Getting married in Ontario
A simple guide to your marriage licence
Getting the legal side right is part of my job, so here’s a plain-language guide to help you feel confident. I’m always happy to walk you through it personally too.
STEP 1Where to get your licence
You can apply in person at most Ontario city or town halls. Many municipalities also let you start your application online through ServiceOntario. It takes about 25 to 30 minutes, and then one of you picks the licence up in person and pays the fee. Fees vary by municipality, so check with your local city hall.
STEP 2What to bring
Each of you needs two pieces of government-issued ID, one with a photo, such as a passport, birth certificate, driver’s licence or Ontario Photo Card. Health cards can’t be used for the online application.
STEP 3If you’ve been married before
- Divorced: bring official proof, such as a certificate of divorce or final decree. If your divorce happened outside Canada, there’s an extra approval step through ServiceOntario that can take up to 4 weeks, so start early.
- Widowed: bring proof of your late spouse’s passing, usually a death certificate or a funeral director’s certificate. Some city halls prefer an original or certified copy, so it’s worth calling ahead.
STEP 4Timing matters
Your licence is valid for 3 months from the date it’s issued. Apply within 3 months of your wedding, but not too close to it. If it’s ready by our planning meeting, simply bring it along. Otherwise, please get it to me at least 7 days before your ceremony.
STEP 5Witnesses
You’ll need two witnesses, each 18 or older, to sign the licence with us right after the ceremony.
STEP 6After the “I do”
Right after the ceremony, you, your witnesses and I sign the licence. I send it to the Office of the Registrar General by tracked courier. Once your marriage is registered, you can order your official marriage certificate from ServiceOntario, which you’ll need for name changes and most legal paperwork.
Official resources
This guide is for general information. Requirements can change, so please confirm details with ServiceOntario or your local city hall.