While church weddings are usually set in churches with vicars, a civil ceremony is set in a non-religious setting with registrars. This doesn't mean it's not a proper marriage, it's still completely legal and you have a marriage certificate and everything else. There's just no religious involvement at all. 

Please remember that you require a Nova Scotia Marriage License in order to be married in Nova Scotia. If you reside in HRM,  you may go to any of the following locations:

Halifax

Halifax Access Nova Scotia Centre – 300 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Bayers Lake Business Park

Maritime Centre – 1505 Barrington Street, 9th Floor North (902) 424-4381 (to make am appointment)

Dartmouth

Dartmouth Access Nova Scotia Centre – 250 Baker Drive, Suite 134, Russell Lake West

Sackville

Sackville Access Nova Scotia Centre – 486 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville

Parties to the intended marriage must apply in person to a Deputy Issuer of Marriage Licences in their community. Find a Deputy Issuer of Marriage Licences:   

Find a Deputy Issuer of Marriage Licences

                                               Cost for a Civil Wedding

The cost for a civil wedding in a Nova Scotia courthouse is $200 and the cost for a wedding rehearsal (if required) is $100. These costs are established by the Nova Scotia Cost and Fees Act. Administrative Justices of the Peace can also bill for applicable expenses, including mileage, hotels, wedding venues, witness fees, meals, parking, and tolls.

Eloping is great for couples that value experience over a big wedding or would rather put their money toward something that is more important. Most couples that choose to elope crave a day that reflects their relationship. They are couples that value a true experience they can remember forever.

So, if you are planning an out of country wedding and want to take care of the legal paperwork in advance, if you need a marriage certificate for legal reasons, or if you just want to be legally married in a brief ceremony in front of two witnesses ( and yes, we can provide the witnesses and location).