Municipal Clerk's Office

Marriage License Information

GENERAL INFORMATION
A marriage license may be obtained from the Municipal Clerk's Department (located on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Administrative Centre) Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Both applicants must complete and sign the application but only one party needs to deliver the completed form. A marriage license can only be issued to the applicant(s).

IDENTIFICATION
When issuing a marriage license to the Applicant/Joint-Applicant or both, we require identification FOR BOTH APPLICANTS(regardless of whether both applicants attend the Clerk's Office to purchase the license) in the form of:

a) A current passport (which includes a photo) or an original birth certificate
PLUS
b) One piece of government issued photo identification - i.e. driver's license, record of Immigrant Landing or Canadian Citizenship card, health card, etc., is required for each applicant.

A certified translator must translate documents in a language other than English or French. If only one applicant is applying, he/she must bring the above mentioned Identification of the joint applicant.

This identification is required for applicants.

LICENSE FEE
$ 100.00 Cash, Money Order, Debit, VISA or MasterCard only.

MINORS
Applicants 16 or 17 years of age require parental consent. Contact the Municipal Clerk's Office for further details and a copy of the parental consent form.

DIVORCED APPLICANTS
Within Canada: When an applicant has been divorced within Canada they are required to produce either the original or a certified copy of the Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce. Certification may be obtained through the Courts. These documents will be returned to you immediately.

Outside Canada: An applicant whose former marriage was dissolved or annulled in a jurisdiction other than Canada must obtain authorization from the minister of Government Services before a marriage license may be issued. To obtain the authorization, the applicants or a lawyer representing them, must submit the following to:

Office of the Registrar General
P.O. Box 4600
189 Red River Road
Thunder Bay ON P7B 6L8

1) A completed marriage license application signed by both applicants.

2) An original or court certified copy of the divorce decree or annulment(certified by the proper court officer in the jurisdiction the divorce/annulment was granted). If the decree is in a language other than English or French, Include a translated copy together with an affidavit sworn by the translator.

3) A Statement of Sole Responsibility for each divorce signed by both applicants. Blank statements are available from the local issuer of Marriage Licenses.

4) 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 1-807-343-7568 or toll free in Ontario at 1-800-461-2156. A sampler letter will be faxed to your lawyer.

If you have further questions regarding this procedure, you should call either the office of the Registrar General at 416-965-1687 / 1-800-461-2156 or the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 905-623-3379.

WIDOWED
Where the earlier marriage of one of the applicants was terminated by the presumed death of a spouse, a court order declaring the presumed death of the spouse must be provided. This document will be returned to you immediately.

EXPIRY DATE
A Marriage license is effective immediately after issuance and is valid for a period of three (3) months anywhere in Ontario from the date of issue.

RESIDENCY/MEDICAL
There are no residency, medical or citizenship requirements.

APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE FORM

ENGLISH

FRENCH

CIVIL MARRIAGE SERVICES INFORMATION

A civil marriage ceremony can be performed by the Municipal Clerk or designate, Monday through Friday in the Council Chambers (2nd floor), 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, Ontario.

The fee for this service is $250.

If you are interested in a civil marriage, both parties to the marriage will be required to meet with the officiate at least one (1) week prior to the marriage. Please enquire at the Municipal Clerk's Office at the Municipal Administrative Centre or by calling 905-623-3379, extension 253.