Last updated: 2026 • Official Source ↗
Quick answer
Vancouver: To get married in Vancouver, buy a $100 BC marriage licence within 3 months before the wedding, choose a licensed marriage commissioner or religious official, bring two witnesses over 19, and sign the licence at the ceremony. There is no waiting period after the licence is issued. Vancouver City Hall micro-weddings are a venue booking only, so you still bring your own licence and officiant.
Vancouver's listed marriage licence fee is $100 CAD. There is no waiting period, and the legal document or notice path has a 90 Days planning window. Compared with the Canada city average of $142 CAD, Vancouver is $42 CAD below average and ranks 11 of 30 for lowest listed cost.
If you are searching for a courthouse wedding in Vancouver, start with the marriage licence or required legal paperwork. Civil ceremony appointments, city hall options, officiants, and return rules are handled locally, so confirm ceremony availability with the official office before choosing a date.
Official details can change without much notice. Treat this as a planning guide and verify with the linked office before you apply.
BC lists a $100 non-refundable marriage licence with no waiting period and a 3-month window. Vancouver City Hall micro-weddings are 30-minute Council Chamber venue bookings; couples still bring the marriage licence, hired officiant or commissioner, and two witnesses.
Vancouver couples often expect a courthouse-style wedding, but the legal path is BC licence plus registered officiant. City Hall is a venue option, not a licence office or built-in officiant service.
| Option | Best for | Verified facts |
|---|---|---|
| BC marriage licence | Couples who need the legal licence before any ceremony | $100 non-refundable fee, no waiting period, buy within 3 months before wedding date |
| Vancouver City Hall micro-wedding | Couples who want the Council Chamber and a small guest count | 30-minute venue booking; bring licence, officiant and two witnesses |
| Park or beach ceremony | Couples who want an outdoor city setting | Permit required for designated park/beach wedding sites; photo-only use has different rules |
The fastest legal path is licence, officiant, witnesses, ceremony, then registration and certificate.
Source-backed check: BC says one person can buy the marriage licence in person with primary ID for both people, the licence costs $100, there is no waiting period, and the ceremony must be performed by a licensed marriage commissioner or religious official.
Official sources: BC marriage licences • BC marriage overview
City Hall can be a polished venue, but it does not replace the licence or officiant steps.
Source-backed check: Vancouver says City Hall micro-weddings are 30-minute ceremonies and couples must bring their own marriage licence, hired officiant or commissioner, photographer/decorations if wanted, and two witnesses.
| Option | Cost signal | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| City Hall small celebration | $332.75 plus GST listed for 10 attendees on seasonal dates | Couples who want a short Council Chamber ceremony with a small group |
| City Hall medium celebration | $665.50 plus GST listed for up to 20 attendees | Couples who want year-round City Hall availability with a moderate guest count |
| City Hall large celebration | $998.25 plus GST listed for up to 30 attendees | Couples who want the maximum City Hall micro-wedding capacity |
| Commissioner/officiant at another location | Officiant fee varies; licence is still $100 | Couples who want a home, restaurant, park, beach or private venue ceremony |
Official sources: Vancouver City Hall weddings • Vancouver getting married guide
Outdoor weddings can be beautiful, but they are not the same as just showing up for photos.
Source-backed check: Vancouver says park wedding ceremony permit applications require at least 4 weeks notice and are requests subject to review; no permit is needed for wedding photos in parks unless there is setup.
| Need | Vancouver rule | Planning meaning |
|---|---|---|
| City Hall guests | Capacity includes the couple, officiant, witnesses, guests and vendors | Do not count only guests when choosing the package size |
| City Hall timing | 30-minute time slot | Setup, ceremony and takedown all need to fit |
| Park ceremony | Permit required for designated sites | Apply early and accept site conditions |
| Park photos only | No permit for simple wedding photos | Setup or photography equipment may trigger a permit need |
Official sources: Vancouver park wedding permits • Vancouver City Hall weddings
Start by confirming eligibility, gathering the documents listed below, and applying through the official marriage licence path. In Vancouver, BC, the listed fee is $100 CAD, there is no waiting period, and the document or notice path is valid for 90 Days.
Vancouver, BC follows the marriage licence rules for BC (British Columbia). The city guide below focuses on local office details, documents, timing, and ceremony planning, while the linked official source should be checked before you apply.
Use these topics to check the legal step, ceremony choice, timing, records and proof before a courthouse, city hall, or civil wedding appointment.
British Columbia marriage licences are issued by appointed licence issuers. In Vancouver, the legal path is to buy the BC marriage licence, choose a licensed marriage commissioner or religious official, bring two witnesses, and have the signed registration completed after the ceremony.
Use the BC marriage licence issuer search or a nearby Service BC path to find where to buy the licence.
One person applies in person with primary ID for both people and pays the $100 non-refundable licence fee.
Hire a licensed marriage commissioner or religious official, then choose City Hall, a park permit site, a private venue, or another permitted location.
Bring two witnesses over age 19. Vancouver City Hall includes witnesses in its capacity count.
The couple, witnesses and officiant sign the licence and registration after the ceremony so the marriage can be registered.
| City | License Fee | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $100 CAD | no waiting period |
| Kelowna, BC | $100 CAD | no waiting period |
| St. John's, NL | $100 CAD | no waiting period |
| Surrey, BC | $100 CAD | no waiting period |
| Victoria, BC | $100 CAD | no waiting period |
These recently added city guides now feed the homepage search, fee graphs, country hubs, state pages, money pages, sitemap and internal links.
The listed marriage licence fee for Vancouver is $100 CAD. Fees can change, so verify the amount with the official office before applying.
Vancouver: There is no waiting period. If you are planning a civil or courthouse wedding, build that timing into your date planning.
Courthouse, city hall, or civil ceremony availability depends on the local office. The marriage licence or required legal paperwork is the first step; use the official source to confirm ceremony appointments and local rules.
Buy a BC marriage licence within 3 months before the wedding, hire or choose a licensed marriage commissioner or religious official, bring two witnesses over 19, complete the ceremony, and have the signed registration sent in.
BC lists the marriage licence fee as $100 and non-refundable. Vancouver City Hall or venue costs are separate.
No. BC says you can get married as soon as you have the licence, but the licence must be bought within 3 months before the wedding date.
Yes, Vancouver offers City Hall micro-wedding bookings in the Council Chamber. It is a venue booking: you still bring the marriage licence, hired officiant or commissioner, and two witnesses.
Yes. BC and Vancouver City Hall guidance require two witnesses. BC specifies witnesses must be over age 19.
No. BC says you can get married as soon as you have the licence, but you must buy it within 3 months before the wedding date.
No. BC says only one person in the couple needs to apply in person, but they must bring primary identification for both people getting married.
No, BC marriage licences are only valid for ceremonies in British Columbia.
Yes, but City Hall is a micro-wedding venue booking. Vancouver says you must bring your marriage licence, hire an officiant or wedding commissioner, and bring two witnesses.
Yes for an outdoor wedding ceremony in a Vancouver park. Vancouver says park wedding permit requests require at least 4 weeks notice and are subject to review.