How to Get Legally Married in Ontario

Getting legally married in Ontario is simpler than most couples expect, but there are a few important steps to follow to make sure everything is official. The legal piece may not be the most exciting part of your wedding day, but without a licence and a licensed officiant, it's just an expensive party! Here's everything Ottawa couples need to know.

Note: This information is accurate at the time of writing but is subject to change. Always check with your municipality to confirm current details.

First, lets clear up a common misconception

A lot of couples use the terms "marriage licence" and "marriage certificate" interchangeably, but they are two very different things!

• A marriage licence is obtained at city hall or a municipal office before your ceremony. You bring it to your wedding, and your officiant signs it and mails it to the province to register your marriage.

  
  

• A marriage certificate is a separate document that can be ordered approximately six months after your ceremony. Think of it like a birth certificate - it's your official, permanent proof that you are married.

NOW! How do you actually get your marriage licence?

1. Complete your application online

Ottawa couples can now complete the marriage licence application online through the City of Ottawa website here. Once submitted and approved, you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to schedule your pickup appointment.

Good news: only one of you needs to attend the pickup appointment! If you're going solo, just make sure you bring two pieces of ID for yourself and two pieces of ID for your partner.

Note: The licence is valid for 90 days from the date it's issued, so time your application accordingly!

2. Bring the required documents

Make sure you bring the following to your appointment:

• Payment: The fee varies by municipality. In Ottawa, it is currently $192.14.

  
  

• Two pieces of government-issued ID, one of which must be photo ID. Accepted documents include:

  • Birth certificate (including any change of name certificates)

  • Canadian Citizenship Card

  • Valid passport

  • Canadian Record of Immigrant Landing

  • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship

  • Driver's Licence

  • Certificate of Indian Status / Indian Status Card

  • Permanent Resident Card

  • United States Green Card

  • Military ID

    
    

  Note: Each municipality may accept different forms of ID, so check your municipality's website before your appointment. The full list of acceptable ID for Ottawa City Hall can be found here.

  
  

  Previously divorced? If either of you has been divorced, you will need to bring your original court-certified divorce documents to your appointment. If your divorce took place outside of Canada, you will also need a written legal opinion from an Ontario lawyer. We recommend getting this sorted well in advance!

  
  

  Previously widowed? No additional documentation is required in Ontario.

3. What happens on your wedding day

Make sure you send your officiant a photo of your licence in advance — they'll need some information from it to fill out their register book, and doing this ahead of time saves scrambling on the day.

Most importantly: don't forget to bring your licence to your ceremony! You'd be surprised how often this happens.

You'll also need two witnesses at your ceremony, both over the age of 18. They'll sign your marriage licence alongside you and your officiant. No witnesses? No problem — we can arrange them for you (pending availability) for a fee of $50 per witness. Get in touch to let us know.

At your ceremony, you, your partner, your two witnesses, and your officiant will all sign the licence together. Afterwards your officiant will give you a Record of Solemnization (this is NOT the same as a marriage certificate) and will mail your documents to the province to register your marriage.

BONUS: Getting your marriage certificate

Immediately following your ceremony, you can apply for your marriage certificate from the province here. Note that it can take up to 6 months to actually receive this document in the mail.

This is the document you'll use as proof of marriage for things like name changes, benefits, and visa applications. Keep it somewhere safe!

That's it — you're officially married!

Have more questions about the legal process? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more detail. And if you're still looking for a licensed Ottawa wedding officiant to make it all official, we'd love to help — learn more about our services here.