After the ceremony
After the ceremony, you must officialize the marriage or civil union by sending specific documents to various organizations, as indicated below.
All officiants, including the designated officiants of a single marriage or civil union
| Document | Time | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Original copy of the Declaration of Marriage | Within thirty days after the ceremony | Registrar of civil status |
| Original copy of the Declaration of Civil Union | Immediately after the ceremony | Registrar of civil status |
| A copy of the judgment authorizing the marriage of a minor (aged 16 or 17) | Sent with the original copy of the Declaration of Marriage or Declaration of Civil Union | Registrar of civil status |
| Dispensation from publication granted by the officiant (only when the marriage or civil union must be solemnized promptly, for example because the life of one of the intended spouses is in danger and it is impossible to obtain a dispensation from the registrar of civil status) | Sent with the original copy of the Declaration of Marriage or Declaration of Civil Union | Registrar of civil status |
| Original copy of the Return of Marriage or Return of Civil Union | Within eight days after the ceremony | Institut de la statistique du Québec |
Only designated officiants of a single marriage or civil union
| Document | Time | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| The complete marriage or civil union file (see below) | Sent with the original copy of the Declaration of Marriage or Declaration of Civil Union | Registrar of civil status |
Submission of the marriage or civil union file by a designated officiant of a single marriage or civil union
After the ceremony, you must send the following documents to the registrar of civil status:
- a photocopy of the notice of publication of the marriage or civil union or of the dispensation from publication, if applicable
- the original copy of page "4 - Officiant" from the form Declaration of marriage (DEC-50) or Declaration of civil union (DEC-55)
- a photocopy of the Return of Marriage (SP-2) or Return of Civil Union (SP-7)
- a copy of any other document used to verify the accuracy of the information provided by the spouses, such as: a birth certificate or act of birth, a release of protective supervision, a final judgment or certificate of divorce, an act of death, a joint declaration or judgment dissolving or annulling a marriage or civil union, a passport, a civil status document, etc.
