Place of the marriage ceremony

You and your intended spouse are free to choose the place where your marriage will be solemnized, such as:

  • a church in the city where you grew up, or that is architecturally attractive;
  • a courthouse;
  • a reception room in a hotel; 
  • a park or garden.

However, you must ensure that the place:

  • is suitable for a solemn ceremony;
  • has a suitable layout;
  • is covered by your celebrant’s authorization to solemnize marriages.

Places where you may be married by an officiant

The place where you marry may depend on the officiant you have chosen. The following table shows the places where each type of celebrant may solemnize a marriage. 

OfficiantPlace where the officiant may solemnize a marriage
  • Court clerk
  • Deputy clerk
  • Courthouse;
  • Hospital or any other health and social services establishment, if one of the intended spouses is living there because of his or her state of health and cannot move;
  • Detention centre or penitentiary if one of the prospective spouses is detained there.
  • Mayor
  • Municipal councilor
  • Municipal officer
  • City hall of the municipality concerned;
  • Any place within the territory of the municipality concerned.
  • Notary
  • Any place agreed on with the officiant
  • Close relative authorized to act as officiant
  • Any place agreed on with the officiant
  • Minister of religion
  • Place of worship

Marriage solemnized outside Québec

You and your intended spouse may marry outside Québec, for example in another province or country. However, to make sure that you marriage is recognized in Québec, you must ensure that it complies with:

When you return to Québec, your life together will be subject to the rules in force in Québec. This means, in particular, that you will have to comply with the rules on family patrimony and matrimonial regimes.

Registration of your act of marriage in the register of civil status

To facilitate administrative procedures in the future, you should register your act of marriage in Québec's register of civil status.

Last update: December 5, 2024

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