Apply for a Marriage Licence At City Hall

What You Need to Know

A marriage licence is required to get married in Ontario (or the publication of banns from a church) No appointment is required when applying for a marriage licence If you have the required identification and applicable documents it will take approximately 20-30 minutes to process your application and issue the licence The licence can be used anywhere in the province of Ontario Once issued a marriage licence is valid for 90 days The licence is valid for use in Ontario only



How to Apply for a Marriage Licence

1. Review the identification requirements. 2. Review guidelines on re-marrying after a divorce, if applicable. 3. Complete a marriage licence application. For faster service, apply online. If you are unable to submit your application online or prefer to use a paper version, you can print the form. Download Application 4. Visit a City Clerk’s office with the following: completed application with original signatures and dated 2 pieces of original and valid government issued ID for each person applying from the list of acceptable ID (see Identification Requirements) divorce documentation, if applicable You can apply without your partner, if: both of you have signed and dated the completed application you bring the required identification for each person on the application (original ID only, we will not accept photocopies or scanned images) bring original divorce documentation, if applicable Interpreter If you cannot read or understand English, you must bring your own interpreter. The interpreter must present their own identification.



Who Can Get Married?

Anyone over the age of 16 years old can get married in Ontario. If you are under 18 years of age you will need consent from your parents or legal guardians. A parental consent form must be completed. Forms are available in our office. Your parents or legal guardians must also be present at the time you submit your marriage licence application. Everyone is welcome to apply for a marriage licence and get married in Ontario, whether you live here permanently or temporarily. There are no gender, residency, citizenship or medical requirements when applying for a marriage licence. The requirements are the same for everyone.



Identification Requirements at City Hall

Each person applying for the marriage licence must bring 2 pieces of acceptable government issued identification (ID) from the list below.

  • Identification must be valid and original (they will not accept photocopies or scanned images/documents)
  • Identification must provide your legal name and date of birth. Your first and last names must match on the two pieces of ID that are presenting.
  • To have your middle name(s) included on your marriage licence it must also appear on both pieces of ID.
  • ID on the list can be from any country, as long as it is government issued.
  • If the ID is not in English, a written translation from a certified translator is required.
  • Health cards and S.I.N. cards will not be accepted.
Acceptable identification
  • Birth Certificate
  • Passport
  • Driver’s Licence
  • Ontario Photo Card (Purple photo ID card)
  • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (Canadian Citizenship Card)
  • Canadian Government Refugee Travel Document
  • Conditional Release Identification Card
  • United States Green Card
  • Native Status Card
  • Record of Immigration Landing
  • Confirmation of Permanent Residency
  • Permanent Residency Card
  • Citizenship Card
  • Identity Card
  • Nexus Card
  • Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC)
  • Possession & Acquisition Licence (PAL)



Remarrying After Divorce

Divorced in Canada You must submit official proof of the divorce when you apply for a marriage licence. This can be the original or a court-certified copy of a:

  • Final decree
  • Certificate of divorce
A certified copy of either of the above divorce documents may be obtained from the court office that granted the divorce. A Decree Nisi, Divorce Order or Judgement is not acceptable. All documents will be returned. If you do not know where your divorce was granted you can contact the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings or 1-613-957-4519. Divorced Outside of Canada (Foreign Divorce) If you were divorced outside of Canada, you will need to provide certain documents to prove that you are no longer married. The Office of the Registrar General for the province of Ontario needs to validate these documents and provide authorization in order for you to get a marriage licence. For more information, contact the Marriage Office at 1-800-461-2156 (toll-free) or visit Service Ontario. Foreign divorce packages can also be picked up at any of our offices.



Getting Married

The person marrying you will:

  • perform the marriage ceremony
  • complete the marriage licence
  • have you and your witnesses sign the marriage licence
  • give you the Record of Solemnization of Marriage (this is not an official marriage certificate)
  • send the completed marriage licence to the province of Ontario to be registered
You can order a marriage certificate approximately 10-12 weeks from the date your marriage took place.



Obtain A Marriage Certificate

After you have had your marriage ceremony, you may need a marriage certificate. The certificate contains details of your marriage performed in Ontario and proves that a marriage has taken place. You may need a marriage certificate for a number of reasons, including changing your name.



Order Marriage Certificate

Marriage certificates are issued by the Office of the Registrar General for the province of Ontario. You can order a marriage certificate through Service Ontario. How to order a marriage certificate

  • The easiest and fastest way to order a marriage certificate is online through Service Ontario.
  • To order a marriage certificate by mail simply complete the form that was included with your marriage licence or download the form.
Request for Marriage Certificate For questions regarding marriage certificates please contact Service Ontario at 416-325-8305 or 1-800-461-2156.



Marriage & Change Of Name

After the marriage ceremony, there are three options either spouse may consider in regards to retaining, assuming, or legally changing their last name. Option 1: Continue to use their last name

  • Under this course of action, the spouse who wishes to keep their current last name needs to take no action.
  • Ontario law does not require a spouse to change their last name upon marriage.
Option 2: “Assume” the use of the spouse’s last name
  • An assumed name is a name which a person uses or adopts.
  • Upon marriage, a person may choose to “assume” the last name of their spouse and use it.
  • To have your identification revised most government organizations, credit card firms, etc. will accept a copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Office of the Registrar General as proof of the marriage.
Option 3: Legally change his/her last name
  • A legal name is the name by which the person is entitled to be recognized for the purposes of Ontario law.
  • In this instance, a person will elect the option under the Change of Name Act, complete the appropriate forms and submit them to the Office of the Registrar General
Staff at one of the Municipal offices can commission your change of name application free of charge



Extended Validity Period

As a second province-woide declaration of emergency had been made, the validity period has been extended for certain licenses issued. Please take note of the following: * Licenses issued between December 1, 2019 and July 24, 2020 are still valid and can be used until July 24, 2022 * Licenses issued between October 1, 2020 and February 10, 2021 are still valid and can be used until February 10, 2023 Note: the validity period for marriage licenses issued between July 25, 2020 and September 30, 2020 has not been extended. These licensee were only valid for three months from the date issued since tgere was no province-wide eergency during this timeframe. If, for any reason, couples did not use their license issued during this timeframe and still wish to be married, they will need to purchase another one.