Guelph-Eramosa Township to offer civil weddings
Residents wanting to tie the knot now have another option here for exchanging their vows.
Last week, Guelph-Eramosa council approved a bylaw authorizing clerk Meaghen Reid or her designate to perform civil marriages.
“There have been requests in the past for this service and the clerk’s department has interest in providing this service to the public,” Reid said in a Feb. 22 report to council.
She said department staff have received training to ensure ceremonies conform to provincial legislation, are respectful, and are delivered in a personalized manner to meet the wishes of the couple.
“[We are] prepared to implement this service to the public as of June 1,” Reid said.
A revised fee schedule, is expected to be presented in the next few months, and it will set a fee in tbe township She noted municipalities can charge $200 to $400 for the service.
Mayor Chris White said the move to offer marriage ceremonies was not initiated by a specific recent request, but was something the township had wanted to clear up for some time. Municipal clerks were first authorized to perform marriages in 2004.
Guelph-Eramosa is now the third municipality in the county offering civil marriage services, joining Minto (26 services over 2009 and 2010) and Erin (six services over the last two years).
