Applying for a Marriage Licence

A marriage licence is required to get married in Ontario (or the publication of banns from a church).

Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome to apply for a marriage licence and get married in Ontario, whether you live here or are visiting temporarily. There are no gender, residency, citizenship or medical requirements when applying for a marriage licence. The requirements are the same for everyone.

The are a number of steps to obtain a marriage licence.  All steps must be competed. These steps are listed below:

  • Complete the on-line marriage licence application form.
  • Download and print the completed application form.
    • Write down the application number provided when the online form has been completed.
    • Both applicants must sign and date the application in original ink.
  • Book your in-person appointment to receive a marriage licence.
  • Attend the in-person appointment and:
    • provide two (2) pieces of original acceptable identification for each applicant.
    • provide supporting documentation, if required.
    • pay the $160 fee to receive the licence.

Before you begin the Marriage Licence Application process please review the following:

Complete the Online Marriage Licence Form

Apply for a marriage licence within 90 days of the day you intend to be married. The licence is valid for use anywhere within Ontario.

Start the Process

Your Marriage Licence Appointment

After you have applied for a marriage licence, you must book an in-person appointment to have the application certified and pay the fee.

Marriage licence appointments can be scheduled at the following locations:

  • Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
  • North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street

Following the completion of the online marriage licence application, applicants are prompted to book a marriage licence appointment.  If you did not book an appointment directly following the online marriage licence application, or you need to view, cancel or reschedule your appointment, please follow the link below.

Marriage Licence Appointments

Please note, this appointment is to get your marriage licence ONLY. You must arrange for a separate marriage ceremony to get married.

Attend Your Marriage Licence Appointment

You will need to attend an in-person appointment to get your marriage licence application reviewed and issued.

Only one of the applicants must attend the appointment in-person, but the person will need bring the following to the appointment:

  • Completed, printed and signed marriage licence application form
    • Signed by both applicants
      • Only application forms with original signatures in ink will be accepted.
      • Applications signed with digital signatures will not be accepted.
    • If you cannot print the marriage licence application yourself, the application can be printed at the appointment, however both applicants must attend the appointment to sign the application.
  • Two (2) pieces of government issued identification for EACH applicant totalling four (4) pieces of identification.
  • If required, documentation proving divorce.

At the appointment, you will pay the marriage licence fee of $160.  Please see Fees for more information.

The minimum age for getting married in Ontario is 16. If you are under 18 years old, written consent from all legal guardians is required. Visit Service Ontario for more details.

Each person applying for the marriage licence must provide two (2) pieces of acceptable government issued identification from the list below.

  • Identification must be valid and original (we will not accept photocopies, scanned images or pictures on electronic devices).
  • Identification must provide your legal name and date of birth.
  • Your first and last names (or single name) must match on the two pieces of identification that you are presenting.
  • To have your middle name(s) included on your marriage licence it must also appear on both pieces of identification.
  • Identification on the list can be from any country, but must be government issued.
  • If the identification is not in English, a written translation from a certified translator is required.
  • Health cards, S.I.N. cards and Refugee Protection Claimant Documents will not be accepted.
  • Expired identification will not be accepted.

Acceptable identification

  • Birth Certificate
  • Passport
  • Driver’s Licence
  • Ontario Photo Card (purple photo ID card)
  • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (Canadian Citizenship Card)
  • Conditional Release Identification Card
  • United States Green Card
  • Native Status Card
  • Record of Immigration Landing
  • Confirmation of Permanent Residency
  • Permanent Residency Card
  • Citizenship Card
  • Identity Card
  • Nexus Card
  • Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC)
  • Possession & Acquisition Licence (PAL)

You must provide official proof of the divorce when you apply for a marriage licence.

The following original or court-certified documents are acceptable as proof of divorce in Canada:

  • Certificate of Divorce
    or
  • Final decree (Decree Absolute)

Photocopies of the Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute will not be accepted. A Decree Nisi, a Divorce Judgment or a Divorce Order are not acceptable documents to prove divorce in Canada.

A certified copy of either the Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute may be obtained from the court office that granted the divorce.

A Certificate of Divorce for a divorce granted in Toronto can be obtained at the Superior Court of Justice, 361 University Avenue. For business hours call 416-326-4230.

If you do not know the Canadian municipality where your divorce was granted you can contact the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings or 1-613-957-4519.

If you were divorced outside of Canada, you will need to obtain a Foreign Divorce Authorization from the Province of Ontario, Office of the Registrar General.

ServiceOntario
Marriage Office
PO Box 4600
189 Red River Road
Thunder Bay ON  P7B 6L8

You will need to send the following to the address above:

  • Completed and signed marriage licence application
  • Statement of sole responsibility
  • Legal opinion letter from an Ontario lawyer
  • Original or court-certified copy of the divorce decree or annulment in English or French. If the document is in another language, you will need to include a translated copy and an affidavit sworn by a certified translator.

Visit the Service Ontario website for more information and the required forms, including a sample legal opinion letter.

Once you have received your Foreign Divorce Authorization from the Office of the Registrar General you can make an appointment for a marriage licence.

If you arrive for your appointment without a Foreign Divorce Authorization your marriage licence will not be issued.

For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar General Marriage Office at 1-800-461-2156 or visit Service Ontario.

  • The cost of a marriage licence is $160 (HST does not apply).
  • We accept debit and credit card ONLY. If you do not have a credit or debit card please contact marriage@toronto.ca.
  • The marriage licence fee is non-refundable.