Getting Married in Manitoba

Marriages are performed by registered clergy or registered marriage commissioners. You may choose a religious ceremony or a personal ceremony with a marriage commissioner.

If you are getting married in Manitoba, you must:

• Both be present to buy the marriage licence from a registered issuer in your area (see Download List below) at least twenty-four (24) hours before the ceremony. (Note: Your licence is valid only in Manitoba and only for three (3) months from the date of purchase.)
• Prove eligibility to be married:
• Single - (never married) and over 18 years of age
• Divorced persons are required to show one of:
• Divorce Certificate
• Decree Absolute
• Persons whose spouse is deceased must show:
• Death Certificate or
• Funeral Home Certificate or
• Obituary clipping from the newspaper
• Provide identification for proof of age (18 years or older).
• Acceptable documents for identification can include:
• Birth Certificate
• Passport or US Passport Card
• Citizenship Certificate (Canadian or United States)
• Canada Immigration documents
• Canadian Armed Forces Identification Card
• Government of Canada Indian Status Card
• Fire Arms Card
• Driver's Licence (photo ID) with one of the following:
• Manitoba Health Card
• Senior Citizen Card
• Change of Name Certificate
• Employee Card (with birth date)
• Social Insurance Card

Before your Ceremony Date, you must:

• Make your arrangements with a clergy or a marriage commissioner.
• Give your licence and the white self-addressed envelope to your marriage commissioner or clergy.

After your Ceremony:

• Both parties, your witnesses, and the clergy or marriage commissioner who performed the ceremony must all sign the Marriage Registration.
• The clergy or marriage commissioner will send the Marriage Registration to our office to officially register your marriage.

Note: Vital Statistics Agency does not automatically issue a Marriage Certificate. You have to apply for your Marriage Certificate.

Fees

• Marriage Licence: $100.00
• Ceremony:
• Marriage Commissioner who is not a civil servant: $50.00 plus reasonable fees for related expenses such as travel.
• Marriage Commissioner who is a civil servant (such as a judge): $100.
• Clergy: (fees are determined by the religious group in question)

Download List

• Getting Married in Manitoba
• Licence Issuers in Winnipeg
• Licence Issuers in Rural Manitoba
• Marriage Commissioners in Winnipeg
• Marriage Commissioners in Rural Manitoba

Apply to become a Marriage Commissioner: Marriage Commissioner application form

Any documents used must be in, or translated into, English or French

If you have any questions about the Marriage Licence requirements, call our office at 204-945-3701 or 1-866-949-9296, during our office hours of Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30 or email to vitalstats@gov.mb.ca.

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