Getting Married in the Northwest Territories

If you plan to get married in the Northwest Territories, you must meet the legal requirements and follow the steps that make your marriage valid. This page explains the legal steps to get married in the Northwest Territories, including eligibility requirements, ceremony options, and how your marriage is registered.

You can get married in the Northwest Territories if all of the following apply:

• You are at least 16 years old.
• If you are under 19, you have written consent from your parents or legal guardians.
• You freely consent to the marriage.
• You are physically present at the ceremony.
• You are not currently married. If you have been married before, you have proof of divorce.
• You are not marrying someone who is legally prohibited due to a close family relationship.

You can marry someone of the same or opposite sex.

Before the ceremony takes place, you must:

• Make sure you meet all legal requirements.
• Get a marriage licence, or
• Ask an authorized clergy member to publish banns for two consecutive weeks.

Both options are equally valid under NWT law.

Use the Getting a marriage licence page to learn how to apply.

Your marriage ceremony must be performed by someone authorized under NWT law, including:

• A marriage commissioner
• A registered clergy member

The ceremony can be religious or civil.

During the ceremony, each person must state their consent to the marriage in front of the officiant and witnesses.

After the ceremony:

• The person who officiated your marriage completes the marriage registration form.
• They send the completed form to Vital Statistics in Inuvik.
• Vital Statistics reviews the information and registers the marriage.

Vital Statistics does not send a confirmation when your marriage registration is received. They will contact the officiant only if information is missing or unclear.

You can order a marriage certificate once registration is complete.