Marriage

Many of your questions regarding weddings may only be answered by contacting the minister of the church who will conduct the wedding.

1. How do I find a United Church minister to conduct a Wedding Service?

In order to determine which United Church is closest to you, access the Find a Church service. Through this service you can search an online index for congregation or pastoral charge address and contact information.

PLEASE NOTE: A minister is not obliged to perform any wedding.

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2. Do I have to be a baptised member in order to be married in a United Church?

In general, no you do not have to be a baptised member in order to be married in the United Church. However, some ministers / congregations may marry only practising members of the faith. You must contact the minister of your local congregation in order to determine their decision on this matter.

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3. How do I obtain a marriage license?

To obtain a legal marriage license for an upcoming wedding contact the provincial Office of the Registrar General.

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4. How do I obtain a copy of a Legal Marriage Certificate for insurance, pension, or divorce proceedings?

To obtain a legal copy of a marriage certificate, contact the provincial Office of the Registrar General.

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5. How do I obain a copy of a marriage certificate for genealogical research?

Marriage records are created by local churches, and are therefore maintained by each conference/regional archives. In Ontario the Conference Archives and the National Archives are maintained together at the United Church of Canada Archives in one facility. Detailed information about the nine conference/regional archives supported by the Church can be accessed through the archives network at www.united-church.ca/local/archives.

Legal papers are sent from the local church who has conducted a wedding, to be registered by the provincial Registrar General. Churches keep their records (for a minimum of five years) or deposit them in their Conference Archives.

• To obtain a copy of the church record, first contact the local church where the marriage took place. If the church has closed, or does not have the records, then contact the Conference Archives.
• Individuals who contact our Archives with a request for information from a register will receive a certificate signed by the Chief Archivist which provides the information transcribed from the register. In most instances, where the marriage is by license not banns, there is a corresponding number to a marriage license. There is no charge for this service.

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6. What are the fees for having a service conducted in a United Church?

Fees are set by local congregations. Please contact the minister of your local church to determine their exact fees. Often fees begin at $100, depending on the services provided. For instance, in addition to the services of the minister there may be specific costs for music and janitorial services.

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7. What is the United Church's stand on Divorce?

The United Church of Canada believes that marriage is intended to be life-long. However, there will be cases where, in the spirit of Christ, it is in the best interests of all the persons involved (including the children and society) that a marriage be dissolved by divorce. The United Church of Canada further believes that those whose marriage has been dissolved by divorce, be allowed to remarry with the blessing of the church.

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8. Does the United Church of Canada do Annulments?

No. Annulments are a Roman Catholic tradition/service, and are not provided for by the United Church of Canada. Some ministers will do an 'ending' service as an acknowledgement of the ending/divorce of a marriage. To find out if your local church will provide this service, please contact them directly.

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9. How do I find a United Church minister to conduct a gay or lesbian marriage?

Same-sex marriage is available through some United Churches. We suggest you contact one of the Affirming United Churches, or you may contact the minister of your local United Church to inquire whether that congregation provides marriage services.

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10. Where do I find Resources to be used in United Church Wedding Services?

Celebrate God's Presence: Mandated by the 36th General Council, and published in 2000, this rich resource offers fresh and inspiring expressions of Christian faith. The collection reflects broad consultation with all constituencies within the United Church. Though it engages centuries of faith, theology, and liturgical practice, the resources remain open to local adaptation. The 700 pages include comprehensive resources for various services including four marriage services.

Service One is based on the work of the Consultation on Common Texts, an ecumenical consultation of 15 North American denominations. Service Two, the most traditional, is drawn from earlier United Church sources. Service Three may be of particular use in situations where families with children are being blended. Service Four may be especially useful with couples who have little familiarity with the church's traditions. This resource also includes selected Prayers and Vows for Covenant of Marriage and Life Partnership, written in French, Mohawk, Ojibwe, Cree, Cree Romanization, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese. (Product ID 800 000 187)

Together in Faith: In 1992, the 34th General Council of The United Church of Canada requested the Division of Mission in Canada to provide the church with a study resource on inclusive congregations. Together in Faith is designed to assist congregations who wish to examine what it means to become more inclusive of gays and lesbians, including the possibility of developing and providing covenanting services for same gender couples. It is an educational resource which will be of use for study, dialogue, celebration and action with Church Boards and Councils, with members of the order of ministry and other congregational staff members, and with church committees and congregational study groups. ($11.95, Product ID: 400 000 001)

The above resources are available from UCRD and participating Presbytery Resource Centres.

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For more information, contact: Information.