Marriage Services

Please read all instructions carefully before booking your appointment. Marriage Licences are issued by appointments (Fridays only). Appointments are held at City Hall at 26 Francis Street South, Lindsay.

Book a Marriage Licence Appointment

Fillable PDF Marriage Licence Application

Simple PDF Marriage Licence Application

Marriage Licence Basics:

Please be advised that no walk-in marriage licences will be issued.

Marriage Licences are the document that is signed during your ceremony. Without a marriage licence (or a banns document obtained from your church), you aren't legally married.

Please note the following prior to scheduling an appointment:

• Fees: The fee is $140.00 for a Marriage Licence and is payable by cash, debit or credit on the appointment date.
• Mandatory Information: You must have a ceremony arranged with a registered officiant in the Province of Ontario. You must know:
  
  • when is your intended date for the ceremony (must be within 90 days of your marriage licence appointment); 
  • where is your intended location for the ceremony (must be within Ontario); and
  • who will marry you, your officiant
    • If you do not have an officiant to conduct your ceremony, you may request a list of verified local area officiants who have provided their names to the City prior to booking your appointment. You may also consider a ceremony conducted by a Municipal Clerk at City Hall (see tab below)
• Validity Period: A Marriage Licence is only valid for ninety (90) days from the date of your appointment (some emergency related exceptions may apply). This means once you have your marriage licence, you have 90 days to get married. You cannot obtain a marriage licence if your intended date of your ceremony is more than 90 days from the date of your appointment. If you have to postpone your ceremony for any circumstance, contact the City Clerk's Office for options.
• Where else can I get a licence: A marriage licence may be obtained from almost any Lower or Single-Tier municipal office in Ontario for any ceremony held in Ontario. There is no requirement to obtain a marriage licence from the Municipality you live in, or the Municipality where the ceremony occurs.
• Where can I get married with a Marriage Licence: A marriage licence may be used anywhere in the Province of Ontario. An Ontario marriage licence may not be used for ceremonies held outside of Ontario (eg: a Caribbean/Mexico destination weddings).

Appointment Preparation:

To confirm your Marriage Licence Appointment you are required to upload the following documentation by Monday at 4:30pm prior to your appointment on a Friday afternoon (booked using link above). A link to the upload site will be emailed to you when you book your appointment. Failure to submit required documentation by the deadline before your appointment may result in the forfeiture of your appointment. You are also required to bring all the required documentation to you in-person appointment for visual verification.

1. A complete and signed Marriage Licence Application form (fillable) or Marriage Licence Application Form (simple) including:
   • The signatures of both you and your future spouse
   • Only including your legal parents listed on your birth certificate/registration. The application form allows applicants to list up to 4 legal parents.
   • Using your parents legal names as listed on their birth certificates (not existing married names). Double check that short-form names of your parents do not have a longer version on their birth certificates (eg: Bill vs William, Kathy vs Katherine)
   • Your Religion/Spirituality or Religious Denomination. If you have no religious affiliation, please write the word None in the box to verify to our issuers that that box has not been accidentally left blank.
2. Both applicants must provide two (2) original pieces of government-issued identification. One piece of identification must include a photo. Examples of government-issued identification:
   • valid driver's licence
   • valid passport
   • government-issued birth certificate,
     • including any change of name certificates (if applicable)
     • If a birth certificate is in a language other than English or French, include a translated copy together with an affidavit sworn by a certified translator.
   • valid Ontario Photo Card
   • record of immigrant landing
   • Canadian Citizenship Card
   • Health card is not a recommended form of identification
   • If only one person attends the appointment on behalf of both parties an original birth certificate or passport of the absent person must be one of the two pieces of ID of the person who is not in attendance at the appointment.
3. If either of you are a widow or widower, a copy of the death certificate for the deceased spouse will be required (if applicable).
4. If either of you were divorced within Canada, the original or court-certified copy of the 'Certificate of Divorce' will be required.  A certified copy of the certificate of divorce may be obtained from the court that granted the divorce. A 'Divorce Order' will not be accepted as proof of divorce.
   • If the applicant or the joint applicant was divorced outside of Canada authorization from the Ministry of Government Services will be required before a Marriage Licence can be obtained.  To obtain authorization from the Ministry the following documents would need to be sent to the Office of the Registrar General:
     • A completed Marriage Licence Application Form.
     • A Statement of Sole Responsibility for each applicable divorce signed by both parties of this marriage.
     • An original or court-certified copy (certified by the proper court officer in the jurisdiction the divorce or annulment was granted) 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 you call (807)-343-7492 or toll-free at 1-800-461-2156.
       • The Office of the Registrar General, Marriage Office, P.O. Box 4600, 189 Red River Rd. Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6L8
5. Both applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. Any applicant aged sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age will require the consent of both parents or all legal guardians.  A consent form is available from staff at the Clerk's Office at City Hall.

Appointment Day Specifics:

Please review the specifics for the day of your appointment:

1. Appointments will be held at City Hall at 26 Francis St. (This is not Old Lindsay Town Hall on Kent St. W.)
2. Don't forget to bring all original paperwork and ID with you (see above)
3. Payment of $140.00 can be made in person by cash, debit, or credit
4. If only one person attends, remember to bring the ID of the other person (include a birth certificate or passport)
5. Appointments will last less than 15 minutes. You will sign the pre-prepared marriage licence at the appointment. Municipal staff will take a copy of the signed licence, and provide you with some basic information regarding your marriage licence.
6. Face coverings or protective masks may be worn during the appointment, however, municipal staff may ask you to temporarily remove your face covering to verify your ID

If you want more information about getting married in Ontario, visit the Service Ontario website, and if you have further questions please call 705-324-9411 or email the Clerks Office

Who can marry us?

Marriage Ceremonies in Ontario can be performed by:

• a Registered 'Religious' Officiant with the Province of Ontario;
• a Federal or Provincial Judge, Justice of the Peace, Provincial Case Management Master,
• a Municipal Clerk or Deputy Clerk; or
• a person who belongs to a band, First Nation, Metis, or Inuit organization or community or Indigenous entity, and is registered under the Marriage Act to solemnize marriages in Ontario.

Please Note: Unfortunately, it isn't very easy to have a friend or family member take an online course to become a registered officiant in Ontario within a short period of time. However, a list of verified local area officiants who have provided their names to the municipality is available upon request by calling the City Clerk's Office (705-324-9411 ext. 1342).

Marriage Ceremonies at City Hall with a Municipal Clerk

Looking for something simple? Exchange your wedding vows in a civil marriage ceremony at Kawartha Lakes City Hall.

Ceremonies may be performed by a Municipal Clerk during business hours at City Hall (9:00am-4:00pm, weekdays). Special requests (for an additional fee) may be made to have a ceremony at City Hall after hours, or off-site (anywhere in Ontario, subject to availability).

Most ceremonies are 15 minutes or less, and are celebrated with close family and friends. Many ceremonies are only conducted with 5 people in attendance:

• The couple getting married;
• Two witnesses; and
• The Officiant (the Municipal Clerk).

Apply to get married at City Hall and/or with a Municipal Clerk

Kawartha Lakes City Hall (26 Francis Street Lindsay) offers the following locations for wedding ceremonies:

Marriage Ceremony Availability Enquiry

Couples interested in booking a civil marriage ceremony with a Municipal Clerk must submit the Marriage Ceremony Availability Enquiry Form. Once submitted, Clerk's Office staff will contact you within 5 business days to advise of availability, and to book a pre-ceremony consultation. The form must be submitted 10 days prior to the date of the ceremony. No walk-ins (same day ceremonies) are permitted.

Pre-Ceremony Consultation Meeting

Couples are required to attend a pre-ceremony consultation meeting prior to the wedding. Both applicants need to be in attendance, and you will need to bring with you:

• A valid Ontario Marriage Licence (this can be obtained from City Clerk's Office staff just prior to the meeting)
• Your Photo ID (Driver's Licence, Ontario Photo Card, and/or Passport)
• Ceremony Fee (see below)

During the Pre-Ceremony Consultation meeting you will:

• Select a location at City Hall;
• Review and select a script for your ceremony;
• Review the Marriage Licence;
• Complete and sign the Ceremony Acknowledgement (see terms below);
• Discuss any particulars unique to your ceremony.

Ceremony Acknowledgement

Couples looking to get married at City Hall are required to acknowledge and agree to the following terms:

Ceremony Fees

Fees for the ceremony are paid at the pre-ceremony consultation meeting. Cash, money order, debit or credit (no personal cheques) are accepted. The fees currently are:

• $260 if held at City Hall during regular business hours
• $311 if held at City Hall outside of regular business hours
• $363 if held offsite plus mileage at the city rate
• $52 for any rehearsal attendance by officiant
• No other gratuities accepted

This fee includes the Officiant to perform the ceremony and the use of City Hall for the ceremony. These fees do not include the cost of a Marriage Licence, which is $140.00 if obtained at City Hall in Kawartha Lakes. A Marriage Licence may be obtained at any Lower or Single Tier Municipal Office in Ontario.

The Ceremony Day

Some things to you should consider for the date of the ceremony at City Hall include:

1. Changes to date and/or time are allowed at no additional charge provided that the location and Officiant are available. No refund will be issued if the ceremony is cancelled the day of the ceremony, or the applicant(s) and witnesses do not appear for the ceremony.
2. While requests for ceremonies on the weekends, or holidays are permitted, the likelihood of getting confirmation of an available municipal clerk, is significantly higher during weekday office hours at City Hall. Officiating staff receive no extra compensation for performing a ceremony after-hours or on a weekend/holiday. No gratuities are to be accepted by Municipal Staff.
3. Please plan to arrive at least 10-20 minutes prior to the ceremony to allow time to review final details. Late arrivals must be aware that your booking is only for 1 hour. Arriving 30-45 minutes late may require you to reschedule your ceremony. The Municipal Clerks who are officiating the ceremony have many other duties and responsibilities to attend to at City Hall, and can only designate 1 hour maximum per ceremony.
4. Minimal decorating, i.e. flowers, balloons, etc., is permitted, however, must be approved by the officiant in advance of the ceremony. Decorating is allowed 15 minutes prior to the ceremony and must be removed within 15 minutes following the conclusion of the ceremony. No affixed decorations, confetti, rice, bird seed, bubbles, open flame, including candles or incense, are allowed in or on the grounds of the Municipal Facility. Couples may be charged with the cost of cleanup should any debris be found.
5. Alcohol or other intoxicating substances are not to be used by the celebrants or their witnesses prior to the ceremony. If the Officiant believes that if either of the celebrants are inebriated and lack the mental capacity to marry, the ceremony may be cancelled at the discretion of the Officiant. No alcohol or drugs are permitted on City property.
6. Music may be arranged by the applicant before and after the ceremony. When selecting the type of music consideration should be given to its appropriateness and contribution to the dignity of the occasion. You may also want to select a friend or family member to press play at the right time.
7. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide an interpreter if they do not speak English and/or require language assistance. The interpreter cannot be one of the witnesses. The interpreter will be required to sign a form that he/she has interpreted the wedding ceremony as per requirements.
8. Pictures and/or videos may be taken during the ceremony provided there is no disruption of the ceremony. Let us know if you are planning to bring a professional photographer.
9. The Officiant is only responsible for preparing the script and officiating the ceremony and therefore not responsible for other activities for the ceremony (i.e. photography, wedding planning, organizing processionals, etc.).

If you have made special arrangements to request a Municipal Clerk to perform your ceremony outside of City Hall, you should also consider the following:

1. Additional rental fees apply to other municipal facilities (City owned Halls, or parks). Bookings for these facilities will need to be made through the appropriate Department or organization. Arrangements at private facilities are the responsibility of the applicants.
2. Ceremonies held at venues outside of the boundaries of the City of Kawartha Lakes by one (1) hour or 100km drive and/or during inclement weather may be subject to an additional fee to cover accommodations of the Officiant.

Marriage Certificates

A marriage certificate is a record of a marriage. It lists the date and place of the marriage, and names of the people who were married.

It is not mandatory to obtain one following a ceremony, but is recommended if either party is considering changing their name (see below).

A record of solemnization of marriage is not the same as a marriage certificate.

Before you can get a marriage certificate, a marriage needs to be registered. The officiant who performed the marriage will do this by sending a complete and signed marriage licence to the Registrar General's Office of Ontario. You can order a marriage certificate about 6-8 weeks after this happens.

Following the 6-8 week waiting period after the ceremony, you can request your marriage certificate by visiting the Service Ontario website.

Name Changes

There are 2 ways to change your last name following a marriage ceremony (more information can be found on the Service Ontario website):

1. "Assume" your spouse’s last name
2. Legally change your last name