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Civil Marriage Ceremonies

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Photo Gallery: Civil Marriage Ceremonies will appear here on the public site.

The City of Oshawa has reopened bookings to Durham Region residents only.
Please note: at least one of the couple must live in Durham Region. This is a temporary restriction to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

October civil marriage ceremonies will take place in the Council Chamber at Oshawa City Hall on:
- Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; and
- Saturdays at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Fee: the fee is $400 plus H.S.T. and includes a mandatory pre-ceremony meeting with the Officiant.
October ceremonies: will be limited to 25 participants including the couple, their 2 witnesses, our Officiant and 20 guests. All guests will be screened at entrance and masks will be required while in City Hall. The couple will be required to provide a list of all guest names (first and last name) and phone numbers for contact tracing purposes if needed. Note: due to COVID-19 restrictions, the number of guest permitted at ceremonies is subject to change.
Booking your October ceremony with us is easy - just 2 simple steps:
1. Check the October Availability Calendar
2. Submit an online application
After application submission: we will review your application, confirm availability and send back to you for payment. Your date and time will be held as a temporary booking for 1 week. If payment is not received during that time, the date and time will be released to others. Once payment has been made, the City will transfer your file to the Officiant who will be in touch to arrange the mandatory pre-ceremony meeting. Note: we are currently accepting applications for October only - all other applications will be rejected.
For more information: please contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 during regular operating hours - Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Venue

The fully accessible Council Chamber at Oshawa City Hall is modest but tastefully decorated and can accommodate up to 100 guests. Attendees can use nearby paid parking behind the Oshawa Public Library McLaughlin Branch, on-street or in the Centre Street Parkade.

Service

The City provides 4 scripts for couples to choose from (see below). Your booking will include use of the Council Chamber for 45 minutes. It is anticipated that your service will take about 20 minutes. Music appropriate to the occasion as approved by the Officiant and provided by the applicants is permitted. Photography and/or videography are allowed before, during or after the ceremony.

Marriage Licence

Applicants are required to obtain a marriage licence at least 1 month prior to ceremony. More marriage licence information.

Applying for a Ceremony

The City of Oshawa is pleased to offer civil marriage services to those who are looking for a simple but tasteful non-religious ceremony. Ceremonies take place in the Council Chamber at Oshawa City Hall on Wednesday and Friday afternoons and on Saturday mornings.

The fee for this full-service ceremony is $400 plus H.S.T. The fee includes a mandatory pre-ceremony meeting with the Officiant.

Submit Application for a Civil Marriage Ceremony - we will review your application, confirm availability and send back to you for payment. Your date and time will be held as a temporary booking for 1 week. If payment is not received during that time, the date and time will be released to others. Once payment has been made, the City will transfer your file to the Officiant who will be in touch to arrange a mandatory pre-ceremony meeting at City Hall.

Applicants will be required to agree to the Terms and Conditions for Civil Ceremonies.

Pre-Ceremony Meeting

The Officiant will coordinate a mandatory brief meeting at Oshawa City Hall approximately 2 weeks prior to the ceremony. You are required to attend and should be prepared to bring the following:

names and addresses of 2 witnesses over the age of 18
marriage licence
valid government-issued photo identification
confirmation of your chosen script (vows)

Scripts

The City offers the 4 following scripts for applicants to choose from:

Decorations

The Council Chamber will be tastefully decorated prior to your arrival. Candles, confetti, rice, bubbles, etc. are not allowed inside or outside of the building.

Bible or other religious readings

Civil ceremonies must be non-denominational and as such our Officiant is unable to perform any type of religious reading.

Rescheduling Requests

There is no fee if request to reschedule is received 30 days or more in advance of ceremony.
A fee of $50 (plus H.S.T.) will be charged if request is received less than 30 days and up to 14 days prior to ceremony.
Rescheduling is not permitted with less than 14 days notice prior to ceremony. Customer will be required to cancel their service and forfeit any fees paid.
Contact Service Oshawa to reschedule a ceremony.

Cancellation Requests

Applicants will receive a full refund if request is received 30 days or more in advance of ceremony.
Applicants will receive a refund of $300 (plus H.S.T.) if request is received less than 30 days and up to 14 days prior to ceremony.
No refunds will be issued for requests received less than 14 days in advance of ceremony.
Contact Service Oshawa to cancel a ceremony.

Language Translation

The City does not provide language translation for this service. If required, applicants are required to provide a translator at their cost. A translator can not act as a witness.

American Sign Language (A.S.L.)

If required, the City can provide an A.S.L. interpreter at no cost to the applicant. The interpreter can not act as a witness.

Ineligibility

The Officiant will not formalize the marriage of any person if:

One or both parties are under physical or mental duress
One or both parties fail to meet the age requirements
The parties are related as grandparent, parent, child, grandchild, brother or sister
One or both parties are currently married
One or both parties are mentally ill or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and incapable of understanding the nature of the marriage contract and the duties, obligations and responsibilities of the marriage

Photo Gallery: Civil Marriages new photo gallery will appear here on the public site.

Civil Marriage Ceremonies

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