10 Weddings
EAST KOOTENAY WEDDINGS
Making it legal in British Columbia Are you eligible to marry in B.C.? • You do not have to be a British Columbia resident to be married in the province. However, you are required to get a marriage licence, which is valid for a term of three months and only valid in British Columbia. • Anyone over 19 years of age is eligible to apply for a marriage licence in B.C. Anyone under 19 years of age must first obtain the consent of both parents. No one under 16 years can be married without the consent of the Supreme or County Court. If one or both individuals were recently divorced within the last 31 days, proof of divorce must be provided. No licence is issued until the courts finalize a divorce, normally 31 days after the divorce decree is issued by the Courts. Arrange the Marriage Ceremony • In British Columbia, couples can choose a religious or civil ceremony,
which must be witnessed by two people. • To perform the religious ceremony, you can choose a religious representative who must be registered with the Vital Statistics Agency, under the Marriage Act. • If you plan to have a civil ceremony, contact and book a marriage commissioner as soon as possible once you set your wedding date. Register the Marriage • The marriage commissioner or religious representative who will perform the wedding ceremony will help complete the Marriage Registration Form. Within 48 hours of the wedding ceremony, the form will be sent to the Vital Statistics Agency, where the marriage will be registered and a legal record will be kept. Proof of Marriage • At the time of the ceremony, your marriage commissioner or
religious representative may provide a statement of marriage, which can be used temporarily as proof of marriage. However, it is not a legal document. You will receive a legal Marriage Certificate from the Vital Statistics Agency after the registration of the marriage. Which name can I use?
• After marriage, you can continue using or choose to use your own surname at any time. You also gain the right to use your spouse’s surname. This does not result in a legal change of name or any automatic change to your identification records. If you choose to use hyphenated surnames, a legal Change of Name is required.
East Kootenay Marriage Commissioners Cranbrook marriage commissioners Donald Davidson, 250-489-5528, donldavidson@shaw.ca Leonard Knudsen, 250-426-4422, kanoodle@shaw.ca Marilyn Dakin, 250-427-2552, everafter@cintek.com Creston marriage commissioners Barbara Archibald, 250-428-7362, barbarchibald@gmail.com Ann Deatherage, 250-866-5723, deatherageann@gmail.com Kay Epp, 250-426-3949, kkepp@ shaw.ca Elkford marriage commissioners Faye Sigurdson, 250-425-5741, fayesig@telus.net
Fernie marriage commissioners Jennifer Cronin, 250-423-4337, jcronin@elkvalley.net
Shannon Takacs, 250-278-3463, info@ finditinfernie.com
Golden marriage commissioners Kimberly Ann Chapman, 250-343-6441, mountstephen@uniserve.com Shirley Seward, 250-344-6483, shirley. du.seward@gmail.com Simone Ward, 250-344-5622, swardmc@yahoo.ca Invermere marriage commissioners Andrew Stuart-Hill, 250-342-0186, andykell@telus.net Julie Dodds, 250-581-1425, juliedodds@shaw.ca
Kimberley marriage commissioners Heather Darbyshire, 250-427-2057, hbabiarz@yahoo.ca Ruby Rioux, 250-427-5255, ruby. rioux@hotmail.com
Deerly Beloved, We Are Gathered Here... Come say “I do” in Nature’s Cathedral elkford.ca
A Special location for your Special Day…the new Elkford Community Conference Centre *Celebrate in natural beauty *Warm and welcoming facility *Winner of design and innovation awards
*Beautiful reception hall and banquet rooms for intimate gatherings or up to 400 people *State of the art media and sound system
Contact us at 250.865.4010 or recreation@elkford.ca to arrange your perfect day.