Marriage Licences

The fee to obtain a marriage licence is $164. We accept Cash, Cheque, Interac, Visa and Mastercard.

You must be 16 years of age to apply for a marriage licence. Marriage licence applicants under 18 years of age are also required to submit a completed Consent of Parent or Guardian to Marriage form signed by both parents (or legal guardian). The parents/guardian must swear or affirm the form before a commissioner for taking affidavits. The Consent of Parent or Guardian to Marriage form is available through Service Ontario.

Original identification for both applicants is required. Two pieces of government issued identification must be shown for each applicant confirming name, date of birth and signature. One piece of identification MUST have a photo.

The first piece of identification must be one of the following:

• Valid Passport
• Valid Birth Certificate

The second piece of identification can be one of the following:

• Valid Driver's Licence
• Valid Ontario Photo Card
• Canadian Citizenship Card / Certificate

Identification documents are a requirement for all applicants. Documents presented in a language other than English, must be supported with a translation by an authorized translator.

Canadian Divorce

If there has been a previous marriage and the divorce was granted in Canada, you are required to bring the original Certificate of Divorce. A photocopy is not acceptable.

Divorce Outside of Canada

An applicant, whose former marriage was dissolved or annulled in a jurisdiction other than Canada, must obtain authorization from the Office of the Registrar General before a marriage licence may be issued.

To obtain this authorization, the applicants or a lawyer representing the applicants, must submit:

1. A completed and signed Marriage Licence Application.
2. A Statement of Sole Responsibility for each divorce (signed by both people who are planning to get married and a witness).
3. The original Certificate of Divorce or the Decree or Annulment court-certified copy in English or French. If the document is in a language other than English, you will need to include a translated copy and an affidavit sworn by a certified translator.
4. A legal opinion letter from an Ontario lawyer, addressed to both applicants, giving reasons why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in the Province of Ontario.

Mail these four documents to The Office of the Registrar General, P.O. Box 4600, 189 Red River Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6L8.

Widow or widower

If either party to the marriage licence application is a widow or widower, they are not required to produce a death certificate to obtain a marriage licence.

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

One applicant to the marriage may submit the completed application form in order to obtain a marriage licence, provided that the required original identification/documentation for the absent applicant is presented. The application must be original and signed by both parties.

Any additional questions, please contact 905-727-1375.