Marriage Licences and Ceremonies

The Town is pleased to offer civil ceremonies and marriage licences. Learn how to obtain a licence or schedule a civil ceremony below. 

Marriage Licences

If you are getting married in Ontario and not having your banns published you must obtain a Marriage License. A marriage licence is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

Before you get married, you need to ensure that the person performing your wedding ceremony is an authorized official.  The ServiceOntario website provides valuable information.

How to obtain a marriage licence

  • Download and complete the Marriage Licence Application form from the ServiceOntario website. Both applicants must sign. Copies are also available at our Customer Service Centre.
  • Send the application form and supporting documents to marriagelicences@townofws.ca.
  • You will be contacted with an appointment date and time.  (Bring the original application form along with supporting documents listed below to your appointment.)
  • One or both applicants can attend as long as you bring supporting documents for both of you. You will receive your Marriage Licence during this appointment time as long as all documents are complete.
  • Marriage Licences are $181, subject to the current Fees & Charges By-law, payable by cash, debit, certified cheque, VISA, MasterCard or money order.
  • For Fees or Charges for Services or Activities provided by the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, please refer to our current Fees & Charges By-law.

Two (2) pieces of valid identification for both applicants are required. Photocopies are not acceptable.

  1. Birth Certificate (with any applicable Change of Name Certificate) OR Current Passport
  2. A government issued photo ID (Current passport can be used if it is not used as first piece of identification)

If you are a widow or a widower, proof of death of your former spouse is not required.

If either of the applicants do not read or understand spoken English, you must provide your own interpreter. The interpreter must provide identification and cannot be a family member.

You must be at least 18 years of age. If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you need the written consent of your legal guardian(s). A consent form is available at the Customer Service Centre.

There are no residency or citizenship requirements. If you have any questions, please call our Customer Service Centre.

For more information, visit Service Ontario.

For other Fees or Charges for Services or Activities provided by the Town of Whitchurch Stouffville, please refer to our Current Fees & Charges By-law.

Divorce

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
  • 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.

Marriage Ceremonies

The Town is pleased to offer civil ceremonies, held during regular business hours in the Council Chambers. Civil ceremonies are also being offered at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre and 19 on the Park.

A civil marriage ceremony is a great option if you are planning a destination wedding and wish to ensure that your paperwork is filed in Ontario.

We will tailor the ceremony to suit your individual needs. After the ceremony, you will receive your Record of Solemnization of Marriage, a copy of your vows and a congratulatory certificate signed by the Mayor.

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

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

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.

Accessible formats available upon request. Contact 905-640-1900 or customer.service@townofws.ca for assistance.
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