Who can perform wedding ceremonies in the Province of Ontario: civil or religious representatives. Everyone credentialled by Clergy Support Memorial Church (CSMC) is a religious official (Clergy).

Religious Marriage

A religious marriage is performed by a religious official (Clergy) of a recognized religious organization like CSMC who has received authorization from the Office of the Registrar General to perform marriages in Ontario under the Marriage Act. The marriage can be solemnized under the authority of a marriage license depending on the religious body.

Civil Marriage

An Ontario judge, a justice of the peace, or, a municipal clerk may perform a marriage under the authority of a marriage license. Each municipality will set its own fees and now has the option to offer civil marriage services. Contact your municipal office for more information.

There are three groups who can officiate a legal wedding ceremony in Ontario. Judge or Justice of the peace, City Clerk and Clergy… period! These are not our rules, they are the rules of the Province of Ontario. Most people who wish to perform weddings are not interested in becoming a judge or city clerk.

The other option is clergy. In order to qualify as clergy a person must connect, get ordained or Appointed and take all necessary training with a government recognized religious denomination like CSMC.

Every denomination had to fulfill the requirements of the marriage office memorandum to qualify as a recognized religious body. They were required to submit bylaws, rules and numerous written statements to the Registrar General in order to qualify for denominational status. Every denomination like CSMC is obligated to abide by their bylaws or risk losing status.

CSMC is committed to proper training, legitimate certification and investing in the lives of people who have passion and giftedness for performing Marriages in the Province of Ontario.

Please know that this means abiding by all government and denominational standards. We cannot bend the rules and we certainly will not break the rules to see people licensed. If you are willing to take all the steps necessary, according to the standards of CSMC and the Province of Ontario and commit to ongoing accountability and training then you can be considered as a candidate to become a Clergy in Clergy Support Memorial Church.

Assignment

Click Here to Read the Marriage Act:  https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90m03