Marriage Licences & Legal Requirements

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How do we get a marriage licence?

The process is simpler than you might think! In Ontario, you apply online, and then visit any municipal office (like Ottawa City Hall) with your ID and any required documents and walk out with your licence. It's valid for 90 days. We've written a full step-by-step guide in our blog — read it here. In Quebec, the process works a little differently — your officiant handles the licence on your behalf.

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What are the requirements to get a marriage licence?

In both Ontario and Quebec, the requirements are straightforward: you must both be there willingly, neither of you can currently be married, you must not be related, and you must both be over the age of 16. Those between 16 and 18 will require written parental consent.

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Where can I get my Ontario marriage licence?

You can get your marriage licence at any municipal office in Ontario — it doesn't have to be in the same city where you plan to get married. Ottawa City Hall is the most convenient option for most of our couples, but if you're willing to drive a little, you can sometimes save money at a smaller municipality. For example, in North Grenville the fee is currently $130, compared to $192.14 in Ottawa. Note that these fees can change, so always check your municipality's website for the most current information.

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What's the difference between a marriage licence and a marriage certificate?

Great question — these two documents get confused a lot! Your marriage licence is what you obtain before your ceremony at a municipal office in Ontario. On the day of your wedding, you and your partner sign the licence along with two witnesses and your officiant. Your officiant then mails it to the province to register your marriage. Your marriage certificate is a separate document that you can order following your ceremony — it's the official keepsake document, similar to a birth certificate, that serves as your permanent proof of marriage. Read our blog post for more details.

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My ID doesn't accurately reflect my gender or name. Is this a problem?

Not at all. The marriage licence application does not ask for sex or gender information, and your marriage certificate contains no gender markings. You will need to provide two pieces of ID to obtain your licence, and the licence will be issued in your legal name. If you legally change your name at a later date, you can obtain a new marriage certificate reflecting your new name by contacting ServiceOntario at 1-800-461-2156 and requesting an application for a correction to a Marriage Registration Form (Form 23). We are proud to support couples of all gender identities and expressions, and are happy to answer any questions you have about this process.

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Do I need any special documents if I am widowed?

No. In Ontario, you are not required to provide any additional documentation if you are widowed.

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Do I need any special documents if I am divorced?

Yes. If you have been previously divorced, you will need to bring your original court-certified divorce documents to your marriage licence appointment. If you were divorced outside of Canada, you will additionally need a written legal opinion from an Ontario lawyer. We recommend contacting a lawyer well in advance to allow time for this process.

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How can I confirm that my officiant is legally authorized to marry us?

Every person who is legally authorized to perform marriages is listed on the provincial registry. You can check the links below to confirm that your officiant is registered:

• Ontario registry: click here

• Quebec registry: click here

 

 

Ontario & Quebec: Cross-Province Questions

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Can I get married in a different province than the one I live in?

Absolutely! Getting married in a different province doesn't affect the legal validity of your marriage across Canada. However, there are a few differences between Ontario and Quebec that are worth knowing about before you start planning. We've written a full blog post on this topic — read it here.

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Booking & Working With Us

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How much does a wedding officiant cost?

Our packages start at $375 for a simple paper signing ceremony and go up to $1,150 for a fully bespoke, personalized wedding ceremony. Pricing varies depending on the date, time, location, and level of customization. Contact us for a personalized quote — we're always happy to talk through what's right for you.

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How far in advance should I book?

It really depends on your date! If you're planning a Saturday wedding during peak season (May–October), we recommend getting in touch as soon as your date is confirmed — those dates book up fast, sometimes 12–18 months in advance. Off-season and weekday dates tend to have more flexibility, but earlier is always better. And if you're hoping to get married this afternoon? You never know until you ask — reach out and we'll see what we can do!

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How soon after getting our marriage licence can you marry us?

As soon as you'd like! We can even meet you at City Hall and marry you the same day you pick up your licence.

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What if we need to cancel or change our date?

We completely understand that plans sometimes change. Up until 60 days before your wedding, you can request a date or time change free of charge, subject to our availability. If you need to cancel your contract entirely, you may do so in writing at any time — please note that payments made prior to cancellation are non-refundable.

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Will you attend our wedding rehearsal?

We can! While it isn't always necessary, walking through the ceremony beforehand adds comfort and confidence for everyone involved. Rehearsal attendance is available at an additional fee, and is subject to availability based on the date and time of your rehearsal.

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Do you have a location for our paper signing ceremony?

We do! Our home office is located in the west end of Ottawa, and we're happy to host you and your two witnesses for a paper signing ceremony in our backyard. We can also come to you — a park, your home, or even your favourite coffee shop all work beautifully.

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We don't want any guests. Can you provide witnesses?

Absolutely. We can arrange witnesses for your ceremony (pending availability) for a fee of $50 per witness.

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What areas do you serve?

We are based in Ottawa and serve couples across Ontario and Quebec. Travel fees may apply — get in touch and we'll give you all the details.

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What if my officiant gets sick or has an emergency on our wedding day?

As a team of officiants, we have each other's backs. In the unlikely event that your officiant is unable to attend, we will do everything in our power to ensure another member of our team is there for you. We also have strong relationships with other trusted officiants in Ottawa, so in a worst-case scenario, we will move mountains to make sure you are not left without someone to marry you on your wedding day.​

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About Grounded Ceremonies

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What makes Grounded Ceremonies different from other Ottawa officiants?

We are a small, close-knit team of wedding officiants and certified Life Cycle Celebrants  We specialize in creating personalized, meaningful ceremonies that tell your unique love story. We are woman-owned, queer-owned, and deeply committed to celebrating love in all its forms.

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Do you perform LGBTQ+ weddings?

Absolutely and enthusiastically. Grounded Ceremonies is queer-owned, and every member of our team would be overjoyed to marry any two adults in love, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion, ethnicity, or ability.

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Do you offer elopement packages?

Yes! Our team of officiants is available for ceremonies of all sizes, from 2 guests to 200 or more. If you're looking for full elopement packages that include photography, officiant services, location sourcing, and more, check out our sister company Ottawa Elopements.

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Can a friend or family member legally marry us in Ontario?

Under Ontario law, only licensed officiants can legally solemnize a marriage. However, our DIY Wedding Ceremony package is designed exactly for couples who want a loved one to lead their ceremony. We handle all the legal requirements separately, and your friend or family member gets to be the star of the show on your actual wedding day.