Here is the short answer: in Nunavut, a marriage licence costs nothing. You meet a marriage licence issuer in person, such as a Government Liaison Officer, bring two pieces of government-issued ID (one with a photo), and the licence is valid for 90 days. If you are marrying through your church, the publication of banns is the other route.
Whether you are planning a ceremony at home with family close by or a celebration in Iqaluit, the steps are the same everywhere in the territory. The Department of Justice publishes a clear guide to getting married in Nunavut, in English, French and Inuinnaqtun. My mom Debi and I read it closely, and here it is in plain words, start to finish.
Marriage licence Nunavut basics: licence or banns
Every marriage in Nunavut needs either a marriage licence or the publication of banns through your church.
- ✦A marriage licence is the legal document that allows the two of you to marry. Your clergy member, justice of the peace or marriage commissioner needs it to legally perform your ceremony.
- ✦Publication of banns is a traditional religious practice where your upcoming marriage is announced publicly, so the community can raise any objections. If you use banns, you do not need a licence.
Who can marry in Nunavut
To get married in Nunavut, you both must:
- ✦not be currently married
- ✦be at least 19 (if you are 16 to 18, parental consent is required)
- ✦freely consent to the marriage, and not be intoxicated at the time of the ceremony
- ✦be physically present
- ✦not be closely related to each other
You can marry someone of the same or opposite sex. If either of you was married before, you will need proof that the marriage was dissolved, annulled or ended because your former spouse died. More on that in section 5.
How to get your licence
The guide sets it out in three steps:
- Find an issuer. Government Liaison Officers issue marriage licences, and the guide says their contact information is on the Government of Nunavut website. Reach out to check they are available and set up an appointment. For the names of other issuers, email the Department of Justice at marriages@gov.nu.ca.
- Meet in person. Bring two pieces of government-issued ID, one with a photo, such as a driver's licence or passport. If you are 16 to 18, bring a signed parental consent form. If you cannot meet in person, you may sign in front of a justice of the peace, a commissioner of oaths or a notary.
- Leave with your documents. The issuer gives you a statutory declaration signed by both of you, the marriage licence signed by the issuer, and any other documents you need, such as a parental consent form.
There is no fee, and the licence is valid for 90 days. Give it to your officiant before the ceremony.
Using banns instead
If you would rather go through your church, the guide says to contact your local church or religious institution for details. This is how it works:
- ✦Tell your church or religious institution that you intend to marry. The announcement is made during two regular worship days at the place where either of you attends.
- ✦Give your clergy member a Statutory Declaration of Parties Intending to Marry, signed by you both and the clergy member, plus the Proof of Publication of Banns, which the clergy member completes.
- ✦Marry within 90 days of the banns announcement.
If either of you was married before
Bring one of these to your issuer, or to the clergy member proclaiming your banns:
- ✦a certified death certificate
- ✦a certificate of divorce
- ✦a final divorce decree or judgment of dissolution from a court
For questions about death certificates, the guide lists Nunavut Vital Statistics in Rankin Inlet, toll-free at 1-800-661-0833. For divorce documents, the guide points to the federal Central Divorce Registry in Ottawa. Paperwork that has to travel takes time, so start gathering it early.
Who can marry you
The guide lists who can solemnize a marriage in Nunavut.
For a civil ceremony:
- ✦a marriage commissioner registered with the Government of Nunavut
- ✦a justice of the peace registered with the Government of Nunavut
For a religious ceremony, it is a clergy member or other religious representative of your choice or of your congregation, registered with the Government of Nunavut.
To find a justice of the peace, the guide says to contact the Nunavut Court of Justice. If someone close to you would like to become a marriage commissioner, they can contact marriages@gov.nu.ca. The guide does not describe a one-day permit, so ask early what is possible for your date. Our guide to who can officiate a wedding in Canada compares the options across the country.
On the wedding day
Arrange your ceremony directly with your clergy member, justice of the peace or marriage commissioner, and have two witnesses present.
For a civil marriage, the Marriage Act requires two statements for the marriage to be official. First, each of you declares, in front of the marriage commissioner and your witnesses, that you know of no lawful reason you may not marry each other. Then each of you calls on the people there to witness that you take the other as your lawful wedded spouse. Your officiant will walk you through the exact words.
After the ceremony, your officiant, the two of you and both witnesses sign the Registration of Marriage. Your officiant also signs the marriage licence, noting the date and location.
After the wedding: registration and your certificate
Your officiant is responsible for registering your marriage with the Government of Nunavut within 30 days. They send Nunavut Vital Statistics:
- ✦the Registration of Marriage
- ✦the marriage licence, or the proof of publication of banns
- ✦proof of divorce or other information, if relevant
- ✦the statutory declaration
Once your marriage is registered, you can request a marriage certificate from Nunavut Vital Statistics. It is your official legal proof of marriage, and it costs $10.
Frequently asked questions
Is a marriage licence free in Nunavut?
Yes. The Government of Nunavut's guide says there is no fee to obtain a marriage licence.
How long is a Nunavut marriage licence valid?
90 days. If you use banns instead, the marriage must take place within 90 days of the banns announcement.
What ID do we need for a marriage licence in Nunavut?
Two pieces of government-issued identification, one with a photo, such as a driver's licence or passport.
How many witnesses do we need in Nunavut?
Two. They are present at your ceremony and sign the Registration of Marriage with you and your officiant.
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 Nunavut business is with us yet. You can browse venues in Nunavut, and if you are keeping things close and simple, our small wedding ideas might spark something lovely. It is completely free for couples, always.
Rules can change. Please confirm the details with the Government of Nunavut, your marriage licence issuer or your officiant before you apply.
Happy planning! Kristina
Sources
- ✦Getting Married in Nunavut, Government of Nunavut Department of Justice (English)
- ✦Getting Married in Nunavut (French)
- ✦Getting Married in Nunavut (Inuinnaqtun)
Checked October 2026.
Photos from Pexels.