Can You Get Married in a Different Province than Your Licence?

Short answer: No. Here’s why your marriage licence must match your wedding location in Canada.

Why This Matters for Canadian Couples

It’s a common mistake: couples pick up a marriage licence while visiting one province, then plan to marry in another. But in Canada, marriage licences are only valid in the province or territory where they are issued. Each province has its own laws and its own Vital Statistics office that registers marriages independently.

To make sure you're applying in the right place, read our guide on how to get a marriage licence in Canada for province-specific rules and procedures.

This error is also one of the most common mistakes couples make when applying for a marriage licence in Canada — and it can derail your plans if you’re not careful.

Photography by Brianne Daigle

What That Means in Practice

An Ontario licence is only valid for weddings in Ontario.
A BC licence won’t work in Alberta.
Even if you live in one province and marry in another, the licence must be issued where the ceremony happens.

In other words: it’s not about where you live, it’s about where you say “I do.”

Getting Married in a Different Province than You Live

If you're planning a wedding across provincial lines—like living in Manitoba but marrying in Nova Scotia—you absolutely can do that. But you’ll need to apply for your marriage licence in the province hosting your ceremony, and you must meet their specific requirements.

Here are a few tips:

You can often apply as an out-of-province couple, but each region has different rules.
Some provinces allow in-person pickup close to your wedding date.
Others, like Quebec, have more complex steps—such as a public notice period. Here's a full guide on how marriage licensing works in Quebec.

To avoid timing issues or last-minute stress, make sure your marriage licence planning aligns with your Canadian wedding planning timeline.

Wedding photography by Todd Kwiczak of Tkshotz Photography

Photography by Tkshotz

Already Got a Licence in the Wrong Province?

Unfortunately, marriage licences are non-transferable and non-refundable in most cases. If you obtained a licence in the wrong province, you’ll need to apply again—this time in the correct location—before your wedding day.

Don’t assume it will be valid just because it’s a Canadian licence. Each province treats the marriage licence as a provincial legal document.

What About International Couples?

The rule is exactly the same. Whether you’re a Canadian citizen or a visitor from abroad, you must apply for a marriage licence in the province or territory where your wedding will take place.

For example:

Getting married in Banff? You’ll need an Alberta marriage licence.
Planning a ceremony in Tofino? That means applying in British Columbia.
Eloping in Old Montreal? You’ll need to understand how to get married in Quebec, which uses a legal process different from the rest of Canada.

Photography by Tara Behan

Final Thoughts: Always Apply Where You Marry

Between vacation plans, guest coordination, and cross-country logistics, it’s tempting to check legal tasks off your list early. But when it comes to marriage licences in Canada, the most important rule is simple:

Apply in the province or territory where your legal ceremony will take place.

Don’t let a simple oversight derail your plans. If you’re planning a wedding across provinces, brush up on Canadian wedding etiquette and legal logistics so everything runs smoothly.