How to Get a Free Marriage License List Online

By Claire Dowell


When it comes to vital documents, the rules and regulations in Canada are pretty much the same as in the United States. The vital statistics office in the province, or city, where the event occurred keeps all the data quite religiously. And just like in the US, Canadian citizens have free access to Canada marriage records and other public accounts like birth, death, and divorce certificates. However, like in any legal proceedings, there are certain procedures that must be followed and requirements that must be met by the requester before he can obtain the documents he asked for.

Unlike the processes involved in getting hold of your own marriage documents, accessing other people's personal data entails a rather intricate procedure. Marriage reports are legal documents that contain delicate information pertaining to the couple and the other individuals involved. With that being said, it takes more than 75 years after the fact before the details of the event can be open to the general public. Otherwise, you will need a court order or a written consent from any of the parties whose names appear on the document itself.

Once you have the consent, you can proceed to filling up an application form that will clarify your intent in requesting access to free marriage records and other vital documents. This application form can be acquired in person at the vital statistics office in the province where the marriage took place or through online means by downloading the form from the office's official website and printing it out. You can then submit the form in person or via postal mail along with the appropriate processing fees and administrative charges.

Furthermore, a clear photocopy of your driver's license or any valid identification is also required when you submit your request. The processing period for mail requests can take up to five working days before you get the Canada marriage records you asked for. Although if you submit the requirements in person, the processing time can be cut significantly shorter as you may be able to get the documents within the day of submission. But make no mistake; these types of procedures will take time, due to the amount of processing it undergoes.

Fortunately though, other alternative means of obtaining vital reports became available as the accessibility of the Internet became widespread. Today, several commercial record providers are getting the attention of many genealogists and professional researchers. Many data retrieval services have a wide-array of vital records database that covers Canada and the United States, including its territories like Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The extensiveness of such collection can help guarantee a high retrieval rate, which is what most genealogists are looking for.

When you opt for a reputable data fetching website, another advantage that you can expect is the practicality and the convenience of the service. Aside from the relative ease with which you can acquire free marriage records from any state or province, the payment packages can also be rather cost-effective. Take for example the one-time joining fee that most providers are offering. With a one-time fee, you already have unlimited access to the site's database and other services without having to deal with extra charges or hidden costs. The method is really a terrific resource for any researcher.




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