Weddings at City Hall

For information on the requirements for getting married in Newfoundland and Labrador please visit the provincial website: Getting Married - Digital Government and Service NL

Requirements for a City Hall Ceremony

Appointment

To be married at City Hall you must complete this form to request your date. Appointment times must be arranged at least 14 days in advance. 

• Please ensure you can have your preferred appointment time before getting a Marriage License.
• Please note that your requested date is not confirmed until you are contacted by the Mayor's Office with a confirmation email.

Weddings are typically scheduled for Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., (excluding statutory holidays). For times outside of this, please make note of your requested time on the appointment form. Timeslots are 30 minutes in length (10 minutes prior to the ceremony time and 15 minutes after to allow for photos). The area is a scent free environment, and a maximum of 20 people may attend. 

Documentation

Each party getting married must bring photo identification to be reviewed by the Mayor prior to the start of the ceremony, along with a valid marriage license. (Marriage licenses must be obtained at least 4 days before the ceremony and are only valid for 30 days).

Witnesses

Couples must provide two witnesses (one for each partner) who must be present at the ceremony. The City of St. John's does not provide witnesses.

Ineligibility

The Mayor will not solemnize the marriage of any person they know or have reasonable grounds to believe lacks capacity to marry. Circumstances rendering a person ineligible for the civil marriage include:

• Either party is under the age of 19 (unless special circumstances, with consent)
• One or both parties are under physical or mental duress
• 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 that result from marriage. If the Mayor has any doubts as to the mental capacity of the parties, or one of the parties, he may refuse to perform the ceremony.

Other Important Things You Need to Know About Weddings at City Hall

Locations

The couple may select one of the following locations for a civil marriage ceremony at City Hall:

• Mayor's Lounge (4th Floor, City Hall)
• Council Chambers (4th Floor, City Hall)
• Outside on City Hall Courtyard (weather depending)
• Locations external to City Hall or City owned facilities will be at the Mayor's discretion and subject to an additional fee of $100.  

Please note that not all locations may be available at the requested date and time. Availability may also change without notice.

Fees

The fee for a Civil Marriage Ceremony taking place at City Hall during working hours (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday) is $230.00 taxes included, payable in cash (Canadian Funds only), debit or by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) at Access St. John's, 1 Floor City Hall. This fee must be paid in full four days prior to the scheduled ceremony and is non-refundable. For ceremonies taking place outside of working hours or off City Hall Premises, the fee is $345 taxes included. The additional cost is to offset travel expenses of the officiant.

The fee does not include the cost of a marriage license, which must be purchased separately at least four days in advance, but not greater than 30 days of the ceremony. Call Vital Statistics at 709-729-0305 for more information on applying for a marriage license; or visit Vital Statistics in person at 149 Smallwood Drive, Mount Pearl NL. The provincial website also provides a list of marriage license issuers to contact as an alternative to visiting Vital Statistics.

Ceremony

The Mayor performs all marriage ceremonies at City Hall. Weddings are performed in English only, are non-denominational in nature and adhere to all legal requirements.

Ceremonies last approximately 5 to10 minutes depending on any additions the couple chooses to add to the program. The booking includes use of the selected space for up to 30 minutes.

Applicants may choose to personalize certain parts of the ceremony but cannot remove anything. All requested customizations must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Mayor prior to the ceremony.

Personalized music is permitted and may be played off an iPod, iPhone, or laptop.

A photographer is permitted. Photographs and video are the responsibility and judgement of the couple.

Small flower arrangements are permitted but must be removed by the couple at the conclusion of the ceremony.

As the ceremony is held in a public space, the following items are not permitted at the ceremony or at the venue:

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

Please note that receptions and post-ceremony festivities cannot be accommodated at City Hall.

Interpreters

The ceremony will be conducted in English. If you do not understand or read English, you must provide your own interpreter and they must provide identification. The interpreter may not be one of the witnesses.

Want to know more?

For more information about marriage ceremonies, please contact the Office of the Mayor by email or call 709-576-8477.