How to Get an Ontario Marriage Licence: A Simple Step by Step Guide

If you want your marriage to be legally recognized in Ontario, and not only religiously valid, there is one piece of paper you cannot skip: the marriage licence. It sounds official and a little intimidating, but the truth is it is one of the easier parts of planning your big day. Most couples sort it out in a single visit. Here is how the whole thing works, in plain language.

First, do you even need one?

Not every couple does. A marriage licence is only required if you want your marriage legally registered with the Province of Ontario. If you are having a religious nikah only, with no civil registration, you do not need a licence at all. If you are not sure which one is right for you, our guide on legal marriage versus a religious-only nikah breaks it down. This guide is for couples who want the legal marriage as well.

What a marriage licence actually is

Think of the licence as your permission slip to get married. It does not marry you. It simply allows a registered officiant, your imam if he is registered with the province, to perform the ceremony and then register your marriage afterward. You get the licence first, you hand it to your officiant on the day, and the paperwork gets filed once the ceremony is done.

Before you apply: the basics

• Both of you need to be at least 18. If you are 16 or 17, you need parental consent.
• Neither of you can currently be married to someone else.
• You each need two pieces of valid government-issued ID, and at least one of them must have your photo.

Common ID that works well: a passport, a birth certificate, an Ontario driver's licence, a citizenship card, a permanent resident card, or a government-issued photo card. Bring the originals, not photocopies.

Step by step

1. Fill out the application. Download the Ontario marriage licence application from the ServiceOntario website, or pick one up in person. Both of you complete and sign it. The form is short.
2. Gather your documents. Two pieces of ID each, as above. If either of you was married before, see the next section, because you will need a little extra.
3. Take it to a municipal office. Marriage licences are issued by city halls and municipal offices, not by ServiceOntario counters. You can apply at almost any city hall in Ontario, and you do not have to get married in the same city where you got the licence. Many offices ask you to book an appointment, so it is worth calling ahead.
4. Pay the fee. The cost varies by municipality, usually somewhere around 145 to 160 dollars. Check your city's website for the exact amount and the payment methods they accept.
5. Receive your licence. In most municipalities you walk out with it the same day. Keep it somewhere safe until the ceremony.

If either of you was married before

You can absolutely still get a licence, you just need to show that the earlier marriage has properly ended.

• Divorced in Canada: bring your original or a court-certified copy of the divorce order.
• Divorced outside Canada: this one takes a bit more. Ontario usually asks for your foreign divorce documents, an English or French translation if needed, plus a legal opinion letter from an Ontario lawyer and a signed statement. Start this early, because it takes time. Our guide on having your nikah before the legal paperwork is ready covers what to do while you wait.
• Widowed: bring the death certificate of your former spouse.

After you have the licence

Two things to remember. First, the licence is valid for 90 days from the day it is issued, so do not pick it up months in advance. Get it comfortably within three months of your date. Second, on the day of the nikah, give it to your officiant. If your imam is a registered Ontario officiant, he performs the ceremony and then files the signed licence, and your marriage is officially registered. You will be able to order a marriage certificate from ServiceOntario a few weeks later as your permanent record.

A few common questions

How long does it take to get the licence?

Usually the same day you apply, as long as you bring the right ID and any divorce or death documents. Booking an appointment ahead of time keeps it quick.

Do we both have to go in person?

Requirements differ by municipality. Some let one person submit the application if both have signed it, others want both of you there. Call your city hall and ask before you go.

How long is the licence good for?

90 days from the date it is issued. If it expires before your ceremony, you would need to apply for a new one.

Does the imam issue the licence?

No. Only a city hall or municipal office issues the licence. The imam, if he is a registered officiant, performs the ceremony and registers the marriage using the licence you bring.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees, accepted ID, and exact requirements vary by municipality and can change, so confirm the details with ServiceOntario and your local city hall before you apply.