Marriage Act

Marriage Act Amendments Impacting
Members of the Law Society

Amendments to the Marriage Act are expected to be proclaimed on April 1, 2014.

The amendments create a third class of persons authorized to solemnize marriages called civil officiants. The appointment process for civil officiants will be managed and administered by Service New Brunswick.

All appointments of lawyers as Deputy Clerk under the Judicature Act for the purposes of solemnizing marriages will expire on or before June 30, 2014.

Those solemnizing marriages in their official capacity as an employee of the Department of Justice or as a Deputy Clerk engaged by the Department of Justice to provide relief services at the Court of Queens’ Bench during regular Court hours will be exempt. All marriages done outside of the services offered by the Courts will now be done by civil officiants.

If members have any questions about their Clerk or Deputy Clerk appointments, or do not receive a letter prior to March 31, 2014 confirming the expiration of their appointment, please contact the office of the Registrar of the Court of Appeal and the Court of Queen’s Bench at (506) 453-2452.
Lawyers who wish to continue to perform marriages in New Brunswick after April 1, 2014 must apply online to Service New Brunswick to be appointed by the Registrar General of Vital Statistics as a civil officiant. Appointments are for one full year, are easily renewed and will allow members to perform marriages anywhere in the Province.

If members have questions on How to Become a Civil Officiant, please see the Service New Brunswick website: www.snb.ca/civilofficiant or contact the Registrar General of Vital Statistics, Ms. Josée Dubé at Service New Brunswick, (506) 453-2385.