How can my buddy solemnize a marriage?

April 4, 2006 8:44 AM

MarriageFilter: Is it possible for an average citizen in Manitoba, Canada to legally perform/solemnize a marriage ceremony?

There are rumours that one can apply for a one-day "license to solemnize a marriage" here in Manitoba.

The Marriage Act cofuses me.

Are there any Manitoban Mefites with temporary marriage solemization experience?

Would an online ordaination do the trick?

posted by stungeye to law & government (4 comments total)

These folks would almost certainly be able to answer if no-one here knows for sure. (For every possible wedding-related question, someone on those forums has already tried whatever's being wondered about, it seems.)
posted by mendel at 9:27 AM on April 4, 2006

I found a google cache page that seems to have some good information. Seems like it can be done but you may have to jump through some hoops. Call the number given for Vital Statistics in Manitoba for more information.
posted by JanetLand at 9:44 AM on April 4, 2006

I don't think that what you're talking about would work...as discussed in s.2 of the Marriage Act:

If duly authorized as herein provided a person 18 years of age or more who is
(a) a member of the clergy, a rabbi, or an official of a religious denomination corresponding to a member of the clergy or a rabbi, duly ordained or appointed according to the rites and ceremonies of the religious denomination to which he belongs; or
(b) a catechist, an evangelist, a missionary, or a theological student duly appointed or commissioned by the governing body of a religious denomination with special authority to solemnize marriages;
may solemnize the ceremony of marriage between any two persons not under a legal disqualification to contract the marriage.

This basically means that if you fit into one of the above categories, you can solemnize a marriage...and s.3(2) seems to confirm that registration to solemnize marriages will be REFUSED unless you fit into one of the s.2 categories.

But who knows...maybe there's some obscure exception out there, although it doesn't seem to be in plain sight.
posted by johnsmith415 at 2:54 PM on April 4, 2006

The obscure exception would be "7(1) The minister may appoint any person more than 18 years of age as a marriage commissioner for the province or any part thereof specified by the minister and the person may solemnize ceremonies of marriage in accordance with the tenor of the appointment." Application would have to be made through Vital Statistics which is an agency of Consumer and Corporate Affairs which is a division of Manitoba Finance the minister of which is Greg Selinger.

I don't know if they do one-day licenses or not. I would try the 1-800 number on the Vital Statistics page for starters.
posted by shoesfullofdust at 6:05 PM on April 4, 2006