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.

Eligibility

  • There are no gender, residency, citizenship or medical requirements when applying for a marriage licence.
  • Anyone over the age of 16 years old can get married in Ontario. If you are 16 - 18 (less a day) years of age, parental consent is required.

What you need

Identification

Each applicant must provide two (2) original* and valid* pieces of government-issued identification.

Information listed on both pieces must compliment each other and must be in French or English. If not, an official translation is required.

*If the original documents cannot be provided, certified true copies are also accepted.

Primary ID to establish citizenship must include: (Each applicant must have at least 1 piece of primary identification)

  • Full name (including change of name certificates, if applicable)
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth

Common examples include: birth certificates, passports, Permanent Resident card, Canadian travel documents (Refugee Travel Document, Certificate of Identity and Record of Immigrant Landing), etc.

Secondary ID to establish identity (photo ID) must include:

  • Full name (including change of name certificates, if applicable)
  • Date of birth
  • Photo
  • Signature

Common examples include: Driver’s Licence, Ontario Photo card, National Identity card, Possession and Acquisition License, etc.

Identification that will Not be accepted: SIN cards, library cards, employee/student badges, etc.

Previously married applicants

You must submit official proof of divorce when you apply for a marriage licence. The divorce certificate must also be provided to the in-person appointment.

If you have been divorced in Canada

You must provide the original, or a court-certified copy, of a:

  • Final decree
  • Certificate of divorce

Digital divorce documents are accepted. A printed copy of the digital divorce documents must be presented at a Client Service Centre upon purchase of the marriage licence. 

A Decree Nisi, Divorce Order or Judgement will NOT be accepted. These documents must be in French or English. If not, an official translation is required.

A court-certified copy may be obtained from the court office that granted the divorce. If you do not know where your divorce was granted you can contact: Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings,1-613-957-4519.

If you have been divorced outside of Canada (out-of-country divorce)

You must provide a letter of authorization provided by the Office of the Registrar General. This process can take up to 4 weeks.

For more information, contact the Marriage Office at 1-800-461-2156 (toll-free) or visit Service Ontario.

Widowed applicant

No documentation is required for widowed partners.

Cost

The City of Ottawa charges a $182.00 (HST exempt) (2024) service fee for a marriage license, which you can pay for by cash, cheque, Interac or credit card. Marriage license fees are non-refundable.

Apply

To apply for a marriage licence:

Note: Only one applicant is required to be present to obtain a marriage licence. If only one applicant is present, they will be required to show 2 pieces of identification for themselves, and 2 pieces of identification for their partner.