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.
Vital Statistics mails the certificate to the address the couple provided when they bought the marriage licence.
If you lose your marriage certificate or need additional certificates, you can apply for them at any time after the marriage is registered. Each certificate costs $27.
B.C. marriage certificates can be ordered by:
After you have confirmed that you are eligible to receive a marriage certificate, you can apply in any one of the following four ways:
Use the Vital Statistics Agency's secure online ordering service. A credit card is required.
Vital Statistics Agency
PO Box 9657 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9P3
Go to any Service BC counter.You do not need to fill out an application, but will need to provide the customer service representative with the same details about the marriage that are requested on the Application for Marriage Certificate or Registration Photocopy (VSA 430M) form (PDF, 1MB). You will also need to provide payment.
$27 per marriage certificate, average 2 to 5 business days processing time and delivered by mail
$60 per marriage certificate, produced the next business day and delivered by courier
Vital Statistics sends a marriage certificate to each couple after their marriage is registered. All B.C. marriage certificates are 21.6 cm x 17.8 cm and include the information described below for both parties to the marriage:
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.
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.
Victoria: 250 952-2681
Toll-Free within B.C.: 1 888 876-1633
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.