Getting Legally Married In Ontario
Did you know?:
There are only three groups of people who can legally solemnize a wedding ceremony in Ontario. Religious Official, Ontario Municipal Clerk/Designate, Judge/Justice of the Peace. See before you get married fact sheet (pdf)
There are two types of marriages in Ontario. Here is a quote from the Service Ontario website;
To ensure that your marriage is performed properly and legally, an authorized official needs to marry you. There are 2 types of marriage ceremonies performed in Ontario:
"Religious marriage: a recognized religious official marries you. Check the religious marriage Officiants list to ensure that the officiant you are interested in hiring is authorized to perform a marriage in Ontario. religious marriage Officiants
Civil marriage: a judge, justice of the peace or authorized municipal clerk marries you, often at a local municipal office or city hall. Find a local city hall, town hall or municipal office"
On your wedding day you have a wedding themed party until the officiant shows up.
The officiant is the only professional of the day you MUST have. No officiant, no wedding.
There are people in Ontario acting fraudulently masquerading as wedding Officiants. Always confirm that the officiant you have chosen has a licence to marry in the province.
A marriage certifcate will not automatically be mailed to you by the marriage office, you are required to order one.
A marriage certificate is a record of a marriage. It lists the date and place of the marriage, and names of the people who were married.
A record of solemnization of marriage is not the same as a marriage certificate.
Before you can get a marriage certificate, a marriage needs to be registered. The official who performed the marriage will do this by sending a complete and signed marriage licence to Service Ontario.
You can order a marriage certificate about 6-8 weeks after this happens.
If you are unsure if you need a file sized certificate or certified certificate, please check with the Ministry, government agency, or person requesting the document before you order.
I am a Religious Official that is involved in an organization that encourages couples to choose their own ceremony content. We desire that the ceremony be a reflection of your love and commitment to each other, not a particular religion.
For legal confirmation my name can be found on the Service Ontario website at this link; religious marriage Officiants.
Helpful Links:
Getting married in Ontario fact sheet pdf
Before you get married fact sheet pdf
Who is allowed to perform marriages in Ontario
Getting remarried in Ontario after a divorce
Marriage License Information
The Marriage Licence Application must be completed by individuals wishing to purchase a Marriage Licence in order to be married in Ontario. The form will only be accepted by completing the information and taking it in person to an Ontario Marriage Licence issuer. You will need to bring with you identification, such as a birth certificate (along with any change of name certificates), current passport, Record of Immigrant Landing or Canadian citizenship card, along with photo identification for both the bride and the groom. Contact your City/Municipality Clerk's Office for the location of the Marriage Licence Issuer nearest you and any further requirements.
Marriage Licence Application pdf
Other helpful Government links:
· Spousal Name Change Information
· Certificate Application Information
· Marriage Certificate Application Form pdf
· Online Certificate Application
· Online status inquiry for a Marriage Certificate Application in Ontario
For further information visit the Ontario Government web Site
Please Note:
For questions regarding the marriage licence and name change, please contact your local licensing office or the office of the Registrar General.
Name Change Information
All specific questions related to Marriage Certificates and name changes are handled through the city hall where the Marriage Licence was purchased or by contacting the Office of the Registrar General of Ontario (1.800.461.2156)
All Licensed Officiants are responsible to mail the completed Marriage Licence to Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay within 48 hours of your wedding.
The Record of Solemnization (tear off portion of the licence) is given to each couple on the day of the wedding.
It is not the practice of the licensing office in Thunder Bay to issue a receipt or acknowledgment of registering your marriage. To receive your official Marriage Certificate YOU must apply for it 12 weeks following your wedding. If YOU do not apply for a Marriage Certificate, YOU will not receive one.
We will always follow the policies and procedures of the Ontario government and our licensing body.
For more information please visit:
Spousal name change information
Certificate application information
Marriage certificate application form pdf
Online certificate application
Online status inquiry for a marriage certificate application in Ontario
Now What?
I will place the Record of Solemnization (tear off portion) from the Marriage Licence into a white envelope. This is your portion to keep.
I will mail the rest of the Marriage Licence to the Registrar Generals Office where your information and marriage will be registered. You will not receive any notice or any paperwork from the government confirming the registration.
You must order a Certificate of Marriage, one is not automatically mailed by the Registrar Generals Office. Read carefully the information about name change and the Certificate of Marriage on the Provincial Government Website.
Please note that it is not the responsibility of the officiant to purchase your wedding license or order your certificate of marriage.
FAQs
How soon should we book you?
Your wedding officiant is the only part of the wedding day you must have in order to make it a legal marriage. No other service provider is a must. I recommend that as soon as you have your venue booked, book me.
What are your fees?
My fee is $495.00. This does NOT include a rehearsal.
How long is the ceremony?
The average length is 20-40 minutes. However, each ceremony is unique, so times vary depending on the components chosen.
Can we write our own vows?
Yes. If you do write them, I will ask you to read them to each other.
Can photos be taken during the ceremony?
Yes, I have no restrictions.
What do you wear?
I dress in professional business attire.
Do you have a backup option in case you can’t make it?
Yes. I am part of a larger group of Officiants connected through Ontario Association of Professional Wedding Officiants (OAPWO)