What You Need To Legally Elope in Banff: Permits, Passes & Paperwork

Sarah & Tyler elope in Banff at Peyto Lake

An elopement is about choosing something more you. It’s about stripping away expectations and creating a wedding day that feels intimate, intentional, and true to your relationship.

If you’re thinking about an adventure elopement in Banff, chances are you’re drawn to the wild beauty, the sense of adventure, and the freedom to say “I do” your own way. 

As Banff elopement photographers and videographers, we’ve captured love stories on mountaintops, beside turquoise lakes, and deep in alpine forests, and we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.

Whether you want to make your marriage official here in Canada or just create an intentional, unforgettable symbolic ceremony, we support you whether you want to involve the government or not! 

Because sustainability matters to us, we don’t bounce around from one location to the next. We stay rooted in the places we serve to give you the best experience possible with a lighter footprint. We’re in Banff from July to September, and we’d love to plan something magical with you.

P.s. If you’re undecided on Banff, check out our Ultimate Canada Wedding & Elopement Planning Guide!

Can ‘Foreigners’ (AKA Non-Canadian Residents) Legally Get Married in Banff?

Callen & Alexa elope in Banff with a ceremony at Lake Louise

We’re not big fans of the word ‘foreigner’ but you know what we mean. And the answer is yes!

You do not need to hold Canadian citizenship or residency to get married in Canada which is one of the many reasons it’s such a dreamy elopement spot. Because of this, eloping in Banff is especially popular with couples visiting from the U.S. and beyond.

Plus, if you’re part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, Banff is a welcoming and affirming place to say your vows. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Canada since 2005, and in Alberta, it’s here to stay.

If you’ve been dreaming of an intimate wedding ceremony with Mother Nature acting as the decorations, an elopement in Banff might just be your calling.

Real Life Love: Callen & Alexa’s Lake Louise Love Story

If you’re dreaming of turquoise waters, sweeping mountain views, and soft golden light, let Callen & Alexa’s Lake Louise elopement inspire your own. This real love story shows how magical it can be to say “I do” in one of Banff’s most iconic spots. Browse Callen & Alexa’s Lake Louise elopement!

First Up: Your Banff Legal Wedding Checklist

Before we dive into the step-by-step how-to, here’s what you and your partner will need to legally tie the knot in Banff:

• All parties must be 18+
• Both people must be unmarried (no polygamy or unresolved divorces)
• You’ll need government-issued IDs/passports
• You must apply in person for your marriage license, at a local office closest to where you’ll be getting married (we send you where to go!)
• Each marriage license is only valid in the province you applied in (i.e. you can’t get a marriage license from Ontario and then get married in Alberta)
• Canada does not have residency or citizenship requirements to have a legal wedding
• There’s no waiting period — you can get married the same day you receive your license.
• The license takes 24 hours to be issued!
• Once approved, the license is valid for 90 days. 
• A marriage license in Alberta costs $40 (CAD)

Your Step by Step Guide To Legally Elope in Banff, Alberta

Paige & Jordan elope in Banff, starting at Banff Mountain Gate Resort

Step 1: Apply For A Marriage License

• You must apply in the province you plan on holding the ceremony in and you must apply in person. Head to the Alberta government website to make sure you have everything you need. Note: You don’t have to be an Alberta resident or citizen to apply!

Step 2: Wait For Approval

• If all your paperwork is good to go, the marriage license is usually ready within 24 hours. 

Step 3: Get Your Marriage License

• Once approved, you’ll receive a paper license. This license is valid for 90 days from the date it was issued and is only valid within Alberta. There’s no waiting period so once it’s been approved and in your hands you can get married the same day if you wanted to!

Step 4: Plan Your Elopement Ceremony

• This is obviously our favorite part! Not only do we capture the special day on film and video, we also help you plan it so the whole day is everything you hoped for (and more!). Want to know what’s included? Head to our pricing page! 

Note, there are two types of legal ceremonies in Alberta. 

• Civil Ceremonies: These are performed by a registered marriage commissioner from the province. The officiant must be authorized by Vital Statistics to perform marriages in Alberta. Note, even though it’s illegal for a marriage commissioner to refuse a same sex /lgbtqia+ or any couple in Alberta, it unfortunately happens, especially if they are religiously affiliated. That’s why we have a curated list of inclusive only vendors for all our couples, we only work with other inclusive people.
• Religious Ceremonies: These are performed by a religious clergy person registered with VItal Statistics according to the rites of your religious organization. 

No matter which type of ceremony you prefer, you’ll need an officiant registered with Vital Statistics and two adult witnesses. 

Step 5: Register Your Marriage

• After the ceremony, your officiant will sign the license and submit it for you to Vital Statistics to officially register your marriage. Don’t worry, as your Banff elopement photographers and videographers, we’re here to guide you through the process and document every intentional moment.

Step 6: Order Your Marriage Certificate

• Once filed and accepted you can order the legal document you’ll need to prove you’re married. This can be ordered online. 

Prefer To Keep It Symbolic? 

Lauren & Amber elope in a symbolic ceremony at Moraine Lake

Wondering if you need a legal ceremony? Honestly you don’t unless you want to. Not every couple chooses to make their elopement legally binding, and that’s totally valid. 

Whether it’s because of international travel logistics, legal limitations, or simply wanting to keep things simple and focused on you, here are three meaningful ways we’ve seen couples say “I do” on their terms.

Symbolic Elopement Ceremonies:

A symbolic elopement is all about the moment. The commitment, the vows, the feels all without the paperwork. This type of ceremony isn’t legally binding, but it offers total freedom to craft a deeply personal experience that reflects your values, beliefs, and relationship.

From blanket unity ceremonies to ring exchanges to hand fasting and more there’s so many ways to make your ceremony totally you!

For people that want a party when they get back home, some folks do the legal signing and reception party at the same time.

The ‘Just For Fun’ Elopement:

Some couples opt to get legally married months before or after their destination elopement at a local courthouse. 

This type of ceremony lets you enjoy the paperwork-free mountain vows, without worrying about deadlines, logistics, or laws that don’t align with your values. This can be a great option for couples navigating families with big dreams for their big day that don’t align with their own.

A just-for-fun elopement involves no timelines, no stress, just a beautiful day that’s all about the two of you.

Commitment Ceremonies:

Commitment ceremonies are often used interchangeably with symbolic elopements, but there are some slight variations. Commitment ceremonies give you the freedom to celebrate your love, without any legal or religious expectations. They’re especially meaningful for couples who may not have legal access to marriage in their home country, or simply don’t feel represented by the traditional system. 

No matter how you choose to celebrate, your love story deserves a location as unforgettable as the day itself. Now that we’ve worked out how to go about the process of legally getting married, let’s work on figuring out where in Banff is best for you!

Banff is filled with jaw-dropping spots to say your vows. Let’s explore a few of our favorites.

How To Elope in Canmore

Erin & Reagan elope at Kananaskis

Tucked just outside the borders of Banff, Canmore is a dream for couples who want alpine views without the crowds. From hidden trails to cozy forested spots, our guide breaks down the best places, permits, and planning tips for a Canmore elopement that feels like your own private escape. Read how to elope in Canmore!

How To Elope At Peyto Lake

Sarah & Tyler elope at Bow Lake in Banff

With its surreal glacier-fed blues and wolf-shaped alpine lake, Peyto Lake is one of Banff’s most iconic and epic elopement locations. We’ll walk you through the best times to go, how to avoid the crowds, and what you need to know to plan a stunning Peyto Lake elopement. Read how to elope at Peyto Lake!

How To Elope in Banff National Park

Sunny & Kitty elope at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park

From jaw-dropping lakes to quiet trails with mountain backdrops, Banff National Park has it all. This guide covers everything from permits to best seasons and logistics so you can plan an unforgettable Banff elopement with confidence. Read how to elope in Banff National Park.

Ready to Elope in Banff? Let’s Make It Happen

Whether you’re already dreaming of turquoise lakes and alpine vows or you’re still figuring out if Banff is the place for you, we’re here to make planning your elopement feel easy, exciting, and 100% you.

From navigating permits to building a timeline that gives you room to breathe, we’ve helped dozens of couples plan intentional wedding days in Banff and we’d be honored to help with yours.

Take the first step:

• Inquire here and tell us your vision!
• Explore our Banff Elopement packages
• Take a look at our travel schedule to start thinking dates!

Overwhelmed?

We get it! Planning an elopement comes with a lot of little details. Here are some of the most common questions we get from couples dreaming of a Banff elopement.

Banff Elopement FAQs