UPDATE: COVID-19 PROCEDURES FOR BOOKING A MARRIAGE LICENCE APPOINTMENT
Marriage licences are being issued by appointment only to allow our office to process applications in a safe manner. As marriage licences can be issued up to and including the day of your wedding, our focus will be accommodating those who have a wedding date in the near future.
To ensure safety, appropriate physical distancing and proper cleaning procedures, limited appointments will be booked each day. Please rest assured that we will do our best to accommodate your request to receive a marriage licence in time for your special day.
While all requests for an appointment will be reviewed, a request does not guarantee an appointment. If the application meets all eligible criteria you will be contacted by staff to confirm your appointment date and time. Please note appointment times are only scheduled during regular business hours.
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Request an Appointment |
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To request an appointment, please complete the Booking an appointment to obtain a marriage licence link. The date of the wedding must be included on the application. Payment of $125.00 will be required at the time of your appointment and we are currently accepting the following forms of payment: Interac, Credit Card or money order. Please note if the information provided is incorrect, misleading or any documents are missing, your appointment will not be scheduled or processed. You will be required to re-submit your application to be reviewed. Screening questions will be asked at the time of appointment booking and on the day of the appointment. If your health changes after submitting the form and prior to your confirmed appointment, notify us immediately so that we can reschedule. If you have any questions about the submission process, do not have access to a computer or related technology or require this information in an alternate format, please contact the Clerk's Office by email or 519-271-0250 ext 5237 during business hours. |
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Application Form - Marriage Licence |
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To be married in the Province of Ontario you must first obtain a Marriage Licence. When completing the application form, state all given names. Both persons must complete the marriage licence application and sign the form. Before issuing a marriage licence, proof of legal name of each applicant is required. The Province of Ontario requires that 2 pieces of government-issued identification for each person getting married must be presented at the time of purchasing the licence. One piece of identification must include your photo. All identification must be original. Photocopies will not be accepted. Examples of government-issued identification:
There is further information on identification requirements and information about previous divorces if applicable contained within the links below. Either the applicant or joint applicant must be present to purchase a marriage licence. If only one person is attending, identification must be provided for both parties. Please contact the Clerk's office for additional information. A marriage licence is valid for any ceremony within the Province of Ontario and it is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. If your licence expires, another licence must be purchased. No refunds are issued for marriage licences. The fee is $125.00. |
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Marriage after Divorce |
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Canadian Divorce: If you were divorced in Canada, you must provide the original or a court-certified copy (photocopies not accepted) of your Certificate of Divorce, or Decree Absolute. A certified copy of your Certificate of Divorce may be obtained from the court office that granted the divorce. Please note that a Judgment or Divorce Order issued by the Court is not acceptable proof of divorce. Foreign Divorce: If you were divorced, or your marriage was dissolved or annulled outside of Canada, additional forms are required. Further Requirements and Authorization Information Statement of Sole Responsibility Note: You will forward the completed information to the Office of the Registrar General, 189 Red River Road, PO Box 3000, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5W0. This process could take up to 4 weeks to complete. You must get authorization from the Office of the Registrar General before a marriage licence can be issued to you. |
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Marriage outside of Ontario |
| If your marriage ceremony took place outside of Ontario, your marriage is not registered in Ontario. Your marriage will be registered in the jurisdiction where the marriage licence was issued. If you require a Marriage Certificate to prove you are married you will have to contact the Office which issued your licence. The Office of the Registrar General located in Thunder Bay will not have any record of this marriage. |
| Marriage Certificate |
| You can apply for a marriage certificate 10-16 weeks after your wedding. This form must be sent to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay and may take several weeks to obtain. You may also apply online at Service Ontario. |
| Civil Ceremony |
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The City of Stratford offers Civil Ceremonies at City Hall located in the heart of Stratford's Heritage Conservation District. The Council Chamber is available by appointment for ceremonies which are conducted by the City Clerk or Deputy City Clerk. Ceremonies are conducted in the Council Chamber - Monday to Friday 9:00 to 3:30 p.m. excluding holidays, however, due to COVID-19, appointments are limited. Ceremonies cost $339.00 ($300.00 + HST). Please contact the Clerk's Office for further information or to book a Civil Ceremony. The Council Chamber is accessible by elevator. |