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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Wedding Ceremonies

• Which documents do we need to provide?
  The documents that you will need are:

  The original of your birth certificate (the long version is required) issued by the Directeur de l'état civil for someone born in the Province of Quebec.

  For someone born outside of the Province of Quebec, you will need to provide the birth certificate issued by the local authorities of your province or country of origin. The documents need to be translated into French or English by an official translator.

  For someone born outside of Canada, you will also need to present your passport.

  Also, we are legally obligated to verify your identity. We can do this by having an original of one of the following documents :

  • The Quebec Medicare card;
  • The Quebec drivers license (with the picture) or of any Canadian province or United States;
  • Canadian passport or of your country;
  • The Canadian Citizenship card (issued since 2002);
  • The U.S. Permanent Resident card (Green card);
  • Federal Immigration documents (IMM 1442);
  • Official identity papers for military, police or residing diplomats in Canada;
  • The certificate for Indian Status;
  • The identity card issued by Canadian Provinces In regards to any of these documents, you need to provide the originals; we will photocopy them immediately, and as Commissioner of Oath, we will authenticate them and give you back your originals during our first meeting.
• I was born in the Province of Quebec, I have a birth certificate but I am not sure that the document is valid?
  If there is a thirteen digit number on your document, then it is valid.
• I was born in the Province of Quebec, I have a small wallet size birth certificate, is this document valid?
  No.
• I was born in the Province of Quebec, I do not have my birth certificate, how can I obtain it?
  Complete and mail the application for a birth certificate (long version required). Expect a 4-5 week delay for the regular method or a 5 working day wait for the accelerated method. For more details, consult the WEB site of the Directeur de l'état civil.
• If I was previously married what do I need to do?
  We will need your divorce/annulment/dissolution certificate that can be obtained at the Law Courts Clerks Office. (That document bears a register number and a date in effect).
• If I am a widow(er), what do I need to do?
  In the case where the husband/wife of the future spouse is deceased, you will need to provide certificate of death.
• What other information do we need to provide?
  In order for us to send the Marriage Declaration document DEC-50) to the Directeur de l'état civil , we need the following information:

  Also, we are legally obligated to verify your identity. We can do this by having an original of one of the following documents :

  • Celebration location
  • Address of that location
  • Date of marriage
  • Family name and first name of the future spouse
  • Birth place of the future spouses (Municipality, province or country)
  • Birth dates of the future spouses
  • Matrimonial status of the future spouses
  • Current municipality, province or country of the future spouses before the marriage
  • Complete address of the spouses after the marriage
  • Last academic degree acquired (High school, CEGEP, College, University)
  • Family name and first name of each spouses Father and mother
  • Family name and first name of the witnesses
  • Location where birth was registered (Parish, municipality, province or country)
• What is the length of the marriage ceremony?
  The ceremony usually lasts between 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the length of the readings, songs and the symbolic ceremonial.
• Where can we celebrate a marriage?
  We are authorized by the Directeur de l'état civil to celebrate marriages in any location that has a civic address in the Province of Quebec. The chosen location must reflect the solemn character of the ceremony.
• Can we modify the text from the readings?
  Absolutely! Our wish is that your ceremony be shaped to your image. The readings can be modified to suit your needs, with the exception of the legal text.
• Are witnesses required at our marriage?
  Each spouse must have their own witness. We will need a proof of identity with picture for the witnesses. A photocopy will be made and attached to the documents sent to the Directeur de l'état civil.
• Can the ceremony be conducted in two languages?
  We can offer you ceremonies conducted in French, in English or bilingually using both languages.
• Who takes care of the preparation of the legal documents and ensures that the Directeur de l'état civil receives them to register officially your marriage?
  We take the responsibility to ensure that the documents are sent to the Directeur de l'état civil. However, If you wish to receive your Certificate of Marriage, we recommend that you wait at least 4 weeks after the ceremony to enable the Directeur de l'état civil to register your marriage. Complete the application for a certificate of marriage or civil union that you transmit to the Directeur de l'état civil. By law, we cannot do it in your place.
• How many meetings will we have with the celebrant?
  Only one meeting will be held at the office of the celebrant. This meeting will last approximately 90 minutes. The celebrant will make photocopies of your original documents and plan the ceremony with you. Meetings are held on weekdays between 19h30 and 21h00 or on weekends between 10h00 and 16h00 by mutual agreement between the celebrant and the future spouses. Generally the meeting is held when youre in possession of all the documents.
• Do we need to book long in advance?
  We strongly suggest to reserve as early as possible. In fact, reserve with us as soon as the address, date and time of your marriage has been set. We are required by law to post your marriage notice 20 days before the actual marriage. You need to take this in consideration.
• What is the cost for the marriage ceremony?
  The cost is between $400 and $500; The price may vary in accordance to the travelling distance. Please contact us to obtain the exact price associated to the location of your marriage.
• What is the method of payment?
  You will need to make a deposit by personal check of $150 at our meeting. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will issue you by email your confirmation for reserving our services which will also serve as your receipt. The balance is due for the date of your ceremony we recommend to give us a post-dated check dated for the day of your marriage and to give it to the celebrant at the meeting; this avoid the hassle to do it on the day of your marriage. That check will be cashed in on the first working day following your marriage.