Applications, Licences and Permits

The City of Dryden offers you the freedom to have the wedding of your dreams in the location of your choice.

Our marriage commissioner will perform your service at your home, cabin, or special venue - maybe the place that you met, or somewhere that has a history in your family.

Your wedding day is special and with a civil marriage service it can be a reflection of who you are as individuals, the interests that you share as a couple, and what is important in the life you are planning  to have together.

Step 1

Please look through the Civil Marriage Information Package.  Please call 807-223-1160 to start planning and book the date for your special celebration!  You will need to fill out a Civil Marriage Booking Agreement that's included in the information package to secure your booking.

Marriage Commissioners

Mr. Shayne MacKinnon is a former Councillor and Chief of Police, and has been a lifelong Dryden resident. He's had the honour of performing many marriage ceremonies over the years in a variety of settings for many happy couples.

Ms. Mardi-Lee Plomp is a retired teacher and former principal of 31 years.  She is an active volunteer in the community in a variety of capacities, all of which contribute and complement the necessary skills to perform civil marriage ceremonies. 

Additional marriage commissioners are the City Clerk, the Records and Legislative Coordinator and the Communications Coordinator.

 Sample Vows

Our Civil Marriage Commissioner will work with you to personalize your vows, ensuring that they express your love for each other, and the commitment that you are making to each other.

The following is a selection of suggested vows to help you start thinking about the words you want to use on your special day.

Sample Vows

Option #1 Vows
Option #2 Vows

Simple Ceremony

Please note that civil marriage services are non-denominational. 

FAQs

 1.   What documents are needed for a Civil Marriage Service?

Before meeting with the Marriage Commissioner you should have completed and paid for your Ontario Marriage License (valid for three (3) months following its date of issue).  You should have also completed the Booking Agreement Form with staff at City Hall.  

2.   Who may officiate at our wedding?

For a Civil Marriage, only the City appointed Commissioners may perform the ceremony.

3.   What would it cost to be married at my home on the lake on Saturday?

*   Plus Commissioner incurred expenses, if applicable.

4.   Does the City offer "same day service" for a Ceremony?

We will attempt to accommodate the couple, based on the availability of a Marriage Commissioner and location, i.e. availability of Council Chambers or alternate site.

5.   Where can we hold our wedding?  

Our Marriage Commissioners will perform a ceremony at any location within the City of Dryden municipal boundaries and the surrounding area. Ceremonies may also be held at City Hall in the Council Chambers, based on availability.

6.   Do we have to purchase our Ontario License in Dryden to be married in Dryden?

No.  You may purchase an Ontario License anywhere in the Province of Ontario to be married anywhere in the Province of Ontario.

7.   Are witnesses required for a Civil Marriage Ceremony?

Yes, all couples must have two (2) witnesses present during the ceremony, preferably over age 16.

8.   May we include readings from the Bible or have a Blessing at our ceremony?

While the Marriage Commissioner may not perform any type of religious ceremony in keeping with the spirit of the Ontario Marriage Act which requires civil ceremonies to be "non-denominational", couples may wish to have someone other than the Commissioner provide a reading or a blessing.

9.   Will the Marriage Commissioner marry Same-sex Partners? 

Of course! There is a constitutional requirement in Ontario to issue marriage licenses to, and solemnize civil marriages of same-sex couples.

10.  Who registers our Civil Marriage?

The Marriage Commissioner will ensure all documentation is delivered to City Hall following the ceremony.  The documents will  then be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay where your marriage will be registered. 

The City of Dryden Building and Planning Department issues building permits. The department is also in charge of inspections related to building permit requirements.

Contact the Building and Planning department at 807-223-1140 to apply for permits or to arrange inspections.

Have a building related question? Email: Pam Skillen, Chief Building Official, for help.

Dryden Fire Service issues and enforces burn permits for the City of Dryden.

Most businesses require a City of Dryden Business Licence to operate. View the Business and Trade Licensing By-law to determine if your business requires a licence.

Still need help? For more information, contact the Community Development department at 807-223-2225 ext. 159 or complete and submit the Business Licensing Application Form.

You must register your dog(s) with the City of Dryden each year. Whether registering your dog(s) for the first time or renewing your registration, your application must be completed before January 31.

To register your dog, apply for a license.

Learn more about our Animal Services.

Interested in having a Bavarian Garden on or in any City-owned facility or property?

Apply online: 

Complete the Bavarian Gardens/Liquor Permit Application form.

Your application will be shared with relevant departments for their review and approval. Please be advised that all rules and regulations under the Liquor Control Board (LCBO) and the Municipal Alcohol Policy must also be met. A copy of the Municipal Alcohol Policy will be enclosed with your permit approval.  Please submit your application at least 15 days ahead of the event.

For more information, please contact our Records and Legislative Coordinator by email or by calling 807-223-1160.

Did you know it is illegal to conduct a lottery without a licence in Ontario? The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) administers the licensing program for lotteries in the province. Municipalities partner with the AGCO in issuing lottery licences to eligible charitable and religious organizations.

View the AGCO's  Charitable Gaming Section for more information.

Why do I need a lottery licence?

The Criminal Code of Canada allows charitable and religious organizations to arrange different types of lotteries, if properly licensed. Lotteries include:

• Bingos
• Raffles
• Break open tickets
• Bazaars
• Social gaming events

Licensed charitable or religious organizations must conduct and manage their events in accordance with licensing policies and the terms and conditions of the licences. They must also meet all reporting requirements. Proceeds raised through lotteries are used for charitable objectives if there is a direct benefit to the residents of Ontario.

Does my organization qualify to apply for a lottery licence?

Organizations that qualify to hold a lottery event must meet the following criteria:

• Must offer public benefit to the residents of Ontario
• Must be in existence and have a history of providing services for at least one year
• Lottery proceeds must not be used as start-up funds for any organization
• Must be legally, organizationally and financially separate from other organizations
• Must be monitored
• Must fit into a charitable category (e.g., Relief of Poverty, Advancement of Religion, Advancement of Education, Charitable Purposes Beneficial to the Community)

For more information, please contact our Licensing Coordinator by email or by calling 807-223-1160.

Learn more about setting up a Mobile Food Premises in Dryden.

The City of Dryden provides as much information as possible to the public without requiring a formal request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Persons wishing to access records held by the City of Dryden should first contact the department which holds the records. If information is not available informally, a written request can be filed in accordance with the MFIPPA.

Please note that you must submit the required $5 application fee with your information requests. This fee is non-refundable. If paying by cheque, please make your cheque payable to the City of Dryden.

Other fees may apply to your information request, as outlined in the MFIPPA.

How do I formally request information?

There are two ways to make a request under the MFIPPA:

1. Complete the Freedom of Information (FOI) Application Form and pay the fee online. 
2. You can also pick up a copy of the application form in person from the Administration Office at City Hall (30 Van Horne Avenue) and return with payment.
3. Write a formal letter to request information and include the following details:
   1. full mailing address;
   2. day time telephone number; and
   3. names of specific files or types of records you are requesting access to, including dates of those records, if possible.

The more information you provide about the records you're looking for, the easier and faster our staff can search for these records, which also reduces costs associated with research.

Contact our Freedom of Information Coordinator at the City Clerk's Office for more information:

Address: 30 Van Horne Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2A7 Email: Allyson Euler, City Clerk Phone: 807-223-1432

How do I appeal a declined information request?

If you are not satisfied with the decision given by our Freedom of Information Coordinator under the MFIPPA, you can appeal the decision with the Privacy Commissioner's Office within 30 days of receiving the decision letter.

The appeal fee is $10 for personal information requests and $25 for all other requests. The appeal fee must be sent to:

• Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario 80 Bloor Street West, Suite 1700 Toronto, ON M5S 2V1

416-326-3333 or 1-800-387-0073

Please note access for information requests pertaining to the former Dryden Police Service and/or to the Ontario Provincial Police MUST BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO THE ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE.