Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are your fees?

My fee is $300. This is for the materials I will send you from which you will construct your own personal wedding ceremony, as well as all the email and telephone help you may need in doing this. This fee also includes the actual performing of the ceremony as well as completing and sending the legal papers to the Province in order to register your marriage.

2. Are your ceremonies legal?

Yes. I am licenced by the Province of Ontario and Humanist Canada to perform marriage ceremonies. Your marriage will be registered with the Province.

You will find my name listed as a certified officiant at Service Ontario:

https://www.ontario.ca/government/religious-marriage-officiants-listed-name

If you decide to book with someone else, it is advisable to check that he or she is on this list. There are unlicensed scammers who will mess up your wedding day.

3. Can you perform ceremonies outside of Ontario?

No.

4. Can you tell me about changing my name?

Either spouse can "assume" the name of the other. This is different and much more simple than a legal name change, which requires a change in the birth certificate. Of course, there is no obligation to change your name; you may continue to use your birth name. More information is available at the Government of Ontario site (see Links)

5. Where can my ceremony take place?

That is entirely up to you. It can be in your own home or back yard or in mine. It can be outside at a park or Conservation area, at a golf course, a winery, or a hotel or restaurant. Some places require permission and a booking and require more planning than others.

6. What must be included in a wedding ceremony?

See the information given under "weddings"

7. What do I have to provide to you for you to perform my ceremony?

First you need to get a Marriage Licence. This is available from your local municipal office; fees vary depending on location. You do not need to obtain your licence in the municipality where you plan to be married. Your ceremony must take place within 90 days of the date of issue of the Marriage Licence.

You need to have two witnesses present at your ceremony to sign the legal papers that you and I will sign as well.

8. What is the difference between a Marriage Licence and Marriage Certificate?

The Marriage Licence is the legal paper that you need to provide to me before your ceremony. The Marriage Certificate is a document that you may elect to receive from the Province after your ceremony which shows that your marriage is registered with the Province. You will be provided with the application for a Marriage Certificate when you purchase your Marriage Licence; also, it may be obtained online at the Government of Ontario site (see Links). You are required to wait for three months after your ceremony before you apply for a Marriage Certificate.

9. How can we prove that we are legally married after the ceremony?

I will leave part 5 of the Marriage Licence with you, which is the "Record of Solemnization". This shows that the ceremony was performed by me, but it is not a legal document. In order to show that you are legally married you must obtain a Marriage Certificate from the Province of Ontario. You are advised to wait for three months after your ceremony to apply. You may apply with the paperwork that is provided along with the Marriage Licence, or you can apply online at Service Ontario.