Civil Marriages

Marriage licences and civil marriages during COVID-19

The Clerk's Office at the City of Owen Sound is open to the public by appointment effective Monday, July 6, 2020. Please book an appointment to purchase a marriage licence or for a civil marriage ceremony by emailing weddingservices@owensound.ca or calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1268.

During the provincial lockdown, we will not be performing weddings on or off site.

Please email or call with any questions. The city website will provide any updates.

To book a civil marriage

1. Call the Clerk's Office at 519-376-4440 ext. 1268 or email at weddingservices@owensound.ca for further information or to book a civil marriage. City facilities may be booked by calling Service Owen Sound at 519-376-1440.
2. Pay the required fees by debit/credit/cash/cheque payable to the City of Owen Sound prior to the day of the ceremony.
3. Choose a wedding ceremony.

Ceremony location

We can perform your marriage ceremony at a location of your choice. There are many beautiful City venues to host a wedding. You can book these venues by calling Service Owen Sound at 519-376-1440.

Hosting a wedding on your own property

If you are hosting a wedding on your own property, please be aware of information as it pertains to setting up tents, specific parking restrictions, the noise by-law, and the serving of alcohol on private property for special events. Marriages must be held in accordance with provincial regulations regarding COVID-19 restrictions.

Information about civil marriages and fees

We can perform a civil marriage at a date, location, and time of your choice. Our Civil Marriage Information Pamphlet  contains information about the services and fees associated with civil marriages.

Who can perform my marriage

The City has a list of trained officiants who can legally perform your marriage.

Couples who wish to have a friend or relative perform their wedding ceremony should be aware of the legal marriage ceremony requirements in Ontario. Once a couple has been legally married by a registered religious official or civil marriage officiant as set out by the province, couples can then create their own 'renewal of vows ceremony' and have it performed by a person of their choice in front of family and friends.

Legal requirements

Although couples can create a special marriage ceremony that is unique to them, the provincial government sets out certain legal requirements for marriage ceremonies.

Wedding ceremonies

We have several ceremonies that couples may choose from or they can mix and match several different ceremonies together. Couples may also create their own unique ceremony. We can also include rose ceremonies, sand ceremonies or unity candle celebrations as a part of your ceremony.

Getting married outside Ontario

Every country has their own rules, requirements, and fees for getting married. Check with the Vital Statistics Office in the province or territory in Canada where you wish to get married. If you plan to get married outside of the Country, check with the Canadian representative in the country you wish to get married in. When you get married outside of Ontario, your marriage won't be registered in the province of Ontario. It will be registered in the province or country where you were married.