Marriage Information

Congratulations on Your Upcoming Wedding!

Marriage licences are issued at the Municipal Office, located at 57 West Street, Goderich Ontario, N7A 2K5, during regular office hours.

Appointment Booking
Appointments are required to obtain a marriage licence. To schedule your appointment, please email townhall@goderich.ca or call 519-524-8344.

Application Requirements
Applicants must complete the Marriage Licence Application form and present two pieces of original, valid government-issued identification at the appointment. Photocopies, scanned copies, or expired identification will not be accepted.

If only one applicant is attending the appointment, the attending individual must also bring the original identification of the joint applicant.

Licence Validity
A marriage licence is valid for use anywhere within the Province of Ontario for a period of 90 days from the date of issuance.

Important Note
The date and location of your planned marriage ceremony must be confirmed prior to processing your marriage licence application.

For further details, please visit: Service Ontario: Getting Married in Ontario

The Town of Goderich issues the Marriage Licences from the municipal office located at 57 West Street, Goderich Ontario, N7A 2K5.

Call 519-524-8344 or email townhall@goderich.ca  to book your Marriage Licence appointment.

Requirements for Your Marriage Licence Appointment

Please bring the following items to your scheduled appointment:

1. Identification:
   
   • Two pieces of original, valid government-issued identification for each applicant and joint applicant, as submitted during the online application.
   • At least one piece of identification must include a photograph.
   • Acceptable forms of identification include:
     • Government-issued birth certificate (including any change of name certificates)
     • Valid passport
     • Record of immigrant landing
     • Canadian Citizenship Card
     • Valid driver’s licence
     • Valid Ontario Photo Card
   • Note: Health cards and Social Insurance Number (SIN) cards are not acceptable forms of identification. Expired identification will not be accepted.
   
   
2. Original Divorce Documentation (if applicable):
   If the applicant and/or joint applicant has been previously married and divorced, original court-issued divorce documentation must be provided.
   
   
3. Payment:

• • The cost of a Marriage Licence is $130.00 (HST exempt)
  • Payment methods accepted:
    • Cash
    • Cheque (payable to the Town of Goderich)
    • Debit
  • Note: Credit Cards are not accepted.

Please ensure all identification and documentation are valid, original, and up-to-date to avoid any delays in processing your application.

The cost of a Marriage Licence is $130.00 (HST exempt), as outlined in the current Fees and Charges By-Law.

Accepted Payment Methods:

• Cash
• Cheque (payable to the Town of Goderich)
• Debit

Please Note: Credit card payments are not accepted.

Divorced in Canada

If either applicant was previously married in Canada, an original or court-certified copy of the Canadian Certificate of Divorce (or Decree Absolute) is required. Certified copies can be obtained from the court where the divorce was granted. For further assistance, please contact the Office of the Registrar General or the court office where the divorce was finalized. 

Divorced Outside of Canada

Applicants who were divorced outside of Canada must provide specific documentation to confirm their marital status. These documents must be validated by the government, a process that may take up to four weeks.

The required documents should be sent to:
    ServiceOntario
    Office of the Registrar General
    Attention: Marriage Office
    PO Box 4600, 189 Red River Road
    Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6L8

Required Documentation:

1. Marriage Licence Application Form – Completed and signed.
2. Statement of Sole Responsibility – For each divorce, this must be signed by both applicants and a witness.
3. Legal Opinion Letter – Issued by an Ontario lawyer, addressed to both applicants, explaining why the foreign divorce or annulment should be recognized in Ontario.
4. Divorce Decree or Annulment – An original or court-certified copy in English or French. If the document is in another language, include:
   • A translated copy, and
   • An affidavit sworn by a certified translator.

Important Note:

Completed Foreign Divorce Authorizations are sent to applicants by courier. To ensure delivery, include your complete mailing address on the marriage licence application form. Incomplete addresses may result in the package being returned to ServiceOntario.

The completed Foreign Divorce Authorization is then provided to the Municipal Office along with the Marriage Licence Application form, and valid identification to obtain a marriage licence.

If you or your partner are remarrying following the death of a spouse, you must provide one of the following documents for each applicable applicant:

• Death Certificate of the Deceased Spouse
• Funeral Director's Statement of Death
• Court Order Declaring the Death of the Spouse

These documents may be electronically uploaded as part of your application or presented in person to the municipality during your appointment.

A "Record of Solemnization of Marriage" will be given to you after your ceremony; this is not a marriage certificate or legal record, but a souvenir of the marriage. The Officiant who performs the marriage will send the signed marriage licence to ServiceOntario for registration. Approximately 8 – 10 weeks after your ceremony you may apply to the Office of the Registrar General (online through ServiceOntario), to obtain your official Certificate of Marriage, the official legal record of your marriage. You may apply online at www.serviceontario.ca . 

Please note that your Marriage Certificate is NOT automatically sent to you by the Registrar General.

Why might you need a marriage certificate? 

• show legal proof you are married
• apply for certain social benefits
• settle an estate
• change a last name

Authorized Marriage Commissioners for the Town of Goderich are listed below:

Locations for Weddings in Goderich

Please review the policy on marriages being performed on Municipal lands and buildings.

To request the use of a park/beach for a wedding ceremony, please complete the request form and return it to the Town Hall along with your proof of insurance.

Parks available to rent are outlined below:

Lions Harbour Park

Adjacent to West Street at the top of the hill which goes down to the harbour and main beach.  This park has a picnic pavilion which can be reserved for a fee of $80.  It is a large treed park with a walk way that goes under a rose trellis.  Very accessible with a very peaceful feel. There is also a bandshell on site.  It has been the site for numerous weddings.

Bingham Park 
Wilson & Blake Streets has a lookout; it is treed and has a picnic area and a small play ground. It is frequently used for wedding photos.

Lighthouse Park
Cobourg Street is home to the Lighthouse. It looks out over Lake Huron and has a picnic area. It has been the site for numerous weddings.

Court House Park 
The Square in the centre of town.  It has a bandstand which can be reserved. It is in the middle of a traffic circle so it is a busier park area.  It is the location of many Town of Goderich events.

Gaol Bank
North of Gloucester Terrace between North Street and Victoria Street. It overlooks the Maitland River and has the Lions Lookout, Salt Cairn on site as well as a picnic area and swing set. There may be more traffic due to the proximity to Hwy. #21.  

Sunset Park
Essex Street at the end of Britannia Road West. It has a picnic area, field for games and lookout.

Taylor Morrison Park
North of Caledonia between Waterloo Street and North Street. It overlooks the Maitland River and has a picnic area and swing set.

All the parks in Goderich are public and we take pride in maintaining them for everyone's pleasure. Your choice of park will depend on the size of your special occasion/event and your preference. To ensure that the park is available and/or ready for your event please contact Town Hall with your request to use a particular park.