Marriage Licence

Home/Residential Services/Applications Forms and Licences/Marriage Licence

wedding rings laying on marriage certificate

Marriage Licence Application

The City of Woodstock issues marriage licences that are valid for 90 days in Ontario.

Step 1: Application

A marriage licence is required to get married in Ontario. Marriage Licence Applications are available online or in person at Woodstock City Hall.

- Complete the online marriage licence application

- Pick up a physical copy of the Marriage Licence Application at City Hall

It takes 48-72 hours to process the application. City Staff will contact you when the marriage licence is ready to be signed. The marriage licence fee of $125 is payable by cash or debit.

Proof of Age

Proof of age must be provided. If you are 16 or 17 years of age, parental consent must be obtained before a marriage licence is issued. Contact the Clerks Department for additional information.

Proof of Previous Marriages

Divorced

If you were divorced in Canada, you must provide the original or a certified copy of:

- Final decree or judgment

- Certificate of divorce

Please note that a divorce order is not accepted.

If you were divorced outside Canada, an authorization from the Registrar General is required. Contact the Clerks Department for details.

Widowed

No proof of the death is required

Language

Applicants who do not read, write, or understand English will require an interpreter to assist them during their marriage licence appointment. Applicants are required to provide their own interpreters who must sign an affidavit and provide government-issued photo ID.

If Applicants are submitting documents with their marriage licence application that are in a language other than English, the Applicants are required to provide:

the original document and a translated version of each document completed by a certified translator
or the original document and a translated version of each document completed by a translator who swears an affidavit that confirms the accuracy of a translated document.

A directory of certified translators in Ontario can be found on the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario website.

Step 2: Pick up Marriage Licence

Once your application is processed, City Staff will contact you when the marriage licence is ready to be picked up and signed off at City Hall. The marriage licence fee is $125 and can be paid by cash or debit only.

Either applicant or both can pick up, sign off, and purchase the marriage licence at City Hall. Marriage licences are available for pickup at City Hall between 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The marriage licence is valid for 90 days in Ontario when issued. The marriage ceremony must be performed within this timeline or the marriage licence will expire. If your licence expires, another licence must be purchased. There are no refunds for issued marriage licences.

Step 3: Marriage Ceremony

A civil ceremony may be performed by an Ontario Judge, Justice of the Peace, a Municipal Clerk or designate under the authority of the Ontario Marriage Act, 1990.

Applicants who do not read, write, or understand English will require a certified translator or interpreter to assist them during their marriage ceremony.

A certified translator or interpreter can be found on the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario website, or
if not certified, the translator or interpreter must swear an affidavit and provide government-issued photo ID.

The City of Woodstock offers three (3) options for a civil marriage ceremony at City Hall, as outlined below. The cost of a marriage ceremony at City Hall is $300 + HST.

Please read the options below and select the one you would like on your marriage licence application form.

Marriage Ceremony #1

Bold text indicate the words spoken by the Registered Officiant.

Person No. 1

Person No. 2

This couple has come here today to be joined in marriage, which is the voluntary union of two persons to the exclusion of all others. If any person can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

(Registered Officiant) to Person No. 1: Repeat after me, please:

“I (state your name) do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I may not be joined in matrimony to (state Person No. 2’s name)”

(Registered Officiant) to Person No. 2: Repeat after me, please:

“I (state your name) do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I may not be joined in matrimony to (state Person No. 1’s name)”

Marriage is not a single event but rather a developing process which is not to be undertaken recklessly or irresponsibly but rather maturely and honestly. Marriage is the faithful union between two people the result of which is the formation of a family unit whose members shall help, support and enjoy each other in good times and in bad times. It is this relationship these two people wish to have declared and celebrated.

Registered Officiant to Person No. 1: Repeat after me please:

“I call upon these persons here present to witness that I (state your name) do take you (state Person No. 2’s name) to be my lawful wedded (wife, husband, spouse, or partner)

Registered Officiant to Person No. 2: Repeat after me please:

“I call upon these persons here present to witness that I (state your name) do take you (state Person No. 1’s name) to be my lawful wedded (wife, husband, spouse, or partner)

Registered Officiant to Person No. 1: Have you a ring?

This ring is a symbol of your marriage and a symbol of your love and of your life together. Please place it on the third finger of (Person No. 2’s) left hand saying after me. “With this ring, I thee wed. I shall love, honour and cherish thee and this ring shall be the symbol of my love.”

If a double ring ceremony Person No. 2 repeats the above.

I, Registered Officiant, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage Act, do hereby pronounce you (state names of persons be married) to be husband and wife (or married). May you enjoy length of days, fulfillment of hopes and peace and contentment of mind, as you day by day live and fulfill the terms of the covenant you have made with one another.

Marriage Ceremony #2

Bold text indicates the words spoken by the Registered Officiant.

Person No. 1

Person No. 2

This couple has come here today to be joined in marriage. The essence of this commitment is the taking of another person in his or her entirety as a lover, companion and friend. It is therefore a decision not to be entered into lightly but rather with great consideration and respect for both the other person and oneself.

(Insert name of Person No. 1) and (insert name of Person No. 2) have invited us to share in this celebration as they affirm their love before us, pledge their faith to one another and enter in the joys and privilege of marriage. Love is one of the highest experiences we human beings can have and it can add depth of meaning to our lives. The day-to-day companionship, the pleasure of doing things together or in doing separate things but exchanging experiences, is a continuous and central part of what two people who love each other can share.

Marriage was established that two people might have a lifelong companionship, that natural instincts and affections might be fulfilled in mutual love, that children should enjoy the security of family life, love and home.

Marriage symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives, yet this sharing must not diminish but enhance the individuality of each partner. A happy marriage is one which is continually developing while growing in understanding of the other person. By growing together in love, it is possible to share not only the joys of life but the burdens of sorrow as well. (Insert name of Person No. 1) and (insert name of Person No. 2), your marriage is intended to join you in a relationship so intimate and personal, it will change your whole being. It offers you the hope and indeed the promise of a love that is true and mature.

To attain such love, you will have to commit yourselves to each other freely and gladly for the sake of a richer and deeper life together.