How to Legally Get Married in Quebec

Getting engaged is exciting, but before the dress fittings, flowers, and seating charts, every couple needs to understand one important part of wedding planning: how to legally get married in Quebec. The process isn’t complicated, but you need to know a few legal requirements and deadlines before your wedding day.

Who Can Legally Marry You in Quebec?

In Quebec, someone legally authorized must perform your marriage. This can include a professional wedding officiant, a notary, a court clerk, certain municipal officials, a religious representative, or in some cases, a friend or family member who receives temporary authorization from the Directeur de l’état civil.

If you would like someone close to you to officiate your wedding, start the process early. Temporary authorization can take several months and applies only to that specific officiant and wedding date.

Whichever option you choose, always make sure your officiant is legally authorized to perform marriages in Quebec.

Civil or Religious Wedding?

In Quebec, civil and religious marriages have the same legal value. What matters is that the officiant is authorized and that you follow all legal requirements. This means your ceremony can take place at a courthouse, place of worship, wedding venue, vineyard, hotel, garden, or another suitable location. Couples can also personalize their ceremony with cultural traditions, spiritual elements, readings, music, or personal vows.

hiring an officiant for your wedding ceremony

The Notice of Marriage

One of Quebec’s most important marriage requirements is publishing a notice of marriage.

The notice must normally be published for 20 days before the ceremony. Your officiant generally handles the publication process, but couples should start their legal paperwork well in advance to allow enough time for processing.

What Documents Will You Need?

Couples must provide official documents confirming their identity, age, and civil status. This usually includes government-issued photo identification and a birth certificate.

If either person has been married before, you may also need documents proving you are legally free to marry. Documents issued outside Canada may need translations and other supporting paperwork.

What Happens During the Ceremony?

For a marriage to be legally valid in Quebec, two witnesses must be present. The officiant must read certain sections of the Civil Code of Québec, both partners must freely give their consent, and the officiant must officially declare the couple married.

Afterward, the couple, officiant, and two witnesses sign the declaration of marriage.

You can personalize everything else about the ceremony to reflect your relationship and wedding style.

What Happens After the Wedding?

Following the ceremony, the officiant submits the signed declaration to the Directeur de l’état civil. Once the marriage is officially registered, the couple can request their marriage certificate.

One detail that surprises many couples is that, in Quebec, spouses keep their legal surname after marriage.

When Should You Book Your Wedding Officiant?

Do not leave this decision until the last minute. Experienced wedding officiants can book well in advance, especially for popular Saturdays during wedding season. Booking early also gives you plenty of time to complete the legal steps free of unnecessary stress.

The most important things to remember are simple: choose an authorized officiant, publish your notice of marriage, prepare the correct documents, and make sure your ceremony meets Quebec’s legal requirements.

Rose Gold Celebrations helps couples guide through these steps while designing personalized ceremonies in English, French, or both, so they can focus on what really matters: enjoying their wedding day.