Marriage Services

Getting married is an exciting and important part to a future together with your spouse.

There are 3 important steps to review before getting married:

1. Getting a Marriage Licence
2. Getting Married (Your Ceremony)
3. Getting your Marriage Certificate after the Ceremony

Kawartha Lakes is pleased to assist you by providing information about the following 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.

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)

    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).

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

    Kawartha Lakes Council Chambers provides a legal and formal atmosphere for a ceremony. This room previously served for decades as the main courtroom for Victoria County, and now serves as the Council Chambers for most Kawartha Lakes City Council meetings.

    Council Chambers is suitable for weddings accommodating up to 20 guests.

    

    The Victoria Room, overlooking Francis Street to the South, previously served as the Council Chambers for the Victoria County Council, and now acts as a multi-purpose function room for Kawartha Lakes City business activities. This room is our most popular location for couples to have their ceremony. The adjacent conference room, known as the Weldon Room, may also be booked for last-minute preparations.

    The Victoria Room is suitable for weddings accommodating approximately 20 guests.

    

    The bright 2nd Floor Atrium at City Hall overlooks the main lobby on the Colborne Street side of the building, and provides an intimate venue for a wedding ceremony. The atrium was the location of the very first wedding at Kawartha Lakes City Hall.

    The 2nd Floor Atrium is suitable for weddings accommodating up to 8 guests.

    

    There is something special about being married on the steps of City Hall, and the Southeast Exterior Staircase provides a suitable outdoor venue on the Cambridge Street side of City Hall. While it once was the main business entrance to City Hall, the doors now are sealed closed, so wedding ceremonies won't be interrupted.

    The Southeast Exterior Staircase are suitable for weddings up to 20 guests (weather permitting), however only 8 outdoor chairs (pictured below) are included. Additional seating may be brought with you for the ceremony, or extra guests may stand for the ceremony (typically no longer than 15 minutes). Couples that select this location are also requested to select an alternate indoor space in case of inclement weather on the date of the ceremony. An additional photo of this space is also available at the bottom of this page.

    

    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:

    1. The celebrants for the civil marriage ceremony do hereby consent to defend and indemnify the Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes (hereinafter referred to as the “City”) for any loss or damages incurred by their invitees. The celebrants agree that the City will not be held responsible for personal injury or damage, nor for the theft or loss of any personal property of anyone attending a Municipal Facility on the invitation of the celebrants.
    2. The celebrants shall be responsible for the conduct and supervision of all persons admitted to the Municipal Facility and shall see that all regulations pertaining to the event are strictly followed.
    3. The Municipal Facility may only be used for civil marriage ceremonies conducted by Municipal staff.
    4. All exits must be kept free from obstruction in case of fire.
    5. The Municipal Facility will be available for a maximum of one hour only. 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, bubbles, open flame, including candles or incense, are allowed in or on the grounds of the Municipal Facility.
    6. A wedding booking is not confirmed until this acknowledgement has been completed and returned to the City Clerk’s Office with full payment.
    7. 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. (Marriage Act, 1990 - Section 7)
    8. It is the celebrants 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 certificate that he/she has interpreted the wedding ceremony as required.
    9. No religious connotation or demonstration of faith shall be demonstrated by the Officiant.
    10. Music may be arranged by the celebrants for use 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.
    11. The celebrants, and their invited guests, shall adhere to all parking rules and regulations when attending a Municipal Facility.

    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

    Immediately following a marriage ceremony either person may 'assume' their spouse's last name, or a hyphenated last name. This means you can begin the process to change things like your signature, account information, and utility bills right away. You can also assume your spouse’s last name on government documents such as:

    • health card
    • driver’s licence
    • Ontario Photo Card
    • passport

    To change your last name on these documents after you have assumed your spouse’s last name, bring your Marriage Certificate, and appropriate identification, and visit the appropriate Service Ontario, Passport Canada, or Service Canada location.

    Assuming a spouse’s last name after marriage does not change the name on your Ontario Birth Certificate or Social Insurance Number Card. To change your name on those documents you should consider a legal name change.