Marriage Licences and Ceremonies

Each partner must provide 2 pieces of original identification: one document that establishes proof of identity and one piece of valid photo identification.

Identification must be valid. original, and in good condition. We do not accept photocopies, scanned images or pictures on electronic devices. Identification must provide your legal name and date of birth. Your first and last names must match on the two pieces of identification that are presenting.

Valid Identification Documents (Proof of Identity):

• Birth Certificate (including any change of name certificates)
• Valid passport
• Record of Immigrant Landing
• Canadian Citizenship Card
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card

A passport may be used as photo identification, but if a passport is used for photo ID, it must be accompanied by a birth certificate, which will serve as the proof of identity document.

Valid Photo ID:

• Valid driver’s licence
• Valid passport
• Ontario photo card
• Native Status card
• NEXUS card

Documents that are not in English, or that do not include side-by-side English translations, must be translated by a certified translator. Documents entirely in another language without an official translation are not accepted.

Divorce Granted in Canada:

If either partner has a previous divorce, the original Certificate of Divorce must be provided when applying for a marriage licence. For Canadian divorces, this document can be obtained from the courthouse in the city where the divorce was granted. Photocopies are not accepted.

Divorce Granted Outside of Canada:

If either partner was divorced outside of Canada, the foreign divorce must be reviewed and approved by the Office of the Registrar General before a marriage licence can be issued.

To request approval, the following documents must be submitted to ServiceOntario:

• Marriage Licence Application form: completed and signed.
• Statement of Sole Responsibility: for each divorce (signed by both people who are planning to get married and a witness).
• 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.
• Divorce Decree or Annulment: a 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.

Please visit the ServiceOntario website for more information on Foreign Divorce Authorizations.

Widowed Applicants:

If your spouse has died, you do not need to provide proof of death when applying for a marriage licence.

If you do not understand or read English, you must provide your own interpreter. The Clerk's Office does not provide interpreters.

The interpreter must present two pieces of identification (one photo ID and one other form of ID) and sign an affidavit of interpreter.

The minimum age to get married in Ontario is 16. Anyone under 18 must have parental consent.

Parents or guardians must:

• Sign a Consent of Parent or Guardian to Marriage form
• Provide photo identification

Consent forms are available at the Clerk’s Office.

Marriage ceremonies are held on the dates listed below. Availability is subject to change. While we update our website as frequently as possible, the information you see may not always reflect current availability. Please contact the Clerk's Office to confirm. 

Before you call the Clerk's Office to book your civil marriage ceremony at Peterborough City Hall, please take a moment to review and complete our Marriage Ceremony Policy form.

Please note: Submitting this form does not confirm or hold a ceremony spot. To confirm your booking, you must call the Clerk’s Office at (705) 742-7777, ext. 1820 and make payment for the ceremony during that call. Ceremonies are booked on a first-come, first-served basis, and we recommend calling as soon as possible to secure your preferred date and time.

Marriage Ceremony Policy

1. Ceremony Location

Ceremonies will be conducted in the Council Chambers at Peterborough City Hall, located at 500 George St. N.

2. Ceremony Fee

The ceremony fee is $360.00 plus HST, payable at the time of booking. Your date will only be reserved once full payment is received. The fee is non-refundable if the ceremony is cancelled without valid cause or if the applicant(s) fail to attend.

3. Marriage Licence

Applicants must obtain an Ontario marriage licence from a municipal office authorized to issue them in the province. The licence must be provided to the wedding officiant at least three (3) business days before the ceremony.

4. Ceremony Duration and Attendance

The Council Chambers are booked for 30 minutes. All attendees must be in the Council Chambers 5 minutes before the ceremony begins. Late arrivals will not be permitted to enter.

5. Conduct During Ceremony

Celebrants and their guests are not permitted to consume alcohol or drugs before or during the ceremony. If the officiant believes someone is under the influence, they have the right to cancel the ceremony.

6. Interpreter Services

The wedding officiant may request an interpreter at the ceremony (at the expense of the wedding couple) if there is a concern with language interpretation.

7. Ceremony Guidelines

Weddings held at City Hall are civil ceremonies. No religious readings, vows or materials are permitted during the ceremony.

8. Maximum Attendance

A maximum of 10 guests (2 witnesses plus 8 others) can attend the ceremony in the Council Chambers.

9. Photography and Videography

Photography, videography, and livestreaming are permitted during the ceremony and are the responsibility of the wedding couple. Photos inside the building are permitted only in the Council Chambers.

10. Music

If music is desired, it must be arranged by the wedding couple. Please keep in mind that this is an office building and music must not interfere with other City activities.

11. Indemnity

The celebrants for the civil marriage ceremony consent to defend and indemnify the City of Peterborough for any loss or damages incurred by their guests. The celebrants agree that the City of Peterborough will not be held responsible for personal injury, damage, theft, or loss of any personal property of anyone attending City Hall on the invitation of the celebrants.

12. Responsibility of Conduct

The celebrants shall be responsible for the conduct and supervision of all persons admitted to the Council Chambers and shall ensure that all health and safety protocols and regulations pertaining to the event are strictly followed.

13. Fire Safety

All exits must be kept free from obstruction in case of fire.

14. Animals

Only recognized service animals are permitted on the premises.

After booking your ceremony, you do not need to submit anything further to the Clerk’s Office. Your officiant will contact you by email one week before your ceremony.

Your officiant will ask you to select the ceremony script you would like read during your ceremony. The City of Peterborough offers three ceremony script options to choose from:

Ceremony Option 1

Ceremony Option 2

Ceremony Option 3

If you have questions for your City officiant, please contact the Clerk’s Office at 705-742-7777, ext. 1820.

A marriage certificate is a document containing the details of a marriage performed in Ontario, including the date, place, and names of the people who were married.

Marriage licences are not the same as marriage certificates. A marriage licence is required before your ceremony, and a marriage certificate can be requested after your ceremony.

Marriage certificates are issued by the Office of the Registrar General and can be ordered online through ServiceOntario. Order a marriage certificate on the ServiceOntario website. 

Please note: The City of Peterborough does not keep records of marriages. All marriage records are held by the Office of the Registrar General.