Clerks
Marriage Licenses:
- Who may marry?
- Who needs a Marriage License?
- How do I obtain a Marriage License?
- How long does it take to get a Marriage License?
- What if one or both parties have been previously married?
- What is the fee for a Marriage License?
Marriage Ceremonies:
For further information on getting Married in Ontario please visit www.serviceontario.ca and go to Life Events.
Who may marry?
Any person who is at least 18 years of age may marry. Any person who is 16 or 17 years of age may marry with the written consent of his/her legal guardian(s). A consent form is available in the Clerk’s Office for this purpose. No person under 16 years of age may marry.
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Who needs a Marriage License?
Any couple that is getting married in the Province of Ontario and is not having their banns published by their Church must obtain a Marriage License.
If both parties to the marriage Worship regularly at their own Church in Canada, their marriage may be solemnized under the authority of the publication of banns.
No one may marry under the authority of the publication of banns if there was a previous marriage (dissolved or annulled).
You may obtain further information concerning the publication of banns from a Minister or a Member of the Clergy.
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How do I obtain a Marriage License?
A Marriage License Application may be obtained in the Clerk’s Office at the Civic Square during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) or at serviceontario.ca under Life Events.
Marriage Licenses are issued between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Once the Application is completed and signed by both parties the couple must apply in person for the Marriage License in the Clerk’s Department. Either the bride or groom or both parties may apply for the License. An original Birth Certificate or current passport along with government issued picture identification (e.g. driver's license) are required for both parties.
The Marriage License is valid for use anywhere in Ontario. The License expires 90 days after the date of issue if the marriage does not take place.
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How long does it take to get a Marriage License?
It takes approximately 20 - 30 minutes to have a Marriage License issued. Your Application is reviewed and the Birth Certificates or passports, picture identification as well as any applicable Certificates of Divorce must be presented to the Clerk who is issuing the Marriage License. There is no waiting period once the Marriage License has been obtained. However, you should not attempt to acquire the Marriage License at the last minute in case all the required information is not presented to the Clerk’s Office thus preventing the License from being issued.
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What if one or both parties have been previously married?
If the marriage was dissolved or annulled in Canada, the original or a Court-certified copy of the final Certificate of Divorce or Certificate annulling the marriage must be presented to the issuer of the Marriage License in the Clerk’s Office. An original Certificate of Divorce may be obtained and purchased from the Court Office in the City the divorce was granted.
If the marriage was dissolved or annulled outside of Canada, you must obtain authorization by the Ministry of Government Services before a Marriage License can be issued.
The Applicant whose former marriage was dissolved or annulled other than in Canada must obtain authorization by submitting the following documents to:
P.O. Box 3000
189 Red River Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5W0
- A completed Marriage License Application form signed by both Applicants.
- The original or a court certified copy of the Decree of Divorce or Annulment (certified by the proper Court Officer in the jurisdiction the divorce or annulment was granted). If the document is in a language other than English or French, include a translated copy together with an affidavit sworn by the translator.
- A Statement of Sole Responsibility for each divorce signed by both Applicants. This form is available in the Clerk’s Office.
- A legal opinion of an Ontario lawyer, addressed to both applicants, giving reasons why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in the Province of Ontario. A sample legal opinion letter can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar General by calling 1-807-343-7492 or toll free in Ontario at 1-800-461-2156. A sample letter will be faxed to your lawyer upon the lawyer's request.
What is the fee for a Marriage License?
In the City of Welland the current fee for a Marriage License is $100.00. This fee may be paid by cash, certified cheque, money order or Interac. Personal cheques cannot be accepted.
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Marriage Ceremonies
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
Retired Justice of the Peace, Ms. R. M. Belcastro, has been delegated the authority to perform Civil Marriages by the Clerk of the Corporation of the City of Welland.
If you prefer to have a civil marriage ceremony, once you have obtained your Marriage License, Ms. Belcastro may be contacted at (905) 734-1516 or (905) 401-5434. Ceremonies can be held at City Hall Civic Square, however, if you have another location in mind, you can make those arrangements with Ms. Belcastro for the date, time, and location for your ceremony.
Fees for this service vary depending on location of ceremony.
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Getting married at City Hall
Marriage ceremonies can be conducted at the City Hall Civic Square on Thursday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
You may arrange a date and time for your ceremony with Reverend Gary Sweetman at (905) 374-3957 or toll free at 1-866-645-1714. Currently there is an additional fee of $216.25 for this ceremony: $141.25 of this fee is for Reverend Sweetman's services and the remaining $75.00 is for room rental.
For other options on marriage at City Hall, see Civil Marriage Ceremonies above.
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Same-Sex Marriages
The Ontario Court of Appeal issued a decision on June 10, 2003 that ruled that same-sex couples have the right to be legally married. The City of Welland issues Licenses for that purpose.
Once you have obtained your Marriage License, the Unitarian Church of St. Catharines will perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples. The ceremony may be performed in the church in St. Catharines, at Welland Civic Square or at a location the couple has chosen. You may arrange a date, time and location for your ceremony with either Dr. John Mayer, who may be reached at 905-892-9315 or with Doreen Peever, who may be reached at 905-641-2050.
Two Hearts Wedding Chapel, Niagara Falls also performs same-sex marriages everyday, by appointment. They can be reached at 905-371-3204 or toll free at 1-866-251-1115.
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© 2010 The Corporation of The City of Welland
60 East Main Street, Welland, Ontario L3B 3X4 (905) 735-1700
Business Hours - Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm