Persons Authorized to Solemnize Marriage:

Only religious officials and marriage commissioners are allowed to perform marriage ceremonies for couples who are eligible to marry.

No one other than a religious official or a marriage commissioner is allowed to perform a marriage ceremony.

Time Limitations:

No marriage shall be solemnized under the authority of a licence more than 3-months after the date of its issue.

Entitlement to Marriage:

Any couple who is eligible to marry can choose to have their ceremony performed by either a religious official or a marriage commissioner.

Licence Requirement:

Before a religious official or marriage commissioner can solemnize a marriage, the couple must present the required marriage licence.

Witnesses:

A marriage ceremony performed by a religious official or marriage commissioner must have at least two witnesses present, both of whom must be at least 18 years old.

Issuer Limitations:

A religious official or marriage commissioner who is an issuer of marriage licences cannot solemnize a marriage if they were the ones who issued the licence for that specific marriage.

Impaired Judgment:

If a religious official or marriage commissioner knows or believes that either party's judgment is impaired by alcohol or drugs, they cannot perform the marriage ceremony.

Language Understanding:

A religious official or marriage commissioner cannot perform a marriage ceremony if one or both parties do not understand the language used, unless there is an independent interpreter present to clearly convey the meaning of the ceremony.

Required Documents:

After the marriage ceremony, the religious official or marriage commissioner must provide the couple with a marriage certificate.

Within seven days of solemnizing the marriage, the religious official or marriage commissioner must submit the required marriage documents to the Registrar of Vital Statistics for registration.

Civil Marriage:

Marriage commissioners can solemnize marriages in their office or any other location they choose, following the specific requirements outlined.

• During the ceremony, each party must make a declaration and say their vows to each other.

• After both parties have spoken, the marriage commissioner officially pronounces them married.

• A marriage commissioner cannot perform a marriage if they believe the requirements have not been met or if there is a legal impediment to the marriage.

Saskatchewan Marriage Act s. 3-5, 5-1 - 5-9