How to Get Your BC Marriage License: A Simple Guide for Your West Coast Elopement
When you decide to elope, you’re trading a long to-do list for a day focused on connection and intimacy. However, there is one small bit of "homework" you can’t skip: obtaining your British Columbia Marriage License.
Don’t worry—the process is straightforward, and we’re here to walk you through exactly how to do it so you can get back to the fun part of dreaming up your wedding day.
1. When should we get it?
Timing is everything. In BC, a marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase. We recommend picking yours up about 2–4 weeks before your elopement. This gives you plenty of buffer room without the license expiring. If you don’t arrive in BC until a couple days before your ceremony, there’s the option of picking it up then as well.
Note: If your plans shift, just remember that the license is non-refundable, so don't get it too many months in advance.
2. Where do we go?
BC is unique because you don't go to a courthouse; you visit a Marriage License Issuer. These are often located in Service BC offices, London Drugs, or even some local insurance agencies.
On the Sunshine Coast: London Drugs in Gibsons is an accessible and easy place to get one.
In Tofino/Ucluelet: You can visit the Service BC location in Ucluelet or Port Alberni. You can also buy one from London Drugs in Nanaimo or Port Alberni on your way to Tofino.
Vancouver: Service BC Centres and London Drugs
You can find a full list of issuers near you by searching the BC Government website.
3. What do we need to bring?
Only one of you needs to go in person to apply, but you must bring primary identification for both people.
Accepted ID includes:
Birth Certificate
IMM/Immigration form
Permanent Resident Card
Citizenship Card
Pro-Tip: While a Passport or Driver's License is sometimes accepted, it's always safest to bring your Birth Certificate if you have it!
Important Note: You will need the full legal names and birthplaces of your parents (including your mother’s maiden name) when you fill out your license. It’s a good idea to have this info earlier on so you can have it filled out for your ceremony.
4. How much does it cost?
The fee is $100 CAD. This is a flat rate across the province and is payable at the time of your application.
5. What happens on the wedding day?
Once you have that piece of paper, keep it in a safe, dry place! You will bring the license with you to your elopement location.
During the ceremony, you, your Marriage Commissioner, and your two witnesses (that’s us—Jen and Brian!) will sign the document. Your commissioner will then mail it to Vital Statistics to officially register your marriage.
6. When do we get our Marriage Certificate?
It’s important to know that the license you sign on your wedding day is not the same as a certificate. About 3–4 weeks after your ceremony, you will receive your official Marriage Certificate in the mail from the BC Government. This is the legal document you’ll use for any name changes or insurance updates.
A Final Checklist for Your "I Do"s:
[ ] Purchase license within 90 days of the date.
[ ] Bring primary ID for both partners.
[ ] Pay the $100 fee.
[ ] Keep the license safe until the ceremony.
If you have more questions about the logistics of getting married on the Sunshine Coast or in Tofino, we’re always here to help our couples navigate the details.
Jen & Brian xo
