Here is the short answer: to marry in the Northwest Territories, most couples need a marriage licence from a marriage licence issuer in their community or from the Registrar General of Vital Statistics. You both go to the appointment, you apply at least one day before the wedding, and the licence is valid in the NWT for 3 months from the day it is issued.
Whether you are picturing a small ceremony in Yellowknife, a gathering at home in your own community or a winter wedding under a big northern sky, the paperwork is the same. My mom Debi and I have watched a lot of weddings come together, and the legal side is rarely what goes wrong. What trips people up is a missing document or an appointment booked too late, so here is how it works, start to finish.
Marriage licence Northwest Territories basics
The territory says most people in the NWT will need to apply for a marriage licence. The other route is the publication of banns, where a member of the clergy names the two of you as planning to marry, for two consecutive weeks. If you are marrying in a church, ask your officiant whether banns are an option for you.
A few things to know about the licence itself:
- ✦It is valid in the NWT only, for 3 months from the date it is issued.
- ✦It can be extended in special circumstances.
- ✦You should apply at least one day before the wedding.
Who can marry in the NWT
According to the territory:
- ✦You both need to be at least 16. If you are under 19, you need written consent from your parents or legal guardians.
- ✦You both need to freely consent. Forced marriages are not allowed.
- ✦Same-sex and opposite-sex couples can marry.
- ✦You both need to be physically present to be married.
- ✦Neither of you can be currently married. If you have been married before, you need proof of divorce.
- ✦Certain relatives cannot marry each other.
Where to apply
You can get your licence from the Registrar General of Vital Statistics, through the Health Services Administration Office in Inuvik, or from a marriage licence issuer. Issuers are located in many northern communities, and in most cases you will need to make an appointment.
The territory publishes a list of issuers by community, with contact details for each, and it includes a listing for service in French. If no issuer is available in your community, the Health Services Administration Office in Inuvik can issue your licence. You can also call that office toll-free at 1-800-661-0830 to find an issuer near you.
Who goes, and what to bring
Both of you must attend the appointment with the issuer. Bring:
- ✦your birth certificates
- ✦the full names of both sets of parents, including mothers' maiden names
- ✦where both sets of parents were born
- ✦immigration documents, if they apply to you
- ✦a divorce decree absolute or a divorce certificate, if either of you has been divorced (the territory says no other divorce documents are accepted)
- ✦a death certificate, if either of you has been widowed
The territory's FAQ page also lists your social insurance number, and notes that proof of age may be requested.
If either of you cannot speak English, you need to bring an independent interpreter when you buy the licence. Sort that out before your appointment so you only make the trip once.
What it costs
The territory's main marriage licence page lists the fee as $77. Its FAQ page shows $65, so confirm the amount with your issuer when you book.
Two other small costs to know about for later:
- ✦Registering your marriage is free if it is registered within one year of the wedding, and $26 after that.
- ✦A marriage certificate is $26.
Who can marry you
The territory's own wording is that a marriage commissioner, which includes members of the clergy, must perform the ceremony. In practice that gives you two choices:
- ✦A religious ceremony, performed by a registered religious representative of your choice.
- ✦A civil ceremony, performed by a marriage commissioner.
On the territory's list of licence issuers, marriage commissioners are marked with an asterisk, which is a handy place to start looking.
Hoping a friend or relative will marry you? A person can apply to be appointed as an NWT marriage commissioner. They need to be 19 or older, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and give a reason for the appointment. Someone who does not live in the NWT can only ask for a temporary appointment, and has to give your wedding date to get one. There is no fee. A faith leader can apply for registration, or temporary registration, as a cleric. They must be ordained and need a support letter from their church, which must be registered and recognized in the NWT.
The territory does not list a processing time, so ask early. Our guide to who can officiate a wedding in Canada compares the rules across the country.
On the day, and registering your marriage
Every marriage in the NWT must be registered, and registration is what establishes that your marriage is legal. Here is how it works:
- ✦you two and your witnesses complete and sign your sections of the Marriage Registration Statement
- ✦your cleric or marriage commissioner completes the statement and sends it to the Registrar General
- ✦the Registrar General checks the information, registers your marriage and files the statement permanently
Ask your officiant how many witnesses to bring and what they need to sign, so nobody is scrambling at the signing table.
Your marriage certificate and your name
Once your marriage is registered, you can order a marriage certificate ($26) online through the territory's eServices, by email, fax or mail, or in person in Inuvik. Without registration, there is no certificate.
You will need a certificate if you plan to change your surname to your spouse's or use a hyphenated name, and you may need copies to update things like credit cards, your driver's licence, your social insurance card, bank records and insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a marriage licence in the Northwest Territories?
The territory's main marriage licence page lists $77, while its FAQ page shows $65. Confirm the current fee with your issuer when you book.
How long is an NWT marriage licence valid?
3 months from the date it is issued, and only in the NWT. It can be extended in special circumstances.
How soon before the wedding should we apply?
At least one day before. Most issuers work by appointment, so book well ahead, especially in a smaller community.
Can a friend marry us in the NWT?
They can apply to be appointed as a marriage commissioner. Someone who lives outside the NWT can only get a temporary appointment, tied to your wedding date.
While the paperwork is in motion
Honestly, the licence is the easy part. The harder part is finding the people who are free on your date, which is exactly why my mom Debi and I built OpenDates.
We are still growing in the North, so not every NWT business is with us yet. You can browse venues in the Northwest Territories, and if you are dreaming of a cold-weather celebration, our winter wedding guide is full of ideas. It is completely free for couples, always.
Rules and fees can change. Please confirm the details with NWT Health and Social Services or your marriage licence issuer before you apply.
Happy planning! Kristina
Sources
- ✦Marriage licence, NWT Health and Social Services
- ✦Marriage licence FAQ, NWT Health and Social Services
- ✦Getting married in the Northwest Territories, NWT Health and Social Services
- ✦NWT marriage licence issuers, NWT Health and Social Services
- ✦Register as an NWT marriage commissioner, licence issuer or registered cleric, NWT Health and Social Services
- ✦Register a marriage, NWT Health and Social Services
- ✦Order a marriage certificate, NWT Health and Social Services
Checked October 2026.
Photos from Pexels.