Book Your Ceremony

Ceremonies, available in French and English, are simple and dignified and are to be conducted in an appropriate location, which provides an intimate setting upon approval of the Clerk. The duration of a ceremony is approximately 20 minutes. The service time booked is approximately 30 minutes to allow for photo opportunities, signing of the Register, etc. Civil marriages will be conducted by the Clerk or designated replacement. The Clerk, in his/her sole discretion, shall ensure the days/time/place that civil marriages will be performed are appropriate. There are basic requirements of the Marriage Act to be followed. Appropriate and dignified ceremonies will be developed accordingly. Applicants will be clearly informed of the style of the ceremony and that there will be no religious aspects included. 

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

1. Ceremonies will be conducted at Town Hall - 600 Higginson St., Hawkesbury, during regular office hours. Ceremonies can be booked on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays according to the following schedule: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Exceptions may be granted outside office hours in an appropriate location approved by the Clerk, subject to availability.
2. To book a civil marriage ceremony, applicants must have a marriage licence issued in the Province of Ontario within 90 days from the proposed date of the ceremony. If needed, the Clerk may issue the required marriage licence for a fee as stipulatd in Scheduled A of By-law N°42-2022. Applicants must make an appointment with the Clerk and provide:
   1. A completed and signed Marriage Licence Application, and;
   2. A valid passport and/or a Birth certificate, or;
   3. One of the above pieces of identification with one official government photo ID.
3. Scheduling a civil marriage at Town Hall must be done with the Clerk or designated replacement at least one (1) week prior to the intended date of the ceremony. At this time, applicable fees shall be paid, and a completed Civil Marriage Ceremony Booking Agreement shall be submitted.
4. A standard civil marriage ceremony shall incorporate all mandatory declarations under Section 24 of the Marriage Act at all civil marriages. Personal vows, in addition to the mandatory declarations are permitted.
5. The information provided in the Civil Marriage Ceremony Booking Agreement must be validated by the Clerk with the applicants at least three (3) days prior to the ceremony.
6. The Clerk or designate replacement has the authority to refuse to solemnize the civil marriage of any person who he or she knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe lacks capacity to marry, by reason of being mentally ill or mentally defective, or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
7. The persons being married are required to have two (2) witnesses present during the ceremony. Witnesses must be 14 years of age or older and should be able to understand and appreciate what is taking place and be able to give evidence of such at a later date, if required.
8. The persons being married must supply an interpreter in the event that they do not speak English or French or require assistance if the marriage officiant deems it necessary. The interpreter cannot be one of the witnesses.
9. A maximum of 8 guests (including the wedding party) can be accommodated in the venue at Town Hall.
10. The taking of photographs and videotaping of the ceremony will be permitted subject to certain limitations at the discretion of the marriage officiant. For services provided outside of Town Hall.
11. If the ceremony takes place outside Town Hall, it shall be in an approved venue other than Town Hall, and it is the responsibility of the persons being married to make the appropriate arrangements and to pay for the facility, and to pay for the Marriage Officiant’s mileage expenses to be calculated at the rate established by the Town’s travel expense policy. In addition, the persons being married shall be responsible to pay any additional established fees.