Getting married in Ontario when you don't live here: licence, ID and certificate

Can you get married in Ontario if you don't live here?

Yes. You don't need to live in Ontario, or in Canada, to marry here. The City of Toronto states that there are no gender, residency, citizenship or medical requirements to apply for a marriage licence, and the City of London welcomes couples whether they live in Ontario permanently or temporarily.

The rules are the same as for everyone: you must be at least 18 (16 or 17 with consent), not already married, and able to consent freely. You need a marriage licence, an authorized officiant and 2 witnesses.

Where do you get the licence, and where can you use it?

Apply at a municipal office in Ontario. The licence can be used anywhere in Ontario, but only in Ontario, so you can apply in the city where you land and marry by a lake two hours away.

It is valid for 3 months from the day it is issued, so apply within the 3 months before your wedding. The provincial fee is $75, and most municipalities add their own fee: our guide compares marriage licence fees by city.

Many offices work by appointment. If you travel for the wedding, book your appointment early, and leave a few days between the appointment and the ceremony in case a document is missing. Our marriage licence planner gives you the exact dates for your wedding day.

What ID do you need?

Each of you brings original, valid government ID. The exact list depends on the office:

• the City of London asks for two pieces of original, valid government-issued ID each, at least one with a photo;
• the City of Toronto also asks for two pieces of government ID each, accepts passports, and asks for a certified translation of documents that aren't in English.

Photocopies, scans and expired ID are not accepted. Check the page of the office you will use before you travel.

Do you both have to go to the office?

Not always. In Toronto, only one of you must attend the appointment, but you both sign the application. In London, one of you can go if you uploaded good copies of your documents beforehand; otherwise you both attend.

What if one of you was divorced outside Canada?

Then you send your application to ServiceOntario, which reviews the divorce first. Send:

• the completed and signed marriage licence application;
• a Statement of Sole Responsibility for each divorce, signed by both of you and a witness;
• a legal opinion letter from an Ontario lawyer explaining why the divorce should be recognized in Ontario;
• a copy of the divorce decree, in English or French, or with a translation and an affidavit from a certified translator.

The review can take up to 4 weeks, so start early.

Who can marry you?

An officiant registered under Ontario's Marriage Act, or a civil officiant such as a municipal clerk, a judge or a justice of the peace. Your 2 witnesses must be physically present at the ceremony, and everyone signs the licence right after it.

With Celebrance, you can book a registered officiant online from anywhere, at an all-in price, and prepare the ceremony together online before you arrive. See our wedding officiants in Ontario.

After the wedding: your certificate abroad

Your officiant sends the signed licence for registration. Once the marriage is registered, order your marriage certificate through ServiceOntario, about 10 to 12 weeks after the wedding.

To use it outside Canada, Ontario's Official Documents Services can authenticate it: about 30 minutes in person, or within 15 business days by mail, for $32 for an Ontario government document. Only paper documents are authenticated. Ask the authorities of the country where you will use it which steps they require.

Sources: ontario.ca: getting married · toronto.ca: applying for a marriage licence · london.ca: marriage oaths · ontario.ca: authenticate document use outside canada