Getting a marriage licence

• 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.

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.

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.

To apply for a marriage licence:

• Complete the Marriage licence application request form
• If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email with further instructions. 

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.