Pilot program allows for anyone to officiate your wedding in Alberta
Posted Feb 14, 2020 7:28 am.
Last Updated Feb 14, 2020 11:37 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The Government of Alberta has changed the rules on who is allowed to officiate weddings.
The government is introducing a pilot project which will allow any Canadian to act as a wedding commissioner for one day.
The guidelines state the person as to be at least 18-years-old and can’t charge a fee to perform a marriage. The temporary commissioner also can’t represent themselves as a permanent marriage administrator or solicit the business.
Under the old rules, the government needed written approval for anyone else to preside over a wedding if no other legally approved officiant was available.
Clergy or representatives with a religious organization can’t be appointed as a marriage commissioner as they follow under different rules for performing religious marriage ceremonies.
There is no cost to apply for a marriage commissioner but the process could take up to one week to complete.
A representative for the Minister of Service Alberta said the government will evaluate the pilot project in the spring to determine the next steps.
