Licences and permits

On this page

Getting a marriage licence

A marriage licence is required to get married in Ontario.

  • The licence is valid for 90 days from the issued date.
  • The licence is valid for use anywhere in the province of Ontario.

Informal, spiritual, or symbolic marriage ceremonies

The Marriage Act contains subsection 31, “Marriages solemnized in Good Faith”. This means that a marriage licence, which is required to get married in Ontario (or the publications of banns from a church), cannot be issued if a previous ceremony has already taken place.

Examples of a previous ceremony include:

  • An informal ceremony
  • A spiritual ceremony
  • A symbolic ceremony such as a destination wedding or a ceremony performed by an officiant that is not registered.

Note: This is not applicable to previous marriages that have ended through divorce, annulment or death.

The above-mentioned ceremonies often include elements of a legal marriage ceremony. If a couple has had an informal, spiritual or symbolic ceremony that included elements of a legal ceremony, the couple is no longer eligible for a marriage licence.

Couples who have had an informal, spiritual or symbolic marriage ceremony may contact Service Ontario at 1-800-461-2156 for more information on how to legalize their marriage.

Cat and dog registration

The City of Ottawa requires that cat and dog owners register their pets. This ensures the City has the necessary information to help reunite you with your pet if it becomes lost.  Pet registrations must be renewed on an annual basis. Note:  Fees in arrear are now added to each pet file if applicable and will show on pet registration renewal notices and online on MyServiceOttawa.

As of June 20, 2011, all pet registration fees are non-refundable. 

You will receive a numbered metal tag which must be worn on your pet’s collar/harness, particularly when outside of your home. By-law & Regulatory Services will no longer be mailing renewal stickers to affix to your pet’s tag. By-law Officers are equipped with computers in the field, replacing the need to verify registration by way of a sticker on the registration tag

You can register your pet or renew your existing registration:

Online

You can now manage your pet registrations and access expanded service options online through My ServiceOttawa, including:

  • Create new pet registrations
  • Renew existing pet registrations
  • Update and change information to existing pet registrations (e.g., new mailing address, phone number, etc.)
  • Request  replacement identification tags
  • Pay fees directly through ottawa.ca (MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Visa Debit.)

In person

The following locations are open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

  • Laurier Client Service Centre, 110 Laurier Avenue West
  • Nepean Client Service Centre, 101 Centrepointe Drive
  • Orleans Client Service Centre, 255 Centrum Boulevard 

The following rural locations are open one day a week, from 8:30 am to 4 pm.

  • Metcalfe Client Service Centre, 8243 Victoria Street (open Tuesday)
  • West Carleton Client Service Centre, 5670 Carp Road (open Wednesday)
  • North Gower Client Service Centre, 2155 Roger Stevens Drive (open Thursday)