Can a justice of the peace marry you in BC?

Marriage Commissioners In B.C., if you’re planning a civil ceremony rather than a religious one, you’ll need a marriage commissioner (known elsewhere as a Justice of the Peace) to make it legal.

How do I find marriage records in BC?

For more information, call them at 250-952-2681 (toll-free: 1-888-876-1633) or visit their online portal, BC Government – Birth, Adoption, Death, Marriage & Divorce. Baptismal records (1836-1888) and colonial marriage records (1859-1872) are also available.

Can you get married at a courthouse in BC?

“The City of Vancouver does not provide marriage licences or perform marriage ceremonies any longer”, says Brad, an information rep from City Hall who referred us to the BC Vital Statistics Agency. Nor can you get married inside a courtroom. Similarly, marriages are not performed by judges or judicial justices.

Who can perform marriages in BC?

marriage commissioner
You can have a religious or civil marriage ceremony, or both. The person performing the ceremony must be licensed to perform marriages under the provincial Marriage Act. For civil ceremonies, this person is known as a marriage commissioner. For religious ceremonies, they are known as a religious official.

Are marriages public record in Canada?

Marriages are recorded in civil registration and/or in parish registers / church records. Our Births, Marriages and Deaths Recorded in Canada database is an index to a few collections held at Library and Archives Canada that include some references to marriages.

How many witnesses do you need to get married in BC?

two witnesses
At any wedding in British Columbia, the couple, two witnesses and the officiant marrying them must sign the Marriage Licence and Registration of Marriage after the ceremony has been performed.

Can a person be divorced and not know it?

The Court does not make it easy to divorce a spouse without their knowledge. One has a certain amount of time from the divorce filing in which to serve notice to the other spouse.

How do I get married in BC without a wedding?

A Marriage License An elopement/wedding can’t be legal without it! It costs $100 for the form, and all you have to do is go to a marriage license issuer (you can find one near you here).

Where can I find the British Columbia Marriage Index?

Ancestry.com. British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001. Original data: British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency.

How do I get married in British Columbia?

At any wedding in British Columbia, the couple, two witnesses and the officiant marrying them must sign the Marriage Licence and Registration of Marriage after the ceremony has been performed. Every couple marrying in British Columbia receives a marriage certificate by mail once Vital Statistics has registered their marriage.

How long does it take to get marriage certificate in BC?

Marriage Certificates 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. Search of Marriage Records to Prove Freedom to Marry

Where can I find the vital statistics agency in BC?

British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency: P.O. Box 9657, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9P3. This electronic index of marriage registrations in the Canadian province of British Columbia was compiled by the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency and the British Columbia Archives.