A marriage certificate is required:

• to provide legal proof of your marriage
• to ensure that the rights of spouses and children are respected
• to apply for certain social benefits
• to settle an estate.

(See more information below.)

• individuals recorded as the spouse on a marriage registration
• legal representative of either spouse
• the parents or guardian of a person who was under 18 years of age at the time of marriage
• children of the marriage to prove parentage, age, or birthplace of parents for legal purposes
• an agent, or any other person, on the written authorization of either spouse
• a person who requires the certificate for use in a court of law, for adoption, or for settlement of an estate
• an officer of the Crown for official purposes
• government departments approved by the Director of Vital Statistics when required for legal or other legitimate purposes.
  

Small Certificate (9.5 cm x 6.4 cm)

• Contains the full name of each spouse, date of marriage, place of marriage, registration number and registration date.

• Contains the full name of each spouse, date of marriage, place of marriage, registration number and registration date.

• Contains all of the information that appears on the original marriage registration.

Genealogical Photocopy of Registration (21.5 cm x 35.4 cm)

• Contains all of the information that appears on the original marriage registration. The document is stamped "FOR GENEALOGY ONLY."