Marriage Licences
You can apply for a marriage licence at the Township office in Elmira. You do not need an appointment but it is a good idea to call the office to make sure someone is available to process your application. You must come in by 4:30 p.m. to allow time for your application to be processed. Marriage licences are valid for 90 days after they are issued.
At least one of the individuals getting married must submit the application in person. Both of your original signatures must be on the application form and two original pieces of government issued ID for each party is required. The following ID will be accepted:
- Birth certificate
- Valid passport
- Valid driver's licence
- Canadian citizenship card
- Canadian government refugee travel document
- Unite States green card
- Native status card
- Permanent residency card or record of immigrant landing
- Ontario Photo Card
- Citizenship card from any country
- Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC)
- Possession & Acquisition Licence (PAL)
We will NOT accept Ontario health cards or social insurance number cards as acceptable forms of identification.
The Township accepts Government identification from foregin countries. However, documents in a language other than English or French must be accompanied with a certified translation.
You can call the Clerk's Department at 519-669-6009 for more information about marriage licences. To get a copy of the marriage licence application form, please visit our Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits page.
Divorce within Canada
If either party has been divorced, the original or court certified copy of the Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce must be submitted with the application. You can get certified copies of these documents from the court that granted the divorce. Photocopies are not acceptable.
Divorce outside of Canada
If a divorce has occurred outside of Canada, you must obtain authorization from the Office of the Registrar General prior to purchasing a marriage licence. Please be advised that the process may take at least four (4) to eight (8) weeks to get a foregin divorce recognized. For more information, please visit Service Ontario.
Marriage Ceremonies
The Township of Woolwich offers professional Officiants for Civil Marriage Ceremonies at your preferred time and location! A Civil Marriage Ceremony is a dignified, non-denominational ceremony. The ceremony must adhere to the requirements of the Province of Ontario's Marriage Act, but otherwise can be customized to the wishes of the couple. We have 6 Marriage Officiants ready to serve you. Fill out the on-line ceremony request form or call 519-669-6009 to speak to our Ceremony Facilitator.
Consider reserving a place to get married at one of the many beautiful natural and historic sites in Woolwich, like the West Montrose Covered (Kissing) Bridge or in one of our well-equipped facilities, like the Breslau Community Centre.
Fees
- Council Chambers Ceremony (seating for up to 25 people)
- During Business Hours - $250 +HST
- Non-Business Hours - $350 +HST
- Your Location $350 +HST (locations outside of the Township can be accommodated)
For more information or to schedule a marriage ceremony, please call 519-669-6009. You can also submit an online request for a marriage officiant by completing our online marriage ceremony request form. We require a minimum of 48 hours notice to ensure an officiant is available.
Visit Service Ontario for information from the Province of Ontario about getting married and obtaining a marriage certificate after your ceremony.