Marriages & Civil Ceremonies

Fee

The cost of a marriage licence is $130, payable by cash or debit at the time of your appointment. 

Identification 

• TWO (2) pieces of valid government issued identification for both parties must be provided;
• They must be ORIGINALS; photocopies are not accepted;
• One piece MUST be a birth certificate, any change of name certificate, current passport, record of Immigrant Landing, Canadian Citizenship Card or Adoption Papers;
• Second piece of identification MUST be photo identification e.g. driver's licence 

Age

Applicants must be 18 year of age or over to obtain a licence. 

Applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age must have both parents' consent (or parent with custody of minor). 

One Party Present

One of the applicants must be present to purchase a marriage licence. If only one person can attend, the identification listed above must be provided for both parties. The application must be completed, signed and dated by both parties. 

Licence Expiry 

A marriage licence is valid anywhere in Ontario for a period of three months from the date of issuance. Should you pass the 3 month period, another licence must be purchased. No refund can be provided for marriage licences issued. 

Divorced

If one or both of the applicants applying for a marriage licence has been divorced and the divorce was granted in Canada, the original or a certified true copy of the Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce must be provided.  Divorce Judgements will not be accepted.

Out of Country Divorces or Annulments 
Divorces granted outside of Canada require Registrar General authorization. You must send the following documents to Service Ontario:
1. Marriage license application form: completed and signed; 
2. Statement of sole responsibility: for each divorce (signed by both people who are planning to get married and a witness); 
3. Legal opinion letter: from an Ontario lawyer, addressed to both people who plan to get married, giving reasons why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in Ontario; 
4. Divorce decree or annulment: an original or court-certified copy in English or French. If the decree is in another language, you will need to include a translated copy and an affidavit sworn by a certified translator. 
For more information on this process, please contact Service Ontario. 

Widow/Widower
If one or both of the applicants are widowed, a copy of the death certificate will be required.

Any applicants that have any of the following are considered ineligible for the issuance of a license. 

• One or both parties are under physical or mental duress;
• One or both parties fail to meet the age requirements;
• The parties are related as grandparents, parent, child, grandchild, brother or sister; 
• One or both parties are currently married;
• One or both parties are mentally ill or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and incapable of understanding the nature of the marriage contract and the duties, obligations and responsibilities of marriage;
• Have previously participated in a destination or symbolic ceremony or;
• Are under the age of 16 years may be married. 

A civil marriage ceremony can take place anywhere in Ontario and look however you'd like. Your ceremony can be a brief event at a municipal facility, an intimate gathering with friends and family, or a larger celebration. Regardless of your selection, the Town of Pelham and its Officiants will give your ceremony the priority it deserves. 

Scheduling a civil marriage ceremony should be made with the Clerk/Designate at least four (4) weeks prior to the intended ceremony date. All efforts will be made to accommodate your desired ceremony date and time.

Download the Civil Marriage Ceremony Guide here. 

The Pre-Ceremony Questionnaire will provide the Clerk’s Office information about your ceremony preferences, applicant information and attendees. 

Download the Civil Marriage Pre-Ceremony Questionnaire

Hardcopies of the questionnaire are available at Town Hall.

Once completed, please send via email to the Legislative Coordinator. 

Civil Marriage ceremony fees are detailed yearly in the Town of Pelham Fees and Charges By-law.