OBTAINING A MARRIAGE LICENSE

Getting an Ontario marriage license is required by Ontario law. The process for obtaining a marriage license is not difficult. The lay chaplains have provided the following guideline in order to minimize your stress.

You can get a marriage license application from most municipal offices in the province. A marriage license is valid for three months anywhere in the province. To get a marriage license, make sure that both you and your partner meet all the criteria listed below.

The application

Visit the Service Ontario website § for a marriage license application, or pick one up at a municipal office. To compare the fees and hours of municipal offices in the Niagara Region please go to our Comparing Marriage License Services in the Niagara Region §.

You must complete all the information requested on the form. Make sure that both individuals sign the form and have the identification required. One (or both of you) must go a municipal registry office to complete the process

If you have the proper identification, completed the form correctly and have the proper fee, your license can be issued to you the same day.

Identification

Any two of the following identity documents will be accepted (one of which must be photo ID). The following identity documents will be accepted:

• Birth Certificate
• Passport
• Driver’s license
• Canadian Citizenship Card
• Canadian Government Refugee Travel Document
• Conditional Release Identification Card
• United States Green Card
• Native Status Card
• Record of Immigration Landing
• Any Country Citizenship Card

Identity documents must be original; photocopies will not be accepted.

Age requirements

Both partners must be 18 years of age or older. If you are 16 or 17 years of age, parental consent is required. Please contact your Municipal Registry Office for further information. If you are under the age of 16 years you may not marry in the Province of Ontario.

Gender

Municipal Registry Offices in the Niagara Region issue marriage licenses to all eligible couples. Same-sex couples have been receiving licenses since June 11, 2003, following the June 10, 2003 Ontario Court of Appeal decision making same-sex marriages legal in Ontario.

Marriage after divorce

If you were divorced in Canada, you must provide the original or a court-certified copy of your certificate of divorce, or Decree Absolute. Photocopies will not be accepted. A certified copy of your certificate of divorce may be obtained from the court office that granted the divorce.

If you were divorced, or your marriage dissolved or annulled outside of Canada, you must get authorization from the Minister of Government Services before a marriage license can be issued to you. Visit the Service Ontario website § or call 416-325-8305 to learn how to obtain this authorization.

Citizenship/Residency

There are no citizenship or residency requirements when applying for a marriage license in Ontario.

Medical requirements

Blood tests or medical certificates are not required for a marriage license in Ontario.

Validity/expiry date

A marriage license is valid anywhere in Ontario for three months from the date of issue.