Religious Organizations and Clergy Registration

Religious organizations seeking authority to perform marriages must apply for recognition from Vital Statistics.

The religious organization applying for recognition must complete an Application for Registrations by a Religious Body to Perform Marriage Ceremonies (pdf) and submit it to Vital Statistics along with the following documents:

  • Certificate of Incorporation, and related incorporation documents from Service Alberta, Corporate Registry, issued according to the Societies Act, the Religious Societies’ Land Act, or the Companies Act

  • Date and place of incorporation or founding of the religious body, and length of time in continuous operation in Alberta

  • Constitution and by-laws of the religious body, including provision for ordination, appointment and dismissal of ministers or clergy

  • Religious sacraments, including the marriage ceremony

  • Proposed marriage statement to be given to couples at time of marriage ceremony

  • Address of the regular meeting place; scheduled days and hours of worship

  • Names and address of members/believers 18 years of age or older and living in Alberta (minimum 100 members)

  • Names, address and telephone numbers of clergy living in Alberta to be registered to perform marriages

  • Name, address and telephone number for the governing authority (e.g. chairman, president, elder – elected to represent the organization to Vital Statistics), including minutes appointment documents confirming their representation

Once a religious organization has been registered with Vital Statistics as being authorized to perform marriages in Alberta, the governing authority is responsible to submit the names of those clergy, resident in Alberta, who are to be registered to perform marriages.

For more information concerning applications and registration criteria contact Vital Statistics.