Before the wedding · Quebec
Getting married in Quebec: why there’s no marriage licence
Quebec is the one province with no marriage licence at all. If you’re looking for where to buy one, that’s why you can’t find it — the step that replaces it is the notice of publication.
The notice of publication
- Instead of a licence, the officiant drafts a notice of publication and posts it on the website of the registrar of civil status for 20 days before the marriage or civil union.
- A dispensation from publication is possible for serious reasons (such as grave illness or an imminent relocation).
- Couples already in a civil union who are marrying each other do not need a notice.
- Any fee for the publication or declaration step is filed by the officiant — confirm any fees with your officiant or the Directeur de l’état civil.
Age & consent: Under the federal Civil Marriage Act, no one under 16 can marry.
Official source: quebec.ca — Officiant: before the ceremony →
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Common Questions
Do you need a marriage licence in Quebec?
No. Quebec has no marriage licence. Instead, your officiant drafts a notice of publication and posts it on the website of the registrar of civil status for 20 days before the marriage or civil union.
How far ahead do you post the notice of publication in Quebec?
The notice is posted for 20 days before the marriage or civil union. A dispensation from publication is possible for serious reasons, such as grave illness or an imminent relocation.
After the wedding
The licence is the before; changing your name and ordering the marriage certificate come after.
Guidepost is not a law firm; this is general information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change and some vary by municipality — confirm the current details with the official source above. Full disclaimer. Last updated: July 2026.