~Shirley Barwise~
Alberta Marriage Commissioner
Commissioner For Oaths
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
Q: Does one need a licence to get married?
A: Yes, you will need to obtain a marriage licence from any Registry Office in Alberta.
Q: Where can a couple obtain an Alberta Marriage Licence?
A: All Alberta registry agents are authorized to issue Marriage Licences. A list is available in the yellow pages under 'License and Registry Services' or by accessing the Alberta Registries Internet site at: http://www.gov.ab.ca/gs/information/registries/ran.cfm
Q: Is a blood test required to get a marriage licence?
A: No. A blood test is not required in Alberta.
Q: Can religious banns be accepted in place of a Marriage Licence?
A: No. Banns NEVER replace a Marriage Licence.
Q: Is there a waiting period once the married licence is issued?
A: No. A couple can marry immediately after obtaining their licence.
Q: Do the couple getting married have to be residents of Alberta?
A: No. There are no residency requirements to get married in Alberta. They must have a valid Alberta Marriage Licence.
Q: Does the couple have to be Canadian Citizens?
A: No. However, they must have a valid Alberta Marriage Licence. If there is a language concern, couples are encouraged to obtain an interpreter to attend the Marriage Ceremony.
Q: Do the 'witnesses' have to be one female and one male?
A: No. A witness need only be over the age of 18 years, have witnessed the ceremony, and understood the proceedings. Technically the two witnesses do not have to be part of the formal wedding party. It can be any two adults present at the ceremony.
Q: Can a couple share the same ceremony with another couple in a double wedding?
A: Yes. Each couple must have their own valid Marriage Licence. Each couple may use the same two witnesses, or may have their own witnesses.
Q: Is the Marriage Certificate issued at the time of the Ceremony?
A: No. A Marriage Statement is issued obtaining my signature. The Marriage Certificate application is obtained at the Alberta Registries and forwarded to Alberta Registries Office in Edmonton.
Q: Must the bride take on the last name of her new husband?
A: Traditionally, a woman may keep her name, assume the husbands last name or combine her and her husbands last name (the order is up to her).
Q: How does the bride take on the last name of her new husband?
A: In Alberta, there are no official documents that are signed to indicate the name the bride will use after marriage. She must apply to have a name change on her identification at any registry agent. She must present the Civil Marriage Statement or the official government Marriage Certificate to the registry agent and complete an application.
|
