Of all the things on your planning list, the legal side is usually the one couples dread most. Here is the good news: the marriage licence Ontario couples need is far simpler than it sounds. One document, one trip to a municipal office, a couple of pieces of ID, and you are done.
My mom Debi and I have watched a lot of weddings come together, and the paperwork is almost never the part that goes wrong. The part that trips people up is timing, because the licence has a shelf life and a lot of couples apply either too early or too late.
So here is how it works, in plain words, start to finish.
Marriage licence Ontario basics: what it is and how long it lasts
Before you get married, you need a valid Ontario marriage licence issued by an authorized municipal office, and it is valid for 3 months from the date it was issued.
That three month window really matters. Apply too early and your licence expires before your wedding day. Pop a reminder in your phone for the right moment and you will be fine.
One more thing to know now so it is not a surprise later: you and your spouse, your witnesses and the person who performed the marriage all need to sign the licence immediately after the ceremony.
Ontario marriage licence requirements: who can apply
To be eligible to marry in Ontario, you need to be at least 18 years of age, or, if you are 16 or 17, have written consent from your parents or legal guardians or a court order, unless you are widowed or divorced. You also need to not already be married, or to have had a previous marriage dissolved or annulled, and to be able to freely and willingly consent.
If either of you is under 18, both applicants must be 16 or older on the date the licence is issued. In that case you download and complete the Consent of Parents or Guardians to Marriage form, and then either:
- ✦have all parents or legal guardians swear or affirm it before a commissioner for taking affidavits and submit it with your application or at pickup, or
- ✦bring all parents or guardians with you when you pick up the licence so the form can be sworn in person.
How to get a marriage licence in Ontario: where you apply
There are two routes. You can complete a marriage licence application online through the ServiceOntario application, or online or on paper through your municipality.
The online route only works with participating municipalities, so check the list first. If your municipality is not listed, contact your local municipal office to submit your application. It is worth checking your municipality's website anyway, since they may have their own online or in-person process.
Either way, the licence is not mailed to you. One of you has to come in person to the municipality with your photo ID to pick it up, and pay the fee at that point.
What to bring with you
You need two pieces of government-issued identification per person, one of them with a photo, plus supporting documents if they apply to you, such as a consent form for an applicant under 18, proof of divorce if you are remarrying, or proof of eligibility for a reduced fee.
Accepted documents include a birth certificate, a passport, a driver's licence, an Ontario Photo Card, a Canadian Citizenship Card or Certificate, a Canadian Permanent Resident Card, and a Secure Certificate of Indian Status, among others.
Documents that are not in English or French must be translated by a professional translator and include a written declaration from the translator.
What it costs
The marriage licence fee varies depending on the municipality, so call or check their site before you go.
The province notes a $75 provincial marriage licence fee that may be waived if both of you are registered or entitled to be registered under Canada's Indian Act and reside in Ontario on reserve or Crown lands, though municipal administrative fees may still apply. To claim it, one of you completes the Affidavit to Waive Provincial Fee for a Marriage Licence form and submits it to your municipality online or in person at pickup.
Timing, and a few things people miss
Before you start the online application, make sure:
- ✦your wedding date is within 3 months of the day you apply
- ✦you have identified a participating municipality
- ✦there is at least 1 business day between your application and your wedding date
The online application takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes. If you need a licence in the next 24 hours, contact your local municipality directly.
And if you were divorced outside Canada, build in extra time. That process needs a completed application form, a Statement of Sole Responsibility for each divorce, and a legal opinion letter from an Ontario lawyer explaining why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in Ontario, plus a copy of the divorce decree or annulment. The province says these documents may take up to 4 weeks to process.
Who can actually marry you
For your marriage to be valid, it has to be performed by an authorized marriage officiant under Ontario's Marriage Act.
In some limited and specific circumstances, the publication of banns may be used instead of a licence. Ask your officiant about that when you first chat, because they will know exactly how it works for your ceremony.
After the wedding
Your marriage has to be registered before you can get a marriage certificate. The officiant sends your completed and signed licence to ServiceOntario so the marriage can be registered, and your certificate application may take up to 8 weeks after registration to be processed.
One thing worth knowing: a record of solemnization of marriage is not the same as a marriage certificate. If you are planning a name change or a honeymoon that needs documents, give yourself plenty of room.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a marriage licence in Ontario valid?
It is valid for 3 months from the date it was issued. Count backwards from your wedding date so you are not applying too early.
How much does a marriage licence cost in Ontario?
The fee varies by municipality, so check with yours before you go. The province notes a $75 provincial marriage licence fee that may be waived in certain circumstances, though municipal administrative fees may still apply.
Can we apply online for a marriage licence in Ontario?
Yes, through the ServiceOntario application or through your municipality, but the online route only works with participating municipalities. Either way, one of you still has to pick the licence up in person with photo ID and pay the fee.
Do we need witnesses when getting married in Ontario?
Yes. You and your spouse, your witnesses and the person who performed the marriage all need to sign the licence immediately after the ceremony.
While the paperwork is in motion
Honestly, the licence is the easy part. The harder part is finding a venue and vendors who are actually free on your date, which is exactly why we built OpenDates.
When I was planning my own wedding, I spent weeks emailing people only to hear they were already booked. On OpenDates you enter your wedding date and see the wedding venues, photographers and videographers, caterers, officiants and planners near you who still have it open. No guessing, no waiting to hear back. It is completely free for couples, always.
Rules and fees can change, and municipalities run their own processes. Please confirm the details with Ontario and with your municipal office before you apply.
Happy planning! Kristina
Photos from Pexels.