Marriage Ceremony Requirements
Basic Requirements
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Both the bride and groom must be present. Alberta does not register marriages by proxy.
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The couple must have obtained and present to the marriage officiant a valid Alberta marriage licence.
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A marriage officiant, who is registered with Vital Statistics to perform marriages, must be present.
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Two adult witnesses are required to be present at the marriage ceremony.
- The Registration of Marriage must be signed by the bride, groom, marriage officiate and two adult witnesses.
Religious Ceremonies
Other than the above basic requirements, there are no government regulations with respect to the solemnization of the marriage by a member of the clergy.
Civil Ceremonies
Marriage ceremonies performed by a marriage commissioner require that during the ceremony, in the presence of the marriage commissioner and the two adult witnesses, the bride and groom must declare to each other:
- I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, (name of bride/groom) may not be joined in matrimony to (name of groom/bride)
- I call upon those persons present to witness that I, (name of bride/groom), do take thee, (name of bride/groom) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.
With the exception of the above stated requirements, a ceremony may be tailored to the wishes of the bride and groom.
Specific inquiries regarding the ceremony should be directed to the marriage officiant.
