Provide 2 pieces of government-issued identification for each person getting married. One piece of identification for each person getting married must include their photo.

Examples of government-issued identification include:

• Birth Certificate (Canadian or foreign)
• Passport (Canadian or foreign)
• Driver's licence (Canadian or foreign)
• Ontario Photo Card
• Photo identity card (other Canadian province/territory or foreign)
• Canadian Citizenship Card or Certificate
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card
• Canadian record of landing
• Canadian Government Refugee Travel Document
• Canadian Department of National Defence driver's licence (Form DND 404)
• Canadian Possession and Acquisition Licence
• Canadian Status Card
• Canadian Conditional Release Identification Card
• Nexus Card
• United States Green card
• Report Pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act with photo (Form IMM 1442)
• Student Authorization/Study Permit (Form IMM 1442)
• Employment Authorization/Work Permit (Form IMM 1442)
• Visitor Record (Form IMM 1442)
• Temporary Resident's Permit (Form IMM 1442) - formally Minister's Permit/Extension of Minister's Permit

Marriage License Only - $175 (no tax)

Marriage License Bundled with any ceremony - $150 (no tax)

Civil Marriage Ceremony (at Municipal Office during regular business hours) - $367.25 (tax included) (Officiant service and pre-consultation only)

Civil Marriage Ceremony (offsite and/or outside of regular business hours) *No Stat holidays - $565.00

* Fees subject to change, please see the Fees and Charges By-law for current fees.

The Municipality of Grey Highlands now offers Civil Marriage Ceremonies.  Ceremonies are held in Council  Chambers at 206 Toronto Street South Markdale on the last Friday of each month and are performed by the Clerk or designate. Ceremonies must be pre-arranged with staff. Alternate times and locations may be available upon request and at the availability of the Officiant.

Application for Civil Marriage Services - Please complete the form and return only page 2 along with the $60 deposit to book a civil marriage ceremony. Sample ceremony options are included for your reference. Please be prepared with your chosen options on the date of your pre-consultation. 

All ceremonies require a pre-wedding consultation prior to the ceremony, usually arranged approximately 2-4 weeks prior to the wedding date. For consultations, couples must come prepared with the following:

• A valid marriage license (date issued must be within 90 days of the ceremony and may be obtained during the pre-consultation meeting)  

• Two pieces of Government ID per applicant (one photo)

• Payment for service

• Names and addresses of two witnesses

* Please note that any Civil Marriage Ceremony performed by Marriage Officiants will be a non-denominational and dignified ceremony, which adheres to the requirements of the Marriage Act for the Province of Ontario. The Municipality of Grey Highlands has appointed the Clerk and/or designates to solemnize civil marriages in the Province of Ontario.

For more information or additional options related to ceremonies, please contact the Clerk's Office.  

 If you are divorced or widowed and planning to apply for a marriage license, be sure to consult the Government of Ontario guidelines to ensure you have all the required documentation.

In order to get a marriage license in Ontario, you must be at least 16 years of age. Review the Government of Ontario age regulations to determine what you need to get a marriage license under the age of 18.

The council chamber, located at 206 Toronto Street South, Markdale, ON N0C 1H0, is one of our venues available for civil weddings. This  professionally designed space provides a dignified and welcoming setting for couples looking to exchange their vows in an official and memorable ceremony. Council chamber offers a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, making it an excellent choice for those seeking an intimate yet formal venue for their special day.

To Book, contact: licences@greyhighlands.ca or call 519-986-2811 ext. 242

We offer a variety of municipal venues for wedding ceremonies and receptions, with features like accessible washrooms, fully equipped kitchens at two locations, and tables and chairs for your setup needs.

To book a venue or learn more, visit our facility booking calendar, email facilities@greyhighlands.ca or call 519-986-2811 ext. 108.

After the wedding, your officiant will supply you with a record of solemnization and will submit your completed and signed Marriage License to Service Ontario on your behalf so the marriage can be registered. You can order a marriage certificate about 6-8 weeks after the wedding. 

To order a marriage certificate for a marriage that was registered in Ontario, you can order online at: Online Certificate Application (gov.on.ca). 

For more information, please see the Government of Ontario website: How to get a copy of an Ontario marriage certificate online | Ontario.ca

You can assume your spouse’s last name after marriage on government documents such as:

• health card
• driver’s license
• Ontario Photo Card
• enhanced driver’s license

There is no cost to assume your spouse’s last name on the above documents. When you assume a spouse’s last name after marriage, it does not change the name on your Ontario birth registration (and birth certificate). You should change all your identification documents to reflect the new last name.

To change your last name on these documents, visit a ServiceOntario centre with your:

• marriage certificate
  • this is not the “Record of Solemnization of Marriage” given to you by the person who performed your marriage
  • you must apply for a certificate as one is not issued to you automatically
• current photo health card (if you do not have a photo health card, you must bring 3 original documents to prove you are a Canadian citizen and Ontario resident)
• driver’s licence, enhanced driver’s licence or Ontario Photo Card

When updating your last name on documents issued by other organizations, contact each organization that you have an account with and ask what they require to make the change. Most organizations will ask you to show a copy of your marriage certificate.