Marrying In New Brunswick: Steps And Requirements

Planning a wedding in New Brunswick? There are a few essential steps you need to take to ensure your union is legal. Firstly, choose your wedding date and officiant, and be prepared to provide their name and address. You'll also need to obtain a marriage licence from a New Brunswick service centre—this will cost you around $100 to $115. When applying for the licence, both parties must be present and provide proof of age and identity with documents such as a birth certificate or passport. If either party has been married before, they must provide proof of their current marital status. Once you have your licence, you're ready to hold your wedding ceremony! After the vows have been said and the deal sealed with a kiss, the officiant will get you and your two witnesses to sign the Registration of Marriage. You will be given a Statement of Marriage, but note that this is not an official Marriage Certificate.

Getting a marriage licence

To get married in New Brunswick, you must obtain a Marriage Licence. This confirms that you and your partner are legally entitled to wed. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your Marriage Licence:

Choose your wedding date and officiant

You will need to provide the name and address of the person officiating your wedding, as well as the date of the ceremony. You must get married within three months of obtaining your licence, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Gather the necessary documents

Both parties need to prove their age and identity by presenting government-issued ID, such as a valid passport, birth certificate, or driver's license. If either of you has been married before, you must also provide proof that you are no longer married. If you have changed your name, you must provide proof of your current name. If one of you cannot be present when obtaining the licence, you will need a completed "Personal Attendance Excused" form, which can be obtained at a New Brunswick service centre.

Visit a New Brunswick service centre

Marriage Licences are available at service centre locations throughout the province. You can find your nearest centre by visiting www.snb.ca/locations or by calling 1-888-762-8600 (toll-free within North America) or 1-506-684-7901 (outside North America). The fee for a Marriage Licence is $100 or $115.

Complete the necessary forms

You will need to complete and sign an "Affidavit on Application for a Marriage Licence". Both parties will be asked to affirm that the information provided is true.

Once you have completed these steps, you will be able to obtain your Marriage Licence. Remember to present this document to your officiant before the wedding ceremony.

Proving your age and identity

To get married in New Brunswick, you must obtain a Marriage Licence. To do this, you and your future spouse must appear before the Issuer of Marriage Licences and present proof of your age and identity.

You can prove your age and identity by presenting one of the following forms of documentation:

• Birth Certificate
• Current Passport
• Canadian Citizenship Card
• Record of Landing/Canadian Permanent Resident Card
• Valid Driver's Licence

If you are divorced or have received a civil annulment, you must also provide proof of your current marital status. This can include a Certificate of Divorce, Decree Absolute, or Final Decree. These documents must be original forms or copies certified by the stamp, seal, and/or signature of an official of the judicial district where the divorce was granted.

If you have been widowed, you must present a Death Certificate or Statement of Death issued by a Funeral Director. If any of these documents are in a language other than French or English, you will need to provide a translation completed by a qualified, impartial translator.

Once you have gathered the necessary documents, you will need to appear before the Issuer of Marriage Licences, who will conduct separate interviews with you and your future spouse. All information disclosed during these interviews will be kept strictly confidential.

The marriage ceremony

On the day of your wedding ceremony, you will need to present your Marriage Licence to the person who will perform your marriage. This could be a civil or religious officiant. A religious officiant could be a cleric of a church or religious denomination recognised under the Marriage Act. A civil officiant could be a member of the Law Society of New Brunswick.

After the ceremony, the officiant will get you and your two witnesses to sign the Registration of Marriage. You will then be given a "Statement of Marriage", which is not an official Marriage Certificate. If you want or need a Marriage Certificate, you will have to apply for one after your marriage is registered.

The person who performs the marriage must forward a completed and signed Marriage Licence to the provincial Vital Statistics office for registration. The marriage must be registered before you may apply for a Marriage Certificate.

Applying for a Marriage Certificate

You can apply for a Marriage Certificate online. You will need to click the "Select Certificate Type" or "Get It Now" button on the home page, and follow the prompts to select the proper certificate and the province/territory the marriage occurred in. You will then need to click the "Apply Online" button and complete the information on the Online Application. You will be asked to pay using your credit card.

Your Marriage Certificate will either arrive in the mail or by courier, depending on the service option you choose.

Signing the marriage certificate

Once the couple has exchanged their vows, the officiant will ask the couple and their witnesses to sign the Registration of Marriage form. The couple will then be given a "Statement of Marriage" by the Marriage Officiant. This is not an official marriage certificate, and if you wish to obtain one, you will have to apply for it separately after your marriage is registered.

The Statement of Marriage can be used to change your surname on other documentation, such as your provincial driver's licence, vehicle registration, or Medicare card. To do so, you will need to present your Statement of Marriage at your nearest Service New Brunswick service centre. Please note that specific offices may require additional documentation for these changes.

You can apply for a registered copy of your Certificate of Marriage at any service centre located throughout the province or online at www.snb.ca/vs. You can also obtain a copy by telephoning 1-888-762-8600 toll-free within North America or 1-506-684-7901 outside North America.

A New Brunswick Marriage Certificate typically serves as proof of marriage for legal purposes. It contains the full names, sex, and birthplaces of the couple, as well as the date and place of marriage, registration number, and date of registration and issuance.

Changing your surname

After getting married in New Brunswick, you can choose to change your surname. You can assume your spouse's surname, a combination of both your surnames, or retain your birth surname.

If you want to change your surname on official identification and bank accounts, you will need to apply for a legal name change. This can be done by applying directly to each organisation, such as banks, driver licensing offices, and government departments. Many organisations will require a marriage certificate as proof of your name change.

To obtain a marriage certificate, you can apply online or at any service centre in New Brunswick. You will need to present your Statement of Marriage, which is given to you by the Marriage Officiant after your wedding ceremony.

It is important to note that changing your surname after marriage does not alter your birth certificate. It also does not constitute a legal name change, so no notice of a change in surname will be issued by Vital Statistics or any other government office.

If you wish to change your name legally, you will need to apply for a legal name change with New Brunswick Vital Statistics. This process may be more complicated and costly than simply updating your name with individual organisations. The fee for a surname change application is $130.

Once you have your marriage certificate, you can start updating your records with various organisations. Start with your driver's licence and provincial health card. Banks usually require you to visit a branch in person, bringing your original documents and providing a new signature.

Each company will have its own name-change procedure, so be prepared to send forms, letters, and emails, as well as attend in-person appointments.

Frequently asked questions