Civil Ceremonies

What to bring to the consultation meeting

When attending your consultation meeting with the Officiant, the couple (both individuals are required to attend) should come prepared with the following:

• A valid marriage licence (not required for the renewal of vows)
• Completed Civil Marriage Ceremony Questionnaire(PDF, 214.17 KB)
• Preferred time, date and location (either Council Chambers or outdoors at City Hall) for the civil marriage ceremony (separate date from consultation)
• One piece of current, valid photo identification for each person
• Written copies of any personal vows. Couples may use these vows as they are or come prepared with suggestions:
  • Ceremony Option 1(PDF, 124 KB)
  • Ceremony Option 2(PDF, 121.71 KB)
  • Ceremony Option 3(PDF, 122.86 KB)
  • Ceremony Option 4(PDF, 80.28 KB)
• Payment for the Civil Marriage Ceremony Fees (cash, money order, debit or credit card)

The City of Hamilton offers civil marriage ceremonies to couples looking to have a simple, non-religious marriage ceremony or vow renewal at Hamilton City Hall by appointment only Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Locations are subject to availability

Council Chambers

(Maximum occupancy - 191 persons including the Officiant, the couple, the 2 witnesses)

Marriage Ceremony Room

Maximum Occupancy 10 persons including the Officiant, the couple, the 2 witnesses

Outdoors on City Hall property

(Maximum occupancy - 40 persons including the Officiant, the couple, the 2 witnesses)

About the ceremony

• No bubbles, candles, confetti, decorations or incense is permitted in or around City Hall.
• Couples must provide two witnesses for their ceremony. Witnesses must be 14 years of age or older. A witness must be able to understand and appreciate what is taking place and give evidence of such at a later date, if required. The fee for the City to provide witnesses is $29.50 (HST included) per witness.
• Couples must also provide an interpreter if they do not speak English and/or require language assistance. The interpreter cannot be one of the witnesses to the ceremony and will be required to complete and sign the Interpreter Certificate(PDF, 110.52 KB) confirming that they have interpreted the marriage ceremony. The officiant may cancel the ceremony if they feel that any of the parties to the marriage or any of the witnesses cannot understand the nature of the marriage contract. 

After the ceremony

• Once the ceremony is complete, the Officiant will forward the marriage licence to the Province of Ontario to be registered. 
• Couples will be given the Record of Solemnization of Marriage but this is not a legal record of the marriage. 
• The Marriage Certificate is the legal record of the marriage and must be ordered by the couple from ServiceOntario.