You need to be at least 16 years old to get married in Ontario.
Under 18 years old: you will need written consent from both your parents. You can get consent forms where you get a marriage license.
GET YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE:
You require a Marriage License to become legally married. It lists the date and place of the marriage, and names of the people who were married. You can pick the license up from any City Hall in Ontario within 90 days of the ceremony. A marriage license is only valid for three months from the date it was issued. Bring the license to Reverend Sandra Dion at the Rehearsal or on the day of the ceremony and she will have you, your spouse, and 2 witnesses complete the paperwork before she registers it with the Government.
HOW TO GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE:
You will need 2 pieces of government-issued identification for each person getting married. One piece of identification must include your photo. Examples of government-issued identification (Please check the municipality’s website, as they may vary and some offer the option of submitting your application for the license online, but you still have to go to the office to pick it up):
NOTE: Healthcare Card and SIN Card do not qualify. Also, make sure that you REVIEW the LICENSE for everything to be correct before you leave the City Hall.
Save time and Download the Marriage License Application form (HERE) before you go to City Hall. Only one applicant needs to go if you have your partner's original pieces of ID and signatures on the form.
NOTE: The application requests the date and location of the wedding, if you are unsure, that's OK! This information is collected to ensure that the wedding is taking place within 90 days of getting the LICENSE, and that it is happening within Ontario.
The exact time that your license will be processed and you will receive your certificate is up to the Registrar General's assessment of your request once it is received. You can check on the status of it after you’ve applied by calling the Service Ontario Office at the Registrar General (416-325-8305) or checking the status online.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE:
Before you can get a marriage certificate, your marriage needs to be registered. Reverend Sandra Dion will send your completed and signed marriage license within 48 hours after your wedding to ServiceOntario so the marriage can be registered. You can order a marriage certificate about 6-8 weeks after this happens.
If you are unsure if you need a marriage certificate or certified copy of marriage registration, please check with the Ministry, government agency, or person requesting the document before you order.
Your certificate will not be available until they have received and processed your marriage license, so don't panic if it reports that it doesn't exist. https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-get-copy-ontario-marriage-certificate-online
When ordering, the $15 short form looks like an actual certificate, whereas the $22 long form is a photocopy of your license (typically used for immigration and other legal needs).
However, if you need your marriage certificate quickly, these steps may help expedite the processing of the certificate:
1. Write a letter requesting the Registrar General expedite the processing of the certificate.
2. Prepare copies of any documents which support your urgency: (passports, visas, airline tickets, wedding invitations, employment letters).
3. FAX letter and documents to the Registrar General (Numbers below are based on urgency)
CHANGING YOUR SURNAME:
Couples don’t have to legally change a last name (surname). But if they choose, they can understand how to do so through ServiceOntario and determine the differences between assuming a married name and legally changing a name after marriage.
If you wish to change your last name after marriage in Ontario, decide which of the two options for changing your last name work best for you. You can assume a new name, or you can opt for changing your name legally on your birth certificate.
For more details contact ServiceOntario by calling Toll-free: 1-800-461-2156 for all of North America (areas outside of Toronto), 416-325-8305 for the Greater Toronto Area or internationally; TTY: 416-325-3408; or sending a written request to: ServiceOntario Office of the Registrar General P.O. Box 3000 189 Red River Rd Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5WO
Under 18 years old: you will need written consent from both your parents. You can get consent forms where you get a marriage license.
GET YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE:
You require a Marriage License to become legally married. It lists the date and place of the marriage, and names of the people who were married. You can pick the license up from any City Hall in Ontario within 90 days of the ceremony. A marriage license is only valid for three months from the date it was issued. Bring the license to Reverend Sandra Dion at the Rehearsal or on the day of the ceremony and she will have you, your spouse, and 2 witnesses complete the paperwork before she registers it with the Government.
HOW TO GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE:
You will need 2 pieces of government-issued identification for each person getting married. One piece of identification must include your photo. Examples of government-issued identification (Please check the municipality’s website, as they may vary and some offer the option of submitting your application for the license online, but you still have to go to the office to pick it up):
- government-issued birth certificate, including any change of name certificates
- valid passport
- record of immigrant landing
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- valid driver’s license
- valid Ontario Photo Card
- certificate of Divorce
NOTE: Healthcare Card and SIN Card do not qualify. Also, make sure that you REVIEW the LICENSE for everything to be correct before you leave the City Hall.
Save time and Download the Marriage License Application form (HERE) before you go to City Hall. Only one applicant needs to go if you have your partner's original pieces of ID and signatures on the form.
NOTE: The application requests the date and location of the wedding, if you are unsure, that's OK! This information is collected to ensure that the wedding is taking place within 90 days of getting the LICENSE, and that it is happening within Ontario.
The exact time that your license will be processed and you will receive your certificate is up to the Registrar General's assessment of your request once it is received. You can check on the status of it after you’ve applied by calling the Service Ontario Office at the Registrar General (416-325-8305) or checking the status online.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE:
Before you can get a marriage certificate, your marriage needs to be registered. Reverend Sandra Dion will send your completed and signed marriage license within 48 hours after your wedding to ServiceOntario so the marriage can be registered. You can order a marriage certificate about 6-8 weeks after this happens.
If you are unsure if you need a marriage certificate or certified copy of marriage registration, please check with the Ministry, government agency, or person requesting the document before you order.
Your certificate will not be available until they have received and processed your marriage license, so don't panic if it reports that it doesn't exist. https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-get-copy-ontario-marriage-certificate-online
When ordering, the $15 short form looks like an actual certificate, whereas the $22 long form is a photocopy of your license (typically used for immigration and other legal needs).
However, if you need your marriage certificate quickly, these steps may help expedite the processing of the certificate:
1. Write a letter requesting the Registrar General expedite the processing of the certificate.
2. Prepare copies of any documents which support your urgency: (passports, visas, airline tickets, wedding invitations, employment letters).
3. FAX letter and documents to the Registrar General (Numbers below are based on urgency)
- Urgent Fax # 807-343-7459 e.g. Request to expedite the certificate quickly
- Marriage Office Department # 807-343-7284 e.g. The actual Registrar's Office, but the faxes received here are not treated with urgency.
CHANGING YOUR SURNAME:
Couples don’t have to legally change a last name (surname). But if they choose, they can understand how to do so through ServiceOntario and determine the differences between assuming a married name and legally changing a name after marriage.
If you wish to change your last name after marriage in Ontario, decide which of the two options for changing your last name work best for you. You can assume a new name, or you can opt for changing your name legally on your birth certificate.
For more details contact ServiceOntario by calling Toll-free: 1-800-461-2156 for all of North America (areas outside of Toronto), 416-325-8305 for the Greater Toronto Area or internationally; TTY: 416-325-3408; or sending a written request to: ServiceOntario Office of the Registrar General P.O. Box 3000 189 Red River Rd Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5WO