CIVIL MARRIAGES

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Montreal Weddings will help you determine what constitutes civil marriage and civil union?

Marriage, whether it is a religious marriage or civil marriage, is a commitment by two persons who must be at least 16 years old, and have obtained the consent of their parents or guardian if they are under 18 years of age.

Civil union is a commitment by two persons, aged 18 or older, who publicly express their free and informed consent to live together as a couple and uphold the rights and obligations that derive from this civil status.

Declaration of marriage or civil union

The declaration of marriage or civil union is mandatory under the Civil Code of Québec. It enables the Directeur de l'état civil to produce the act of marriage or civil union and enter it in the register of civil status of Québec.

Persons authorized to solemnize a marriage or civil union:

Clerks and deputy clerks of Superior Court designated by the Minister of Justice
Notaries authorized by law to execute notarized acts
Any other person designated by the Minister of Justice, such as mayors, municipal or borough councilors and municipal officers, within the territory defined in their instrument of designation
Ministers of different religions authorized by the Minister responsable for civil status.

How to select the best officiant?

To check whether the chosen officiant is authorized to perform the marriage or civil union, click here to consult the register of officiants. Some of these officiants are affiliated with a religious society. To consult the list of religious societies.(PDF, 53 Ko)
For information on the rules respecting the solemnization of civil marriages and civil unions, go to this link on the Web site of the Ministère de la Justice.