What is the difference between the Marriage Licence and Marriage Certificate?
 

The Marriage Licence is the document you need to purchase in order to get married. 
It is the document that is signed during the ceremony then used to register your marriage with Vital Statistics.

​

The Marriage Certificate is your legal proof of marriage. 
NOTE Vital Statistics does not automatically send you the certificate.  It must be ordered.  

This is what is needed for change of name purposes and legal proof of marriage. 

​​​

​If you are getting married in Manitoba, you must:

STEP 1: Buy a marriage licence  (I can refer you to a registered licence issuer near you)

• Buy a marriage licence at least 24 hours before the marriage (Note: It is only valid for marriages being performed in Manitoba and is only valid for three months).

• Both parties must be present to buy the marriage licence from a registered issuer in your area.

• • Single - (never married) and over 18 years of age

  • Divorced persons are required to show one of:

    • Divorce Certificate

    • Decree Absolute

  • Widowed - persons whose spouse is deceased must show:

    • Death Certificate or

    • Funeral Home Statement of Death or

    • Obituary clipping from the newspaper

• Both parties must have valid proof of identity, age, and name (documents can not be expired). Identification documents must be originals or confirmed/notarized copies.

  • Acceptable documents for identification can include:

    • Canadian Drivers Licence

    • Passport

    • Permanent Resident Card

    • MPI Identification Card

    • Certificate of Indian Status

    • Photo Identification

  • If the name of either party on the above document is not their full current name you can use a combination of one of the above documents with their:

    • Birth Certificate

    • Canadian Citizenship Certificate

    • Canadian Immigration Document (ex. study permit, work permit, visitor visa)

Please note - Social Insurance Numbers are not acceptable identification for purchasing a licence.

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, Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30.

A Marriage Licence and Registration of Marriage is a permanent legal document.

When you buy your Marriage Licence and Registration of Marriage, before signing the oath on the Declaration of Parties (green form), please read through the entire form to make certain that all fields completed by the issuer are clearly legible, accurate, and fully completed. If there are any omissions or errors on the Marriage Licence and Registration of Marriage, Manitoba law determines how, or even if, changes can be made to a permanent legal record and requires payment of fees to do so.

Tips:

• Print legibly

• Don't use abbreviations, nicknames, or initials

• Use full legal names as they appear on your government issued identification

• If the name on the marriage registration doesn't exactly match the name on your identification you may encounter difficulties

• Vital Statistics Branch permanently maintains a copy of the registration form exactly as it is received. Once received by the Branch, it becomes a permanent legal document

• Do not assume the registration can be changed or corrected later

• A marriage certificate cannot be issued until the registration is complete, resulting in delays and inconvenience to newlyweds.

 

​STEP 2: Ceremony Date
 

​​On your ceremony date, either before, after or during the ceremony both parties, your witnesses, and your officiant must all sign the Marriage Registration.  The couple also must read a formal declaration which is required by Vital Statistics. 

(I usually do this at the same time as the licence signing. 

The declaration is as follows:
 

I do solemnly declare that I do not 
know of any lawful impediment why I,

 (state your full name),
may not be joined in matrimony to
(state your partner’s full name).

 

I call upon these persons here

present to witness that I,
(state your full name),
do take thee,
(state your partner’s full name),
to be my lawful wedded (husband, wife, spouse).

STEP 3: Officiant completes Marriage Registration form and sends to Vital Statistics Agency.

 

Note:  Vital Statistics Agency does not automatically issue a Marriage Certificate.  You have to order it.  You will receive the application when you purchase your Marriage Licence/Registration.

Fees:

•    Marriage Licence: $100.00
•    Certificate of Marriage: $30.00 for regular service or $65.00 for rush service within Canada  (processed within a few business days once marriage is registered. Delivery time may be longer depending on when marriage was registered).
 

The Certificate can be ordered online here.

 

(source: Manitoba Vital Statistics)

(Fees may change without notice)

​

Completing the paper application for your Certificate of Marriage (Marriage Document):
 

Section 1:   

Enter Mailing address, Phone Number, Email address
 

Section 2

Check Marriage Certificate and enter quantity

Reason for application:  Enter "Proof of Marriage"

Check English or French
 

Section 3

Enter names exactly as on the Marriage Licence/Registration

Enter place of birth (Province or Country if outside of Canada)

Enter date of marriage

Enter place of Marriage (City, Town or RM; as entered by the Officiant on the Marriage Licence/Registration)

​
Section 4

Check A) Self

​

​Section 5

Check Regular or Rush service
 

​Section 6

Check MasterCard/Visa

Enter amount authorized ($30 regular service or $65 rush service)

Enter Credit Card number
 

​Feel free to contact Vital Statistics or Sheri if you have any further questions.