To get legally married in Ontario you need three things: a marriage licence from any municipal clerk's office (typically $145 to $170, valid for 90 days), two witnesses aged 18 or older, and a ceremony performed by an officiant registered with the Province of Ontario. Here's how each step works, including where to apply in Durham, York, Peterborough, and Northumberland.
The marriage licence. In Ontario, both partners apply in person at any municipal clerk's office (City Hall or Town Hall). You'll each need two pieces of government-issued ID, and you'll need to provide details of any previous marriages. The fee varies by municipality (typically $145 to $170), and the licence is valid anywhere within the province for three months (90 days) from the date of issue.
Witnesses. Ontario requires two witnesses at your ceremony. They must be at least 18 years old and mentally capable of understanding what they are witnessing. Most couples ask close friends or family.
The officiant's role. Your licensed officiant signs the register and the licence after the ceremony, then submits the registration to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay. Registration can take up to 12 weeks, after which you can apply through ServiceOntario for your marriage certificate, the official record of the marriage.
Three options for the legal signing. Couples often ask how the legal piece fits with the ceremony itself. I offer three options: an in-office signing before or after the wedding day, a same-day signing where I meet you at your ceremony location, or attending the reception location to sign the paperwork there. Whatever works best for your day works for me.
Helpful tips.
- No blood test is required in Ontario.
- You do not need to live in Ontario, or in Canada, to be married here.
- Both pages of the marriage licence must be brought to the ceremony.
- If either partner has been previously married, bring divorce documentation when applying for the licence.
- Don't apply for the licence too early. The 90-day clock starts ticking immediately.
- Don't lose the paper licence between issue and the ceremony. Bring it with you on the day.
Where to apply in Durham Region. Oshawa City Hall (50 Centre St S), Whitby Town Hall (575 Rossland Rd E), Pickering Civic Complex (1 The Esplanade), Ajax Town Hall (65 Harwood Ave S), and the Clarington Municipal Office in Bowmanville (40 Temperance St) all issue marriage licences. Remember: a licence from any Ontario municipality is valid anywhere in the province.
Where to apply in York Region. Markham Civic Centre (101 Town Centre Blvd), Town of Aurora (100 John West Way), Township of Uxbridge (51 Toronto St S), Town of Newmarket (395 Mulock Dr), Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr W), Richmond Hill Municipal Office (225 East Beaver Creek Rd), and Whitchurch-Stouffville Municipal Offices (111 Sandiford Dr).
Where to apply in Peterborough & the Kawarthas. City of Peterborough City Hall (500 George St N), Township of Selwyn (1310 Centre Line, for Lakefield and area), City of Kawartha Lakes (26 Francis St, Lindsay), Township of Cavan Monaghan (988 County Rd 10, Millbrook), and Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan (20 Third St, Keene).
Where to apply in Northumberland County. Town of Cobourg at Victoria Hall (55 King St W), Municipality of Port Hope (56 Queen St), and Municipality of Brighton (35 Alice St), with the township offices covering Hamilton, Cramahe, Alnwick/Haldimand, and Trent Hills.
Legal recognition beyond Ontario. Your Ontario marriage is legally recognized across Canada. For recognition in many other countries, you may need an apostille seal or authentication of your marriage certificate through Global Affairs Canada. If you're planning to use your marriage record abroad, ask your officiant or check Global Affairs Canada's documentation guidance early in the process.
Once the legal pieces are in place, you're free to focus on what actually matters: the ceremony itself.
