Marriage Services

Available by Appointment ONLY

If you would like to schedule an appointment for either a marriage licence or ceremony at City Hall please fill out the form below. Someone from Legislative Services will be in contact with you to confirm the appointment date and time.

Fees

The fee for a marriage licence is $100.00.

The fee for a Civil Marriage Ceremony is $380.95 + GST (By-law No. 7284 – 2023 Fee Schedule), payable in cash (CDN Funds), Cheque, or Debit.  The fee does not include the cost of the required marriage licence ($100.00).

A $125.00 non-refundable booking fee is required to confirm the date and time of the ceremony.  The remaining balance must be paid in full seven days prior to your ceremony.

Any change of date request will be subject to availability and a $50.00 + GST administration fee.

Licence Requirements

Both individuals must be present to purchase a marriage licence, each individual is required to provide two (2) valid pieces of identification (see list below) with one (1) piece being photo identification with them to the appointment.

1. Valid photo identification (1 of the below)
   • Canada Permanent Resident Card
   • Canadian Armed Forces Identification Card
   • Government of Canada Indian Status Card
   • Passport or US Passport Card
   • Driver's Licence (photo ID)
     
     
2. Valid non-photo identification:
   • Birth Certificate
   • Canada Immigration documents
   • Citizenship Certificate (Canadian or the United States)
   • Manitoba Health Card
   • Senior Citizen Card/Old Age Security Card
   • Change of Name Certificate
   • Social Insurance Card
     
     
3. Divorced or Widowed
   • Divorced persons are required to show one of the following:
     • Divorce Certificate;
     • Decree Absolute
   • Widowed persons are required to show one of the following:
     
     • Death Certificate; or
     • Funeral Home Statement of Death; or
     • Obituary clipping from the newspaper
       
       
4. A valid Marriage Licence (purchased at least 24 hours before the marriage ((Manitoba marriage licences are only valid for ceremonies within Manitoba and for three months from the date of purchase)).

Ceremony

Ceremonies are available in English only.  The service lasts approximately 30 minutes. If an interpreter is required, the same must be provided by the individuals. The interpreter must provide identification and may not be one of the witnesses.

City Staff are trained and designated by the City Clerk and will act as officiants to solemnize the ceremony. The civil marriage service will be a non-denominational ceremony, which adheres to all legal requirements.

As the ceremony is held in a public space, the following options are not permitted at the ceremony or on City Hall grounds.

• Confetti, rice, incense, bubbles, candles, or similar.

Additional options for the marriage ceremony:

• Individuals may choose from three pre-written scripts. Scripts will be made available upon request.  Individuals may choose to personalize parts of the script.  Changes must be submitted in writing to the Legislative Services Department.
• Music may be playing before, during and immediately following the ceremony on an iPod, iPhone, or laptop.
• Flower arrangements are permitted. Any arrangements brought in are to be removed at the conclusion of the ceremony.

*Please note: receptions and post-ceremony festivities cannot be accommodated at City Hall.  You may rent the facility after business hours for an additional cost.  (See 2020 Fee Schedule for rental costs)

Ceremonies will take place outside on the grounds for summer only, in the event of inclement weather, alternative indoor arrangements will be made.

*All participants are to be present at City Hall 15 minutes prior to the scheduled ceremony time*

Witnesses

Two Witnesses: Couples must provide two witnesses (one for each partner).  Witnesses must be present at the ceremony.  Witness will not be provided.

Marriage Ineligibility

City staff will not solemnize the marriage of any person who he or she knows or has reasonable grounds to believe lacks the capacity to marry.

Circumstances rendering a person ineligible for the civil marriage include:

• One or both individuals are under physical or mental duress
• An individual(s) fail to meet the age requirements (under 18 years of age)
• The individuals are related as grandparent, parent, child, grandchild, brother or sister
• One or both individuals are currently married
• One of both individuals is 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 that result from marriage. If the person solemnizing a marriage has any doubts as to the mental capacity of the parties, or one of the parties, he/she may refuse to perform the ceremony.

For more information about marriage ceremonies, contact Legislative Services/Office of the City Clerk by calling 204.729.2296 or email cityclerk@brandon.ca

For additional information on Getting Married in Manitoba, visit Vital Statistics Getting Married/Marriage Licence Requirements.