BC Marriage During BCGEU Strike | What Couples Need to Know in Vancouver, BC
- Vancity Officiant
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
When a province-wide BC strike happens, it can raise questions for couples planning to get legally married in British Columbia.
If you’re preparing your ceremony in Vancouver or anywhere across BC, here’s the latest truth: you can still get married right now. The legal process simply takes a little longer behind the scenes.
Current as of October 2025
As of October 2025, the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) strike continues to affect several provincial departments, including the Vital Statistics Agency, which oversees the registration of births, deaths, and marriages in British Columbia.
This province-wide disruption has led to processing delays for official birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates, as the Vital Statistics office remains under limited operation (source: CityNews Vancouver).You can find current service updates on the BC Vital Statistics Agency official website.
While processing times have slowed, the good news is that your wedding and legal marriage can still go ahead exactly as planned.
Marriage Licences in BC Remain Available
Authorized Marriage Licence Issuers (pharmacies, insurance offices, and designated agencies) are continuing to operate as normal.The fee remains $100 CAD, and each licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.Because these issuers are private entities working under government authorization, the BCGEU strike does not affect their services.
💡 Tip: Obtain your marriage licence a few weeks before your wedding day to avoid any last-minute stress.
Your Ceremony and Legal Marriage Status
Even during the strike, your marriage is completely legal and binding the moment your ceremony is officiated and the licence is signed by both partners and two witnesses.
You become legally married on that day.
The officiant submits the completed licence to BC Vital Statistics after the ceremony.
You do not need to wait for the certificate to begin your married life together.
At Vancity Officiant, we continue to host and legally solemnize weddings daily across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.Every ceremony remains fully recognized under provincial law.
Temporary Delays at BC Vital Statistics
Because the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) strike has paused certain government operations, the Vital Statistics Agency is currently processing documents at a reduced capacity.
What this means for you:
Processing of submitted Marriage Licences is temporarily delayed.
Mailing of official Marriage Certificates will take longer than usual.
The delay does not affect the legality of your marriage — only the timeline for receiving your printed certificate.Once the strike ends and operations resume, all pending registrations will be completed automatically.
What We Do to Help Our Couples
At Vancity Officiant, we prioritize both accuracy and peace of mind throughout this temporary period.
We keep your signed Marriage Licence and all documents securely on file until submission.
We scan and provide a digital copy that can serve as temporary proof of marriage.
We mail your documents immediately to BC Vital Statistics so they’re queued for processing as soon as services resume.
Your Marriage Journey Continues
Every marriage officiated during this period is still valid, recognized, and deeply meaningful.Love doesn’t pause for paperwork — and your commitment is just as real and legally binding.
At Vancity Officiant, our mission is to make sure that no matter what’s happening in the world, your ceremony feels authentic, calm, and truly yours.
Connect with Us
If you’re planning to get married in Vancouver, BC, we would be happy to guide you through the process and answer any questions about licensing and documentation.
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