Requirements For Getting Married in Ontario

FEE	The fee for a Licence is $100.00, Canadian funds. (Cash or Canadian Debit ONLY).
AGE	Applicants must be 18 years of age or over to obtain a Licence. Applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age must have both parents' consent (or parent with custody of minor). No person under the age of 16 years may be married.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED	We require identification for BOTH APPLICANTS in the form of: A current passport (which includes a photo) OR an original birth certificate PLUS one piece of government-issued photo identification, i.e. driver's licence, permanent resident card, Ontario Health Card (with photo), Canadian Citizenship card This is required for both applicants.
DIVORCE OF ANNULMENT	If an Applicant has been granted a Divorce or an Annulment in Canada, the Applicant is to file with the Issuer the original or a Court Certified Copy of their final divorce papers (Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute). If an Applicant has been granted a Divorce or an Annulment in a jurisdiction other than Canada, the Applicant should speak to an Issuer of Marriage Licences to receive additional requirements. THE LAW OFFICE OF BEV HODGESON 6057 DRUMMOND ROAD NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO L2G 4M1 bevh@bevhodgson.com
PERIOD DURING WHICH LICENCE IS VALID	A Marriage Licence is valid anywhere in ONTARIO for a period of 3 months from the date of issuance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I pick up the Marriage Licence?

City Clerk's Office
4310 Queen St.
Niagara Falls, ONT.
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EXCLUDING HOLIDAYS.

How long does it take to obtain a Marriage Licence?

Provided ALL requirements are met, a marriage licence can be issued in less than 30 minutes.

License is valid immediately or up to 90 days later in the Province of Ontario.

What is the cost of a Marriage Licence?

The fee for a Licence is $100.00, Canadian funds. (Cash or Canadian Debit ONLY).

What Identification is Required?

We require identification for BOTH APPLICANTS in the form of:
A current passport (which includes a photo)

an original birth certificate
PLUS
one piece of government-issued photo identification
(i.e. driver's licence,permanent resident card, Ontario Health Card (with photo), Canadian Citizenship card

This is required for both applicants.

Do both applicants have to be present to obtain a Marriage Licence?

A Marriage Licence can be issued to the Applicant and/or Joint Applicant.

However; both Applicants signatures, are required on the application.

Identification for both applicants must be presented if only one applicant is present.

Can same-sex couples obtain a Marriage Licence?

Yes!
All information pertaining to marriage licence information on this site also applies to same-sex marriages in Ontario.

How old must I be to get a Marriage Licence?

Applicants must be 18 years of age or over to obtain a Licence.

Applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age must have both parents' consent (or parent with custody of minor).

No person under the age of 16 years may be married.

Is a Blood Test Required?

Blood Tests or Medical Certificates are not required in Ontario.

Residency

There are no residency or citizenship requirements.

Can I pick up a Marriage Licence for someone else?

No!

A Marriage Licence can only be issued to the Applicant and/or Joint Applicant.

Both of the Applicants signature and applicants applicable identification required.

How can I obtain a copy of my Marriage Certificate?

If you have been married in the province of Ontario,
you may apply for an official government copy of your marriage certificate
from the Office of the Registrar General, at least 8 to 12 weeks after the ceremony.

The application for this certificate: Request for Marriage Certificate

Further information regarding the Marriage Certificate are available from the Provincial government:
www.gov.on.ca
or
By calling the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay, Ontario at 1-800-461-2156.

What is required if one or both of the Applicants have been Divorced in Canada?

If an Applicant has been granted a Divorce or an Annulment in Canada,
the Applicant is to file with the Clerk's Office

the original or a Court Certified Copy of their final divorce papers
(Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute).

A Divorce Judgment is not acceptable.

What is Required if one or both of the Applicants have been Divorced outside of Canada?

If an Applicant has been granted a Divorce or an Annulment in a jurisdiction other than Canada,
the Applicant(s) must obtain authorization from the Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations before a marriage licence may be issued.
To obtain this authorization,the applicants or a lawyer representing them.

THE LAW OFFICE OF BEV HODGESON
6057 DRUMMOND ROAD
NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO
L2G 4M1
bevh@bevhodgson.com

Submit the following to:

THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL
P.O. BOX 4600, 189 RED RIVER ROAD
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO P7B 6L8

A completed marriage licence application signed by both applicants.
A Notarized copy of the decree of divorce or annulment
(certified by the proper court officer in the jurisdiction the divorce/annulment was granted)
or
If the decree is in a language other than English or French, include a certified translation.
A statement of Sole Responsibility for each divorce signed by both applicants.
Blank affidavits are available from the issuer of Marriage Licences.
A legal opinion of an Ontario lawyer, addressed to both applicants,
giving reasons why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in the Province of Ontario.

THE LAW OFFICE OF BEV HODGESON
6057 DRUMMOND ROAD
NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO
L2G 4M1
bevh@bevhodgson.com

What is required if I am a Widow/Widower?

Where a spouse has died, proof of death of the spouse must be provided if death occurred outside of the Province of Ontario.

Can I get married at City Hall?

No ceremonies are performed at City Hall.
A Marriage Ceremony may be performed in Ontario by:

A minister

Clergyman

Justice of the Peace
Registered under "The Marriage Act".
The ceremony is the responsibility of the Applicant's.

How Do I Change My Documents to my Partner's Surname After Marriage?

Once married, YOU DO NOT LEGALLY NEED TO CHANGE YOUR SURNAME.

You may ASSUME your partners surname; change all your documents to your chosen surname with the Record of Marriage Certificate.

You must change each document individually:
(S.I.N. Card, Driver's Licence, Bank Accounts,Health Cards, etc.) by contacting each agency

You must indicate that you are assuming your partner's surname;
most agencies will require a copy of the Record of Marriage Certificate to accomplish this.

Can you apply for a marriage licence and get married on the same day?

Yes!
However; PLEASE allow ample time.

If documentation or identification is not in order,
you could add hours to the processing time or worse,
you could be denied the issuance of a licence.

American couples should also be cognizant of possible travel or bridge delays.

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