WHERE DO I GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE IN PEI?
Marriage License Issuers Can Be Found At the Following Locations on Prince Edward Island:
Vital Statistics, 35 Douses Road, Montague – Phone 902-838-0880
Vital Statistics, 16 Garfield Street, Charlottetown – Phone 902-368-4421
Access PEI, Alberton – Phone 902-853-8622
Access PEI, Montague – Phone 902-838-0606
Access PEI, Summerside – Phone 902-888-8000
Access PEI, Wellington – Phone 902-854-7250
Access PEI, Tignish – Phone 902-882-7351
Access PEI, Charlottetown – Phone 902-368-5200
Access PEI, O’Leary – Phone 902-859-8800
Access PEI, North Rustico – Phone 902-963-7820
Access PEI, Evangeline – Phone 902-854-7250
Access PEI, Crapaud – Phone 902-658-7885
Access PEI, Souris – Phone 902-687-7000
Access PEI, Morell – Phone 902-961-7321
Access PEI, Kinkora – Phone 902-887-7382
Access PEI, Stratford – Phone 902-569-7750
CAN ONE PERSON OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE AND WHAT IS THE CHARGE?
Both parties must appear before the issuer 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 WE APPLY FOR A LICENSE AND FOR 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 three months from the date of purchase.
DO I HAVE TO PRODUCE ANY DOCUMENTS WHEN WE MAKE AN APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE?
Yes. A birth certificate is required. For residents of Prince Edward Island, a provincial health card is also required. For applicants of another country, who can not obtain a birth certificate, a valid passport is acceptable. Divorced persons must produce the original copy of their Certificate of Divorce and widowed persons must provide a Certificate of Death.
WHO CAN SOLEMNIZE MARRIAGE ON 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
WHAT MUST A DIVORCED PERSON DO TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND?
A divorced person must present an original certified copy of his/her 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(s) is free to marry in Prince Edward Island
HOW OLD MUST A PERSON BE TO BE MARRIED IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND WITHOUT CONSENT?
Both parties must be the full age of 18 years to be married without consent.
IF CONSENT IS REQUIRED, IS THE CONSENT OF BOTH THE MOTHER AND 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.
DO PERSONS ACTING AS WITNESSES DURING THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY AND SIGNING THE STATEMENT OF MARRIAGE, HAVE TO BE A CERTAIN AGE?
Yes. They have to be the 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 A FEMALE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE BE MARRIED WITHOUT CONSENT IF SHE IS PREGNANT?
No. All persons under the age of 18 years require the consent of parents.
CAN PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 YEARS 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.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS WHO DO NOT RESIDE IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND BUT WISH TO BE MARRIED IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND?
No more requirements are needed.
SHOULD A NON-RESIDENT 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
For further information, please write to: Division of Vital Statistics Department of Health & Social Services PO Box 3000 Montague, PE COA 1RO Telephone: 902-838-0880 Toll free in Prince Edward Island 1-877-320-1253 FAX: 902-838-0883 See the web page
