About getting a Marriage License
on Prince Edward Island
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Requirements for a Marriage License
To get a marriage License, you must make an appointment with the Vital Statistics office or any of the Access PEI sites.
See list below.
When you go for the appointment both applicants need to be present and have all the required documents
with them. The Marriage License will be issued to you at the appointment at the same time as your application is processed.
The cost of Marriage License is $100.00 payable by cash, cheque or credit card when the license is issued. This amount is non-refundable.
Both parties must be 18 years of age to be married without consent.
Couples must provide the date and place of marriage and the name of the minister/officiant performing the wedding ceremony. For civil or religious ceremonies the officiant must be registered with Vital Statistics.
The Marriage License is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.
Your will need:
- Birth Certificates are required and the Provincial Health Card for residents of PEI.
- Photo I.D. – i.e. driver’s license or passport.
- Divorced persons must produce the original copy of their Certificate of Divorce.
- Widowed persons must provide a Death Certificate.
To get a marriage License, you must make an appointment with the Vital Statistics office or any of the Access PEI sites.
See list below.
When you go for the appointment both applicants need to be present and have all the required documents
with them. The Marriage License will be issued to you at the appointment at the same time as your application is processed.
The cost of Marriage License is $100.00 payable by cash, cheque or credit card when the license is issued. This amount is non-refundable.
Both parties must be 18 years of age to be married without consent.
Couples must provide the date and place of marriage and the name of the minister/officiant performing the wedding ceremony. For civil or religious ceremonies the officiant must be registered with Vital Statistics.
The Marriage License is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.
Your will need:
- Birth Certificates are required and the Provincial Health Card for residents of PEI.
- Photo I.D. – i.e. driver’s license or passport.
- Divorced persons must produce the original copy of their Certificate of Divorce.
- Widowed persons must provide a Death Certificate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do we need when making application for a marriage license?
A birth certificate is required. For residents of Prince Edward Island, a provincial health card is also required. For applicants of another country, who cannot obtain a birth certificate, a valid passport is acceptable. If you are Divorced, you must produce the original copy or a certified copy of the Certificate of Divorce and widowed persons must provide a Certificate of Death.
What must a divorced person do to obtain a marriage license in Prince Edward Island?
If you are divorced, you must present an original certified copy of the final or absolute decree or Certificate of Divorce. For divorces that have occurred outside Canada, we recommend the parties concerned contact a lawyer practicing in Prince Edward Island for a written statement indicating the legal opinion that the person is free to marry in Prince Edward Island.
How old must a person be to be married in Prince Edward Island without consent?
You must both be 18 years of age to be married without consent.
Can one person obtain a marriage license? What is the charge?
No. Both parties must appear at the appointment with Vital Statistics to obtain a license and the charge is $100.00. This amount is non-refundable and subject to change.
How soon before the marriage must an application be made for a license and how long is the license valid?
The marriage license may be issued the same day as both parties complete the application. It is recommended that the couple arrange an appointment to apply for a license with a Vital Statistics Office or an Access PEI site at least two weeks before the marriage to avoid delays or disappointment. The marriage license is valid for 3 months from the date of purchase.
I am a non-resident. Should I make application for a marriage license sooner than a resident?
Yes. It is advisable that non-residents contact the Vital Statistics Office to obtain information on the procedures for making application for a Marriage License. Procedures may differ from province to province; therefore, contacting Vital Statistics will ensure there are no delays or disappointments in issuing a marriage license.
Do persons acting as witnesses during the marriage ceremony, and signing the registration form as witnesses have to be a certain age?
Yes. Witnesses have to be 18 years of age to act as witnesses to a marriage or as stated in the Marriage Act subsection 9(1)(c) - two credible witnesses.
Can persons under 16 years of age obtain a marriage license or have their marriage solemnized in Prince Edward Island?
No. Persons under the full age of 16 years cannot be issued a marriage license or have their marriage solemnized in Prince Edward Island, except in the case of a female who is shown by a certificate from a duly qualified medical practitioner to be either pregnant or the mother of a living child.
If consent is required, is the consent of both the mother and the father required?
The consent of the father and the mother is required under normal conditions. If the parents are separated or divorced, then the consent of the parent with custody of the applicant is required.
Who can solemnize marriages in Prince Edward Island?
A religious ceremony can be performed by any clergy who is registered with the province. A civil non-religious ceremony can be performed by a Marriage Commissioner (registered with the province), a judge of the Supreme Court, a designated justice of the peace, a Prothonotary or a Deputy Prothonotary. Issuers of Marriage Licenses will have a complete list of who can perform a marriage in PEI.
Are there further requirements for persons not residing in Prince Edward Island but who wish to be married in Prince Edward Island?
No.
What documents do we need when making application for a marriage license?
A birth certificate is required. For residents of Prince Edward Island, a provincial health card is also required. For applicants of another country, who cannot obtain a birth certificate, a valid passport is acceptable. If you are Divorced, you must produce the original copy or a certified copy of the Certificate of Divorce and widowed persons must provide a Certificate of Death.
What must a divorced person do to obtain a marriage license in Prince Edward Island?
If you are divorced, you must present an original certified copy of the final or absolute decree or Certificate of Divorce. For divorces that have occurred outside Canada, we recommend the parties concerned contact a lawyer practicing in Prince Edward Island for a written statement indicating the legal opinion that the person is free to marry in Prince Edward Island.
How old must a person be to be married in Prince Edward Island without consent?
You must both be 18 years of age to be married without consent.
Can one person obtain a marriage license? What is the charge?
No. Both parties must appear at the appointment with Vital Statistics to obtain a license and the charge is $100.00. This amount is non-refundable and subject to change.
How soon before the marriage must an application be made for a license and how long is the license valid?
The marriage license may be issued the same day as both parties complete the application. It is recommended that the couple arrange an appointment to apply for a license with a Vital Statistics Office or an Access PEI site at least two weeks before the marriage to avoid delays or disappointment. The marriage license is valid for 3 months from the date of purchase.
I am a non-resident. Should I make application for a marriage license sooner than a resident?
Yes. It is advisable that non-residents contact the Vital Statistics Office to obtain information on the procedures for making application for a Marriage License. Procedures may differ from province to province; therefore, contacting Vital Statistics will ensure there are no delays or disappointments in issuing a marriage license.
Do persons acting as witnesses during the marriage ceremony, and signing the registration form as witnesses have to be a certain age?
Yes. Witnesses have to be 18 years of age to act as witnesses to a marriage or as stated in the Marriage Act subsection 9(1)(c) - two credible witnesses.
Can persons under 16 years of age obtain a marriage license or have their marriage solemnized in Prince Edward Island?
No. Persons under the full age of 16 years cannot be issued a marriage license or have their marriage solemnized in Prince Edward Island, except in the case of a female who is shown by a certificate from a duly qualified medical practitioner to be either pregnant or the mother of a living child.
If consent is required, is the consent of both the mother and the father required?
The consent of the father and the mother is required under normal conditions. If the parents are separated or divorced, then the consent of the parent with custody of the applicant is required.
Who can solemnize marriages in Prince Edward Island?
A religious ceremony can be performed by any clergy who is registered with the province. A civil non-religious ceremony can be performed by a Marriage Commissioner (registered with the province), a judge of the Supreme Court, a designated justice of the peace, a Prothonotary or a Deputy Prothonotary. Issuers of Marriage Licenses will have a complete list of who can perform a marriage in PEI.
Are there further requirements for persons not residing in Prince Edward Island but who wish to be married in Prince Edward Island?
No.
Locations to Obtain a Marriage License on PEI
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MONTAGUE:
Vital Statistics Department of Health 126 Douses Road, Montague, PE C0A1R0 Telephone: (902) 838-0880 Toll Free from (PEI and NS): 1-877-320-1253 Fax: (902) 838-0883 (Appointment Required) SUMMERSIDE: Access PEI – Summerside 120 Harbor Drive, PO Box 2063 Summerside, PE C1N5L2 Telephone: (902) 888-8000 Fax: ( 902) 888-8306 (Appointment Required) WELLNGTON: Access PEI - Wellington 48 Mill Road, PO Box 58 Wellington, PE C0B2E0 Telephone: (902) 854-7250 Fax: (902) 854- 7255 (Appointment usually not Required) TIGNISH: Access PEI - Tignish 103 School Street, PO Box 450 Tignish, PE C0B2B0 Telephone: (902) 882-7351 Fax: (902) 882- 7362 (Appointment usually not Required) |
CHARLOTTETOWN:
Vital Statistics Department of Health 16 Garfield Street Charlottetown, PE C1A6A5 Telephone: (902) 368-4421 Fax: (902) 368-6136 (Appointment Required) SOURIS: Access PEI Souris Johnny Ross Young Centre 15 Green Street, PO Box 550 Souris, PE C0A2B0 Telephone: (902) 687- 7000 Fax: (902) 687- 7091 (Appointment usually not Required) O’LEARY: Access PEI - O’Leary 45 East Drive, PO Box 8 O’Leary, PE C0B1V0 Telephone: (902) 859-8800 Fax: (902) 859-8709 (Appointment usually not Required) ALBERTON: Access PEI - Alberton 116 Dufferin Street, PO Box 39 Alberton, PE C0B1B0 Telephone: (902) 853- 8622 Fax: (902) 853- 8625 (Appointment usually not Required) |
For more information or to arrange an appointment to discuss your needs call: 1-(902)-629-1385,
or email us at weddingsonpei@gmail.com
or email us at weddingsonpei@gmail.com
