Health and
Social Services

Marriage Certificates

If you want to get married in Nunavut, you will need to get a marriage license or public banns from your religious organization.

Marriage Licenses

You can get a marriage license from a Marriage License Issuer.

Marriage License Issuers are available in most communities in Nunavut.

For the name of the Marriage License Issuer in your community call toll free (800) 661-0833 or (867) 645-8017.

There is a $25.00 fee for a marriage license.

Getting a Marriage License

To get a Marriage License, you will have to give the following information to a Marriage License Issuer:

  • Birth certificate for both parties intending to marry
  • Full names for both sets of parents (including mother’s maiden names)
  • Place of birth for both sets of parents
  • Immigration documents (if applicable)
  • Divorce certificate(s) or decree(s) – a decree absolute or certificate is required if either person has been divorced. Please note: no other divorce documents are acceptable
  • Death certificate(s) (if either person has been widowed)

Marriage Certificates

A marriage certificate is needed to:

  • Prove your marriage is legal
  • Ensure that the rights of spouses and children are respected
  • Apply for certain social benefits
  • Settle an estate
  • To change your surname to that of your spouse or to use a hyphenated surname

You can get a marriage certificate if you are:

  • Recorded as the bride and groom on the marriage registration
  • A legal representative of either the bride or the groom
  • The parents or guardian of a person who was under 18 years of age at the time of marriage
  • Children of the marriage to prove parentage, age, or birthplace of parent, for legal purposes
  • An agent, or any other person, on the written authorization of either the bride or groom
  • A person who requires the certificate for use in a court of law, for adoption, or for settlement of an estate
  • An officer of the Crown, for official purposes
  • A government department approved by the Registrar of Vital Statistics, when required for legal or other legitimate purposes

Get a Marriage Certificate

The Department of Health and Social Services can provide past marriage certificates dating back to the creation of Nunavut on April 1st, 1999.

To get a marriage certificate, fill out the Application for Certificate form. Make sure all of your information is correct.

The fee for all marriage certificates (large and wallet size) is $10.00 per certificate and can be paid by cheque or money order (payable to the Government of Nunavut).

Click here to download the Application for Certificate form.

Mail completed forms to the following address:

Nunavut Vital Statistics
Bag 3
Rankin Inlet, NU
X0C 0G0
Phone: (867) 645-8001
Toll Free: (800) 661-0833
Email