Marriage Licences and Civil Marriage Ceremonies

Marriage Licences

The Town of Whitby issues Provincial Marriage Licences. To apply, you can use the Ontario government’s online application portal and select the Town of Whitby as the issuing municipality.

How to Apply for a Marriage Licence in Whitby

1. Submit your marriage licence application online through the Province of Ontario's Marriage Licence Portal. Choose “Town of Whitby” as the issuing municipality.
2. Receive an email confirmation that your application has been submitted to the Town of Whitby.
3. Print and sign the application you received via email.
4. Book an appointment with the Town of Whitby with the Service Whitby Online Booking Tool (appointments only; no walk-ins).
5. Attend your appointment (at least one of the applicants must attend), bringing all required identification, supporting documents, and payment.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

1. Two forms of original valid government-issued identification for each applicant. One piece of identification must be valid government issued photo identification. Acceptable identification documents include:
   • Driver’s licence
   • Canadian citizenship card/certificate
   • Record of Immigration Landing
   • Passport
   • Ontario Photo Card
   • Original Birth Certificate
     NOTE: All forms of identification must be valid and if they are not English or French they must have a certified translation.
2. The signed copy of your marriage licence application (received via email after online submission).
3. Payment of $155.00 for the licence fee (cash or debit).
4. Original divorce documentation for Marriage after Divorce (if applicable):
5. After divorce (within Canada): Provide the original or court-certified copy of the final decree, final judgment, or certificate of divorce.
6. After divorce (outside Canada): Provide a Foreign Divorce Authorization from the Minister of Government Services. To apply for a Foreign Divorce Authorization, please visit Service Ontario.
7. Original Documentation for Marriage after the Death of a Spouse (if applicable):
8. Provide a death certificate, funeral director’s statement of death, or court order declaring death.

Appointment Details

• Service Whitby staff will call the day before your appointment to:
  • Confirm appointment time and place
  • Review required documents and IDs
  • Answer any questions
• During your appointment, Service Whitby staff will:
  • Check identification and supporting documentation for both applicants (If only one applicant attends the appointment, that person must bring identification and documents for both parties).
  • Verify the application information submitted through the online portal
  • Administer a statutory declaration (oath)
  • Collect the licence fee (cash or debit only)
  • Issue the official paper marriage licence
• Once the licence is issued by a Service Whitby Associate, the licence is valid anywhere in Ontario for 90 days from the date it was issued.
• Marriage licence fees are non-refundable after purchase, and the date of validation cannot be extended.

Replacement licence and marriage certificates

Learn how to get a replacement licence or how to get your marriage certificate after the ceremony.

Civil Marriage Ceremonies

You can book a civil marriage ceremony with the Town if you're looking for a simple, non-religious ceremony. Ceremonies are conducted by the Town Clerk or designate at Town Hall, within Council Chambers and typically last about 15 minutes. Photos and videos may be taken during the ceremony as long as they don’t disrupt the ceremony.

Booking a Ceremony

Ceremonies are available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 3 p.m.

You can call 905.430.4300 or visit Whitby Town Hall at 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby, ON to discuss booking a Civil Marriage Ceremony. Please review the Town's Civil Marriage Ceremony Booking Agreement and Guidelines, which must be submitted, along with your payment and ID requirements at the time of your appointment.

Once you have booked your ceremony, an officiant will arrange for a pre-meeting ahead of your ceremony date to confirm important details.

Ceremony Fees and Requirements

The fee for a civil marriage ceremony is $468.95 (including HST). Payment can be made by cash or debit.

During your pre-meeting with the officiant, you will need to provide:

• Your completed Civil Marriage Ceremony Booking Agreement
• Ceremony fee
• A valid Province of Ontario marriage licence (please arrange for your licence before the meeting)
• The names and addresses of two witnesses (one for each partner who must both be at least 14 years old) and confirmation that they will be present at the ceremony.
• A valid piece of photo ID for each partner (Parental consent is required for those 16 or 17 years old).
• For marriage after divorce, the original or court-certified copy of the Certificate of Divorce, Final Decree or Final Judgment if applicable. Photocopies are not accepted.
• For those speaking English as a second language, a language interpreter if required. You are responsible for interpreter costs, and the interpreter cannot also act as a witness.
• Confirmation of choice of vows. Please contact the Town for accessible versions of the options, if required.

Ineligibility

We will not formalize the marriage of any person if:

• One or both parties appear to be under physical or mental duress
• One or both parties fail to meet the age requirements
• The parties are related as grandparent, parent, child, grandchild, brother or sister
• One or both parties are currently married
• One or both parties appear to be mentally ill or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and are incapable of understanding the nature of the marriage contract and duties, obligations and responsibilities of marriage

Cancellation

View our civil marriage ceremony cancellation fees:

Cancellation fees