Ontario marriage licence planner

In Ontario, a marriage licence 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, plus any municipal fee. You will need 2 pieces of ID each, 2 witnesses at the ceremony and an authorized officiant.

How do you get a marriage licence in Ontario?

1. 1Choose your date and book your officiant. Only an authorized officiant can perform a marriage: a registered officiant of a religious body or Indigenous organization, or a civil officiant such as a municipal clerk, a judge or a justice of the peace.
2. 2Apply within the 3 months before your wedding, at your municipal office, or online through ServiceOntario where your municipality offers it.
3. 3Bring the signed application and 2 pieces of original ID each. If you were divorced or widowed, bring the documents listed below.
4. 4Pay the $75 provincial fee, plus any municipal fee.
5. 5Get married in front of 2 witnesses. Everyone signs the licence right after the ceremony.
6. 6Your officiant sends the licence to the Province for registration. About 10 to 12 weeks after the wedding, order your marriage certificate through ServiceOntario.

What documents do you need?

• The completed and signed marriage licence application.
• 2 pieces of original ID for each of you. Check the list accepted by your municipal office.
• Divorced in Canada: the official divorce decree, judgment or certificate.
• Divorced outside Canada: a Statement of Sole Responsibility, a legal opinion letter from an Ontario lawyer, and the divorce decree, translated by a certified translator if needed.
• Widowed: the death certificate, a funeral director's statement or a court order.
• If one of you is 16 or 17: written consent from parents or legal guardians, or a court order.

Frequently asked questions