If you were divorced in Canada, you must provide the original or court certified copy of your Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute.

You can obtain a certified copy of your divorce document from the court that granted the divorce. 

If you were divorced outside of Canada, you must obtain authorization from the Ministry of Government Services, before a marriage licence can be issued. Out-of-country weddings are not registered in Ontario.

For authorization, the applicant(s) must compile the following documents:

• A completed Marriage Licence Application
• A Statement of Sole Responsibility for each divorce signed by both parties of this marriage
• An original or court-certified copy of the divorce decree or annulment. If the decree is in a language other than English or French, include a translated copy together with an affidavit sworn by a certified translator.
• A legal opinion from an Ontario lawyer, addressed to both applicants to the marriage, giving reasons why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in the Province of Ontario. The Office of the Registrar General will fax a sample legal opinion letter to your lawyer if they call 807-343-7492 or toll-free at 1-800-461-2156.

The applicant(s) send all the above documents to:

The Office of the Registrar General
Marriage Office
P.O. Box 4600
189 Red River Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6L8

The applicant(s) will receive a letter from the Office of the Registrar General entitled "Authorization to Issue a Marriage Licence" and must present it to the Municipal Offices

We offer three basic ceremony scripts. You can personalize portions of the script, subject to approval by your marriage officiant.

• Script 1
• Script 2
• Script 3

Both applicants must attend a pre-ceremony consultation one or two weeks prior to your ceremony and bring the following documents:

• A completed Civil Marriage Ceremony Questionnaire
• Current valid photo identification
• Valid Ontario Marriage Licence
• Receipt for payment of the ceremony

Two witnesses are required, both of whom should be over 14 years of age; they must be able to understand and appreciate what is taking place and be able to give evidence of such at a later date, if required. If you are unable to provide your own witnesses, Town staff can act in this capacity for a nominal fee. Please arrange at the time of your consultation.

Please contact our Clerks department for wedding and ceremony options and fees at the Municipal Office.

Please contact Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre and 19 on the Park for wedding and ceremony options and fees.

Applicants must provide an interpreter if they do not speak and/or understand English or require sign language interpretation. The interpreter must not be one of the witnesses. The interpreter will be required to sign a form confirming that he/she has accurately interpreted the wedding ceremony.

The Municipal Offices, Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre, and 19 on the Park. are wheelchair accessible. Accessible parking is available on-site.

Contact us to schedule a pre-ceremony consultation.