Getting Married in Ontario
Toronto Registry Office
Ontario Humanist Society Marriage Officiants are secular (non-religious) clergy licensed by the Province of Ontario to provide ethical marriage ceremonies, legally equivalent to a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Marriage Commissioner or City Hall wedding (aka ‘civil ceremonies’).
We ensure your wedding follows the regulations in the Ontario Marriage Act.
Toronto Marriage License
Couples must obtain their own marriage license. You may obtain a marriage license from any municipality in Ontario, and use the license in Toronto or any other Ontario city. The license fee can be paid by cash, money order, certified cheque, or credit card. The City will not refund marriage license fees once a license has been issued. The license is good for 3 months, and there is no waiting period for marriages; you can obtain the license and be married the same day. Either or both of the persons to be married may obtain the license, with appropriate identification.
Marriage Certificate Registration
At the ceremony, you and your witnesses will sign the license and Marriage Register. The Officiant will give you a Record of Solemnization of the Ceremony. Within 48 hours after the ceremony, your officiant will file your license with the Province so the marriage will be legally registered. After 8 to 10 weeks you may apply for a Certificate of Marriage Registration from the Registrar General in Thunder Bay.
Citizenship/Residency
There are no citizenship or residency requirements to apply for a marriage license in Ontario.
Witnesses
You must have TWO witnesses present over the age of 18 for your ceremony. Ask us if this is a concern.
Ceremony Location
You can get married in Ontario just about anywhere you like, provided you have a licensed officiant to perform the ceremony and, if you hold the ceremony in a public space, the proper permit.
Same Sex Weddings
We welcome all couples. The City of Toronto issues marriage licenses to all eligible couples. Same-sex couples have been receiving licenses since June 11, 2003, following the June 10, 2003 Ontario Court of Appeal decision making same-sex marriages legal in Ontario.
Marriage after divorce
Ontario Regulations: If you have been divorced in Canada, you must provide the original or a court-certified copy of your certificate of divorce, or Decree Absolute. If the marriage was dissolved or annulled in a jurisdiction other than Canada, the applicants must obtain authorization from the Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations before a marriage license may be issued.
For more information on weddings in Toronto, see ElopeToronto.com