NOTES FROM REGISTRAR GENERAL AND SERVICE ONTARIO
Validity Period
Extending the expiry date in response to COVID-19
Service Ontario has extended the expiry date for most marriage licences. Licences are still valid for the timeframes below, unless you require a replacement licence.
Extended Validity Periods
The third province-wide emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act declared on April 7, 2021 ended at 11:59 pm on June 3, 2021. As such the first day following the end of the emergency is June 4, 2021.
The following are the extended validity periods:
• Licences issued between December 1, 2019 and July 24, 2020 are still valid and can be used until July 24, 2022;
• Licences issued between October 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 are still valid and can be used until February 10, 2023; and
• Licences issued between January 1, 2021 and June 4, 2021 are still valid and can be used until June 4, 2023.
Note: The validity period for foreign divorce authorizations issued by the Office of the Registrar General has also been extended for the same duration as the extended marriage licence validity periods noted above.
Replacement licenses
Replacement licenses are only necessary in the rare instances where couples may have lost or destroyed their unused marriage license or critical information on the license is no longer accurate.
Couples who either purchased a license that has expired or who may require a replacement license should contact ServiceOntario.ca/GettingMarried for further details.
The Town of Cobourg Victoria Hall is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for walk in clients to obtain their Marriage Licence. Couples can also arrange an appointment by calling 905-372-4301, Extension 4205/4400 or email weddings@cobourg.ca.
Necessary documents include but are not limited to:
- Original Service Ontario Marriage Licence Application (with original signatures - no photocopies ( A minimum of two birth parents should be listed - not "step" parents, unless they are adoptive parents. Please list parents' maiden/ birth names not current married names)
- Primary ID (Birth Certificate or Passport only)
- Secondary ID (Example; Drivers Licence - no Health Cards)
- Certificate of Divorce (if applicable)
Staff will confirm the appointment and give detailed instructions on how to appear for the in-person appointment. We would prefer only one person attend the appointment but they will be required to bring original documentation for both parties including the original signed Application. Photocopies are not acceptable.
Everyone appearing for the in-person appointment will be required to wear a facial covering.
CIVIL MARRIAGE CEREMONIES DURING PANDEMIC
The Legislative Services Department of The Corporation of the Town of Cobourg is continuing to conduct Civil Marriage Ceremonies during this pandemic. As per current Provincial and Health Department Guidelines and Regulations, up to twenty (20) persons will be permitted to attend, inclusive of our Officiant, the couple, their two witnesses, and up to fifteen (15) guests. Ceremonies will take place at our historical Market Building. Cost of Ceremony is $300.
Everyone attending the Civil Marriage Ceremony will be required to wear a facial covering and sign a COVID-19 Screening Form.
Applicants will have to call 905-372-4301, Extension 4205/4400 or email weddings@cobourg.ca to make an appointment for a Civil Marriage Ceremony.
Ceremonies at the Municipal Office are available: Friday Afternoons (except Holidays) 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm.
For more information: PUBLIC NOTICE: Town of Cobourg Resumes Marriage Licensing and Civil Ceremonies (May 20, 2020)
Getting Married
The Town of Cobourg's Legislative Services Department is here to assist you with getting married! If you have the required identification and applicable documents it will take approximately 20-30 minutes to process your Application and issue you a Marriage Licence.
The Municipal Clerk's Department also offers Civil Marriage Ceremonies to couples who want to have a short (ten minute) simple, non-religious marriage ceremony within the Town of Cobourg's nationally significant and heritage Old Bailey Courtroom in Victoria Hall.
| How to get a Marriage Licence Application Form |
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Congratulations, you are Getting Married! To make it legal you will need a valid Ontario Marriage Licence before your civil or religious marriage ceremony. You can purchase your Marriage Licence from the Town of Cobourg or another Ontario municipality with the authority to issue Marriage Licences. A Marriage Licence is valid for marriages taking place in Ontario and expires ninety (90) days from the date of issue.
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| How to get a Marriage Licence |
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We provide a same day service for obtaining your Marriage Licence, providing all your documents are in order. To get your Licence you will need to complete a hard copy of the Marriage Licence Application Form from ServiceOntario.
PLEASE CALL 905-372-4301, Extension 4205 OR EMAIL WEDDINGS@COBOURG.CA IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT RATHER THAN WALK IN.
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Supporting Identification Documents |
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Two (2) pieces of original and current government issued identification for each person getting married. One piece of identification must include your photo.
PLEASE NOTE THAT HEALTH CARDS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AS PHOTO IDENTIFICATION. *If the primary piece of identification is a birth certificate the secondary piece of identification must contain a photo. If you have any questions regarding acceptable identification, please contact the Legislative Services Department at 905-372-4301. |
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Proof of Marriage/Name Change |
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You will need to apply for a Marriage Certificate if you need to provide proof of marriage or if you are changing your name. The Marriage Certificate can take up to twelve (12) weeks to process. You can apply for a Marriage Certificate:
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| Civil Ceremony Marriage Services |
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The Municipal Clerk's Department offers Civil Marriage Ceremonies to couples who want to have a short (ten minute) simple, non-religious marriage ceremony within the Town of Cobourg's nationally significant and very unique heritage Victoria Hall Court Room. Please note, during this Pandemic, Legislative Services has now relocated our Civil Marriage Ceremonies to our Market Building. Prior to entry into the Building, all guests will be required to complete and sign a COVID-19 Screening Form and wear a facial covering, as per local Health Department Regulations. |
| Booking your Civil Marriage Ceremony |
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Our Marriage Officiant is available to officiate your Ceremony at our Municipal Office, in one of our several Ceremony Locations in Victoria Hall. The location is determined by the Clerk's Office and may change from time to time. Specific locations can be requested but not guaranteed.
Couples must provide:
Couples also require two (2) witnesses for their Ceremony, along with an interpreter if they do not speak English and/or require language assistance. You can inquire about Civil Ceremonies by calling us at 905-372-4301.
CEREMONY DATES CANNOT BE CONFIRMED UNTIL WE RECEIVE THE SIGNED AGREEMENT ALONG WITH PAYMENT IN FULL. |
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Civil Ceremony Fees |
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The Fee for a Civil Marriage Ceremony at our Municipal Offices is $300.00. Payable by cash, cheque or debit. CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME. This fee must be paid at the time of booking and all fees are subject to the Town of Cobourg Fees and Charges By-law. Changes and Cancellations: There is no fee for any changes to your wedding date, but a new date is subject to availability and within ninety (90) days of the date of issue on the Marriage Licence. If you would have to cancel or change a wedding date, please call the Legislative Services Office and 905-372-4301. |
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Civil Ceremony FAQs |
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For all your Civil Marriage Ceremony and Marriage Licence questions, we've got the answers. When should I purchase my Marriage Licence? An Ontario Marriage Licence is valid for ninety (90) days after the issue date. For our Civil Marriage Ceremonies, we require the couple's Marriage Licence, a minimum of ten (10) days before the Ceremony date.
How many guests may I have? For marriage ceremonies at our Municipal Offices you may have as many guest as you want as long as each ceremony is complying with the occupancy load of each location. The amount of guests can be up to 118 persons in the Bailey Court Room.
How many witnesses need to be present? In order to legalize your marriage, two witnesses must be present during the ceremony. Please note at this time, the Town of Cobourg is unable to provide witnesses for Civil Marriage Ceremonies. Couples will be required to provide their own two witnesses for their Ceremony.
How old do my witnesses need to be? Although there is no minimum age for a witness, it is suggested that they should be at least 14-years of age and should be able to understand and appreciate what is happening and to be able to give evidence of such at a later date if required. Please note at this time, the Town of Cobourg is unable to provide witnesses for Civil Marriage Ceremonies. Couples will be required to provide their own two witnesses for their Ceremony.
Can we play music during the ceremony? Yes! The playing of music at the ceremony is encouraged, but the couple must supply a music player and the recorded music.
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