Before you get married in Ontario, you need a marriage licence. It is issued by your local municipality (not ServiceOntario), costs $130 to $192 depending on where you apply, and is valid for 90 days. Here is everything you need to know.
A marriage licence is not the same as a marriage certificate. The licence is what you get before the wedding so your officiant can legally perform the ceremony. The marriage certificate is what you order from ServiceOntario after the wedding to prove you are married. This page covers the licence. For certificates, see our marriage certificate guide.
Who Can Get Married in Ontario
Ontario has some of the most open marriage requirements in Canada. There are no gender, residency, citizenship, or medical requirements.
Both people must be at least 16 years old. If either person is 16 or 17, written parental consent is required.
Neither person can be currently married to someone else. Any previous marriage must have ended through divorce, annulment, or the death of the former spouse.
Both people must not be closely related by blood or adoption (parent, sibling, grandparent, etc.).
Both people must be mentally capable of understanding and consenting to the marriage.
You do not need to be a Canadian citizen or resident to get married in Ontario. Visitors, tourists, and temporary residents can all obtain a marriage licence.
Required Documents
Two pieces of government-issued ID per person:
• One must have a photo and signature (driver's licence, passport, Ontario Photo Card)
• Both must show your legal name and date of birth
• Both must be originals (no photocopies, no digital copies)
• Neither can be expired
• If your name has changed (through a previous marriage or legal name change), bring the change of name certificate or previous marriage certificate showing the name change
Common ID combinations:
• Ontario driver's licence + Canadian birth certificate
• Passport + Ontario health card
• Ontario Photo Card + Canadian citizenship certificate
Documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation from a member of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO).
Divorced in Canada:
Bring an original or certified copy of your Certificate of Divorce, your final divorce decree or judgment, or a court-certified copy of the decree. Photocopies are not accepted. The divorce must have been final for at least 31 days (the statutory appeal period).
Divorced outside Canada:
You need a Foreign Divorce Authorization letter from the Office of the Registrar General. This process can take up to 4 weeks. Apply early by contacting the Marriage Office at 1-800-461-2156. Without this letter, the municipal clerk cannot issue a marriage licence.
Widowed:
No additional documentation is required beyond the standard two pieces of ID. You do not need a death certificate for your former spouse.
How to Apply
1Choose any municipality in Ontario. You do not need to apply where you live or where your wedding will take place. The licence is valid anywhere in the province. Pick the municipality with the best price or the most convenient appointment availability.
2Check if your municipality accepts online applications. Many now offer online forms through the Ontario online marriage application portal or their own websites. If online is available, complete the form before your appointment.
3Book an in-person appointment. Even if you apply online, at least one of you must visit the municipal office in person with original ID to pick up the licence. Some municipalities allow only one person to attend; others require both.
4Bring your original documents. Both pieces of ID for each person, plus any divorce or name change documents if applicable. The clerk will review everything and ask you to sign the application.
5Pay the fee. Payment methods vary by municipality. Most accept cash, debit, and credit. Some only accept certain methods. Check the municipality's website before your visit. The fee is non-refundable.
6Receive your licence. Some municipalities issue the licence immediately. Others mail it or require a second pickup appointment. Confirm the process when you book.
7Give the licence to your officiant before the ceremony. Your officiant must have the physical licence in their possession before they can legally perform the marriage.
Cost by Municipality
Each municipality sets its own price. The licence itself is identical everywhere and is valid across all of Ontario. Here are some common prices as of 2026 (call ahead to confirm).
TorontoAs of April 1, 2026$180
Ottawa$192.14
Mississauga, Brampton (Peel Region)$160-$170
Hamilton~$155
Smaller towns (Brant, St. Thomas, etc.)$130-$145
Since the licence is valid across all of Ontario, you can save $50 or more by picking it up from a smaller municipality. If you live near a town that charges $130, there is no reason to pay $180+ in Toronto.
After the Wedding
1Both spouses, both witnesses, and the officiant sign the licence immediately after the ceremony.
2The officiant submits the signed licence to ServiceOntario to register the marriage. This is the officiant's responsibility, not yours.
3You can order a marriage certificate from ServiceOntario any time after the marriage is registered. Registration typically takes 6 to 8 weeks after the ceremony.
Only a person registered with the Province of Ontario can legally perform a marriage ceremony. There are two types:
•Religious officiants: Clergy, ministers, rabbis, imams, and other religious leaders registered under the Marriage Act
•Civil officiants: Judges, justices of the peace, and individuals appointed by the province to perform non-religious ceremonies
Some municipalities offer civil wedding ceremonies at city hall. Toronto's North York Civic Centre, for example, now offers civil wedding services. Contact your local municipal office to ask.
You can verify whether your officiant is registered by searching the Ontario.ca officiant registry. If your officiant is not registered, the marriage will not be legally valid.
If you already had a symbolic, spiritual, or destination wedding ceremony (with an officiant who was not registered in Ontario), provincial law considers that a ceremony has already taken place. A marriage licence cannot be issued for a ceremony that has already happened. Talk to the municipal clerk about your options.
The Banns Alternative
In limited circumstances, the publication of banns can be used instead of a marriage licence. Banns are a religious tradition where the intended marriage is announced publicly (usually at church services) for three consecutive weeks before the ceremony. This is handled entirely by the religious officiant and the church. It costs nothing at the municipal level.
Not all religious organizations offer banns. Contact your marriage officiant directly to ask if this option is available to you.
Witnesses
You need two witnesses at your ceremony. They must be physically present and sign the marriage licence after the ceremony along with both spouses and the officiant. Witnesses can be any age and do not need to be Canadian residents. Friends, family members, and even strangers can serve as witnesses.
If you are having a small ceremony with no guests, some civil officiants (particularly at city hall) can provide witnesses for a small fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both of us need to go to the municipal office? +
It depends on the municipality. Some require both applicants to attend. Others allow one person to pick up the licence as long as the application was signed by both. Check the specific municipality's requirements before booking your appointment.
Can we get married the same day we get the licence? +
Yes. There is no waiting period in Ontario. You can legally get married the same day you receive your licence. Some couples pick up the licence and have a ceremony at city hall within the same visit.
We are both visitors from another country. Can we get married in Ontario? +
Yes. There are no residency or citizenship requirements for a marriage licence in Ontario. International visitors can apply and get married here. Bring your passports as ID. If either of you was previously divorced, the foreign divorce authorization process will take up to 4 weeks, so plan ahead.
What if we lose the licence before the wedding? +
Contact the municipal office where you obtained it. They may be able to issue a replacement, though some municipalities charge an additional fee. Do not wait until the day of the ceremony to discover this problem.
Do we need to change our names after getting married? +
No. Taking your spouse's name is optional in Ontario. If you want to, you can assume your spouse's surname without a legal name change (it is free) or apply for a legal name change ($137). Either way, you update your ID (driver's licence, health card, etc.) at ServiceOntario after the wedding.
How is a marriage licence different from a marriage certificate? +
The licence is permission to get married. You get it before the ceremony from a municipality. The certificate is proof that the marriage happened. You order it after the ceremony from ServiceOntario. You need the licence to get married; you need the certificate to prove you are married (for legal name changes, tax filing, insurance, etc.).
