Overview
A person must be legally authorized by Vital Statistics to perform a marriage in Alberta.
Both clergy (registered in Alberta) and marriage commissioners (appointed for Alberta) have the legal authority to perform marriages in Alberta. There are no legal differences between getting married by a clergy person or a marriage commissioner. If unsure, email us to confirm a person is legally authorized to perform a marriage in Alberta.
Clergy
- A clergy person performs religious marriage ceremonies.
- They perform religious marriages according to the rites and practices of the recognized religious organization they belong to.
- As there are over 10,000 clergy registered in Alberta, a public list is not available.
- To find an authorized religious representative/clergy person, contact the applicable church or religious organization.
Marriage Commissioner
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Marriage commissioners perform civil marriage ceremonies.
A civil ceremony is a legal marriage performed by an Alberta marriage commissioner, in accordance with the legislated requirements, including the legislated statements that must be declared by the couple. A civil ceremony cannot be performed in accordance with the rites and usages of a recognized religious organization. - A marriage commissioner performs marriages in the community where they live.
- Use the Marriage Commissioner Search below to locate a marriage commissioner in your area.
- The search allows you to look for a marriage commissioner by:
- the location where the marriage will take place, or
- by the marriage commissioner's name.
- Many marriage commissioners have their own websites you can search online.
- For a full listing of all marriage commissioners in Alberta, click the List View button.
- Use the Map View to search for marriage commissioners in a specific location as well as nearby areas.
- The Location filter limits results to the exact location selected and does not show commissioners available within a surrounding radius.