Fee Increases - Please note, effective April 1st, 2008 a number of Vital Statistics fees have changed.
Short Form		Long Form
The short form marriage certificate contains the following information: surnames and given    names of both parties to the marriage date of marriage place of marriage registration date registration number date issued Cost of certificate . . . $28.84		The long form marriage certificate is actually a restricted and certified photographic copy of the original marriage registration, it is available to either party to the marriage or to another person upon written consent from either party to the marriage. The long form marriage certificate may contain the following information of both parties to the marriage: place of marriage given and surname trade or profession marital status age religious denomination residence place of birth full name of parents birthplace of parents Cost of certificate . . . $34.85

Application Forms
Forms for a certificate are available from the Vital Statistics Office by mail, telephone or in person. You may apply on-line or download an application form to request a certificate from our Form and Applications page or directly from the links below.
     Marriage Certificate Application
     Marriage Certificate On-line Application

French Names
If the name of either party to the marriage contains any French characters or symbols, please ensure they are clearly displayed on the certificate application form.

How to Order a Certificate
In order to obtain a certificate you may contact us in person at our office, by Canadian Post mail, or you can drop off an application at any N.S. Registry of Motor Vehicle office or Access Nova Scotia office to be processed through the mail. You may also request a marriage certificate on-line.

Paying for a Certificate

Payment Method:

1) Mail:

• Cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance
• Visa, Mastercard or American Express

2) Counter:

• Cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance
• Visa, Mastercard or American Express
• Interac Direct Payment
• Cash

3) Fax or On-Line:

• Visa, Mastercard or American Express

DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL

Searches
All certificate prices include a three-year search, a three-year search may be requested without a certificate (confirmation of event only) for $5.45. The search fee for genealogy is $16.30 for the first-three year period and $10.90 for any three-year period thereafter.

Certificates are issued in accordance with information on file and cannot be returned for refund.