Marriage and Civil Ceremonies

Request an Appointment to obtain a Marriage Licence

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.

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. 

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 extension 5237 during business hours.

Fee

The fee to obtain a marriage licence is $125.00. Payment 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.

Application Form and Identification - Marriage Licence

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 two (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 and expired forms of identification will not be accepted.

The primary piece of government-issued identification must be one of the following:

• Government-issued birth certificate, including any change of name certificates or;

• Valid passport.

For the second piece of identification, any of the following can be provided:

• Valid Driver’s Licence;

• Valid Ontario Photo Card;

• Record of Immigrant Landing;

• Possession and Acquisition Licence (must be accompanied by a valid Passport or Birth Certificate);

• Canadian Citizenship Card.

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, original 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.

• Marriage Licence Application

• City of Stratford Marriage Licence Requirements

Marriage after Divorce

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.

Marriage outside of Ontario

If you are under 18 years old you will need written consent from both your parents or legal guardians.

After the ceremony, the person who performed your wedding provides you with a record of solemnization as a keepsake. This is not a marriage certificate.

You may apply for a marriage certificate from Service Ontario 6 to 8 weeks after your marriage ceremony. Couples can complete a Marriage Certificate Application and mail it directly to the Registrar General's office or request the Marriage Certificate online at Service Ontario.