Please note: The Township of King is not accepting any further civil ceremony bookings for 2024.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Civil marriage ceremonies are performed at the King Township Municipal Centre on Fridays between the hours of 12:00 pm and 3:00 p.m. Civil Ceremonies are performed within the Council Chambers for limited numbers of guests, and are typically 20 - 30 minutes in duration. Your ceremony booking allows you access to the Chambers for 45 minutes.
Both applicants are required to attend a pre-consultation meeting with the Marriage Officiant at least one week prior to the ceremony. Contact the Clerks Division at 905-833-4069 or marriage@king.ca for availability of dates.
Pre-consultation Meeting
Along with your civil ceremony date, both you and your partner will be required to schedule a 30 minute pre-consultation meeting with your Officiant. Please come prepared to review the following at the pre-consultation meeting:
- Presentation of your valid Ontario Marriage License (issued within 90 days of the ceremony date)
- Presentation of original, valid photo identification for both partners
- Payment of the civil ceremony fee
- Tour of the Council Chambers ceremony location will be conducted
- Vow selection will be discussed. If specific vows are to be included, please provide a written copy, subject to approval by your Officiant. Please note that a civil ceremony cannot contain any religious readings or connotations of any kind.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the ceremony to allow time for review of last minute details. Guests should be advised to arrive 15 minutes prior to the ceremony time. For larger numbers of guests, please advise 20 - 30 minutes prior to ceremony time. Your ceremony booking allows you access to the Chambers for 45 minutes. The Council chambers can accommodate a maximum of 100 guests. To maintain the dignity of the ceremony, appropriate attire should be worn for the occasion. Therefore shorts and t-shirts are not allowed.
No confetti, petals, bubbles, candles etc. are allowed in or on the grounds of the municipal centre. Decorations such as flowers and balloons are permitted in the chambers, upon review with the Officiant. Decorations must be removed within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the ceremony.
Alcohol or stimulants are not permitted in the chambers and are not to be used by the celebrants and/or their witnesses prior to, during, or following the ceremony. If the Officiant believes that alcohol or other stimulants have been used prior to the ceremony, the ceremony will not proceed.
The taking of photographs and use of cell phones by witnesses and guests will not be permitted during the ceremony. One (1) designated photographer/videographer will be permitted to record the ceremony. An opportunity will be provided for photographs before the ceremony begins, during the signing of the register and when the ceremony is completed.
Please respect the sanctity of the ceremony and turn off or silence all cell phones until the conclusion of the ceremony.
Two witnesses to each civil ceremony are required. There is no minimum age requirement, however, witnesses should be at least 16 years of age and must be able to understand and appreciate the nature of the ceremony and be able to give evidence of such, if required.
Changes to the ceremony date and/or time are allowed at no additional charge provided that the location and Officiant are available. An administration fee will be charged if the ceremony is cancelled less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled date (as per the current Fees and Charges By-law). No refund will be issued if the ceremony is cancelled on the day of the ceremony, or if the applicant(s) do not show up for the ceremony.
Interpreters Required?
The civil marriage ceremony will be conducted in English. If either partner does not understand and speak English, you must provide your own certified interpreter and he/she must provide identification and complete an Oath of Interpreter form at the ceremony. The interpreter may not be one of the witnesses.
Accessibility
The Municipal Offices, including the Council Chambers, are wheelchair accessible. Accessible parking is available at the main entrance.