Here is the short answer: on Prince Edward Island, you book a marriage licence appointment at an Access PEI location, apply together, and pay $100. Your licence is good for three months, and on the day you need two adult witnesses and an authorized officiant.
Red sand, lighthouses and long summer evenings by the water. It is easy to see why couples dream of an Island wedding. My mom Debi and I have watched a lot of weddings come together, and the licence is honestly one of the simpler pieces. You just need to know what to bring and when to book.
Here is how it works, step by step.
The quick version
- ✦Where: an Access PEI location, by appointment
- ✦Cost: $100
- ✦Good for: three months from the date it is issued
- ✦ID: a birth certificate or valid passport, plus one more ID with your signature
- ✦Age: 18 or older, or parental consent is needed
- ✦Witnesses: at least two adults
Rules and fees can change, so check with the province when you book.
Booking your appointment
Service PEI says Island residents can book their marriage licence appointment at several Access PEI locations, or by calling Contact PEI at 1-833-PEI-1873. If you live off-Island, call that same line first and ask how to book. It is a quick call that saves a lot of guessing.
Under PEI's Marriage Act, both of you apply for the licence, and each of you swears an affidavit in front of the issuer. If one of you truly cannot be there, the issuer may allow that affidavit to be made before a commissioner for taking affidavits or a notary public instead, with the reason written into it. Ask about this when you book rather than assuming it will be fine.
What to bring
Each of you brings:
- ✦a birth certificate from the place you were born, or a valid passport
- ✦one more piece of ID that has your signature on it
If you have been married before, bring proof the marriage ended: an original divorce certificate or decree absolute, a court order declaring the marriage a nullity, or an original document from a government or court where you were married saying the marriage was dissolved. If your previous spouse has died, bring the death certificate.
If any of those documents is in a language other than English or French, you need a certified translation, at your own cost.
What it costs
The licence fee is $100, set in the province's Marriage Act Regulations. Ask about payment options when you book, and confirm the fee then too in case it has changed.
How long it lasts
Your officiant can only marry you within three months after the licence is issued. PEI's Marriage Act does not set a waiting period after you get your licence, but appointments are booked ahead, so do not leave it to the last week.
A comfortable rhythm for most couples is to book the appointment a month or two before the wedding. That gives you breathing room without getting close to the three-month limit.
Who can get married
If you are both 18 or older, you can apply on your own. If one of you is 16 or 17, you need consent from your parents (or, in some situations, a guardian or the Director of Child Protection). If that consent cannot be obtained, a judge of the Supreme Court can be asked to dispense with it. No one under 16 can be married in PEI.
Who can marry you
Under the Marriage Act, your marriage can be solemnized by:
- ✦a registered member of the clergy
- ✦a judge of a superior court or the Provincial Court
- ✦a designated justice of the peace
- ✦the Prothonotary
- ✦a licensed marriage commissioner
If you choose a marriage commissioner, the Act says their fee is whatever you and the commissioner agree on, so ask early.
A lovely detail for civil ceremonies: there is no set script, apart from two short declarations you each make in front of your officiant and witnesses. You choose whether you are taking each other as "husband", "wife" or "spouse", and whether you are pronounced "husband and wife", "married" or "married spouses". If you would like a religious ceremony as well, the civil officiant's certificate lets a member of the clergy perform one in addition.
You can also browse officiants on OpenDates while you compare. Whoever you choose, ask them to confirm they're registered to marry couples on Prince Edward Island.
On the day
You need at least two credible adult witnesses there with you. Think about who you would love beside you: a sibling, a best friend, a grandparent.
Language matters too. If either of you does not understand the language the ceremony is in, an interpreter has to be present to explain it clearly. If that is you, line up an interpreter early and mention it when you book your licence appointment.
Your officiant handles the rest. Right after the ceremony, they take care of registering your marriage under the Vital Statistics Act.
After the wedding: your certificate
Once your marriage is registered, you can order a marriage certificate, and the province lets you apply online. Vital Statistics lists a long-form marriage certificate at $35, so check the current fee when you order. You will likely want one if either of you plans to change your name or update your records.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a marriage licence in PEI?
The fee is $100, set in the province's Marriage Act Regulations. Confirm it when you book in case it has changed.
How long is a PEI marriage licence valid?
Your marriage has to take place within three months after the licence is issued.
Where do we get a marriage licence in PEI?
At an Access PEI location, by appointment. Service PEI says Island residents can book at several locations or by calling Contact PEI at 1-833-PEI-1873.
Do we both need to be there?
Generally, yes. Both of you apply and swear an affidavit before the issuer. If one of you cannot attend, the issuer may allow that affidavit to be made before a commissioner for taking affidavits or a notary public.
How many witnesses do we need in PEI?
At least two credible adult witnesses.
While the paperwork is in motion
Honestly, the licence is the easy part. The harder part is finding a venue and vendors who are actually free on your date, which is exactly why we built OpenDates.
Whether you picture a ceremony by the water or a barn dance under the stars, start with wedding venues across Prince Edward Island. You can also narrow it down to waterfront venues or farms, barns and ranches. You can write to businesses directly, and it is free for couples, always.
Rules and fees can change. Please confirm the details with Access PEI or Vital Statistics before you apply.
Happy planning! Kristina
Sources
- ✦Marriage Act, office consolidation current to September 9, 2024, Government of Prince Edward Island
- ✦Marriage Act Regulations, EC2021-502, Executive Council orders of June 8, 2021
- ✦Service PEI online services: marriage licence appointments
- ✦Vital Statistics Act Regulations, Government of Prince Edward Island
- ✦Marriage Certificate Application, Vital Statistics, Government of Prince Edward Island
Checked October 2026.
Photos from Pexels.