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Marriage Licenses and Certificates

Marriage License Requirements

The application forms for marriage licenses can be obtained in the Municipal Clerk's Department or online. Download the Ontario Marriage License Application form

Complete the form in its entirety. Bring the completed form and all information/documentation required by the Government of Ontario to Town Hall between 8:30am and 4:00pm:

  1. The completed form MUST have signatures from both applicants 
  2. Original divorce or a CERTIFIED COPY by the administrative office of the court where the divorce was granted with their seal affixed or otherwise authenticated by the court. Where the divorce is in another language other than English, a certified translation from someone other than one of the applicants is required. These documents will be returned to the applicants.

    IF YOU ARE DIVORCED, we are required to examine and record the court file number of the original or court-certified copy of the Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce. A divorce judgment will not be accepted.

    Any divorce(s) granted outside of Canada requires special authorization from the Province BEFORE the marriage license application can be processed by the municipal licensing officer. If the divorce was granted outside Canada, please consult the Clerk's department for further details. Foreign Divorce Requirements Statement of Sole Responsibility.
  3. We are required to examine two pieces of identification, such as a birth certificate, any change of name certificates, current passport, Record of Immigrant Landing or Canadian citizenship card as proof of identity ALONG WITH photo identification (i.e. driver's license or photo health card) for BOTH parties to the intended marriage. Applicants age 16 and 17 require both parents' consent. Persons under 16 years are not permitted to marry.
  4. It is strongly encouraged that BOTH applicants attend to obtain a marriage license. If both parties cannot attend, the application form MUST be signed by both parties. One person can then obtain this license if they bring in two pieces of identification for each applicant (as described above)including photo identification (i.e. driver's license or photo health card).

Marriage Certificates

Marriage Certificates are only issued by the Government of Ontario and must be complete and submitted directly to their offices. Download Ontario Marriage Certificate Application Form

Marriage Solemnization

By-law 02/2012 passed on January 10, 2012 appointed Ms. Sandra Bell-Buttars to provide civil marriage solemnization services for the Municipality of Port Hope on Friday afternoons in the Mayor's Office, front lawn of the Town Hall or in Rotary Park.  If you are interested in using this service, please contact Ms. Bell-Buttars at 905-885-4009 ext. 2450, leave a message with your contact information and she will return your call at the earliest opportunity or you can email her at marriage@porthope.ca

A listing of individuals qualified under the Ontario legislation to officiate marriages can be obtained from the Municipality of Port Hope - Administration office at 905-885-4544.