Person

Take a completed Application for Genealogical Search of Marital Records (VSA 430G) form (PDF, 1.6MB) to any Service BC counter and provide payment. They will forward your application to Vital Statistics for processing.

Cost & Processing Times

$50 per Marriage Search Certificate. Prints within 2 to 5 business days. Add mailing time from Victoria to your mailing address.

Courier delivery is not available for the Marriage Search Certificate.

What Marriage Search Certificates Look Like

Sample Marriage Search Certificate Showing No Results

Sample Marriage Search Certificate Showing One Result

If you are planning to be married in a foreign country, contact that country’s nearest embassy or consulate to find out about the legal requirements.

Consular Offices in Canada

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

Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings (CRDP)

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.

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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