Getting Married in Ontario

Elope to Ontario

Whether it's a quick last minute decision to elope, or you've been planning for over a year - one detail that can slip the minds of excited couples is obtaining their MARRIAGE LICENCE.

This document + choosing an authorized official to marry you are two of the most significant details to make everything legal in the province of Ontario.

Stick with us, we've got you covered! Read below and find out the simple steps you need to take before you say "I do".

The In’s & Out’s of Applying for a Marriage Licence in Ontario:

It’s an easy process AND you get the licence the day you apply (as long as you show up with all the necessary documentation).

  1. Download, fill in, and print the Marriage Licence Application Form. You can find this on The Government of Ontario Website.

  2. Head to your closest municipal office with your filled out & signed application form + two pieces of ID each.

  3. Pay a fee.

Some stipulations surrounding the acceptable forms of identification:

  • Photocopies/scanned images are not accepted

  • They must provide your legal name and date of birth

  • First and last names must match on the 2 pieces you are presenting

  • One must include your photo

  • ID can be from any country, as long as it is government issued

Acceptable, and most commonly government issued identification include:

  • valid passport

  • government-issued birth certificate, including any change of name certificates

  • record of immigrant landing

  • Canadian Citizenship Card

  • valid driver’s licence

  • valid Ontario Photo Card

Helpful Hints about Applying for a Marriage Licence...

  • A marriage licence is only valid for 90 days from the date it was issued. So mark you calendar and be sure to not get it too early! (see * below)

  • Sometimes appointments are required - we recommend checking in advance, so that you’re not disappointed and turned away. This is almost always the case in the current pandemic, with some municipalities only taking appointments within two weeks of your intended wedding date.

  • You don’t have to obtain your marriage licence in the town/city you intend on marrying in.

  • It's worth checking around regarding fees as well! They vary between municipalities, and for an extra few km's, you might be able to save some moola.

  • Sometimes you can submit online, however; you will still have to take the completed application into the city clerk’s office with supporting documentation (Government issued ID, divorce documentation, etc.). 

  • You can usually apply without your partner if everything has been signed and you bring the valid identification required for each person - however; to save any sort of potential hassle, why not make it a pre-marital date and go out for a nice meal afterwards!

  • If you cannot read or understand English, you must bring your own interpreter, with their own identification.

*If you obtained a marriage licence since the pandemic, the Government has extended the expiry dates to most marriage licences. Licences are still valid for the timeframes below, unless you require a replacement licence.

ISSUED: December 1, 2019 to July 24, 2020 — VALID UNTIL: July 24, 2022

ISSUED: October 1, 2020 to February 10, 2021 — VALID UNTIL: February 10, 2023

If you need a replacement licence, you have until the extended expiry date to apply for a replacement from a municipality that issues marriage licences.

Who can get Married in Ontario?

Everyone is welcome to get married in Ontario (yay! for #equalrights) - They-Them, She-Her, He-Him - whether you live here permanently or temporarily. You must be over the age of 16 years old (if you are under 18 you need consent from your parents / legal guardians).

Remarrying after a Divorce?

We work with a lot of couples who are celebrating an “encore marriage”, when it’s love - it’s love. It’s all the same to us!

You will need to bring official proof of the divorce with you when you apply for a marriage licence. This can be the original or a court-certified copy. ONE of the following three documents will work:

  • the final decree

  • the final judgment

  • a certificate of divorce

If you were divorced outside of Canada, you will need to provide certain documents to prove that you are no longer married. This process can take up to 4+ weeks, while government validate these documents.

You will need to send the following documents to ServiceOntario:

  • marriage licence application form: completed and signed

  • statement of sole responsibility: for each divorce (signed by both people who are planning to get married and a witness)

  • legal opinion letter: from an Ontario lawyer, addressed to both people who plan to get married, giving reasons why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in Ontario

  • divorce decree or annulment: an original or court-certified copy in English or French. If the decree is in another language, you will need to include a translated copy and an affidavit sworn by a certified translator.

Any questions? Feel free to comment or ask below!

That's all from us today!

xxoo

P&P

Images: Turnbull Photography

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