How to Get Married in Ontario

A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Planning your wedding in Ontario? Whether you're dreaming of a rustic barn ceremony in Brant County or an intimate backyard celebration closer to home, Ontario makes it relatively simple to get legally married - as long as you follow the right steps.

This guide covers everything you need to know: getting your marriage licence, understanding the legal requirements, choosing the right officiant, and what happens on the day itself. Bookmark this page - you’ll come back to it.

Quick Checklist: Licence → Officiant → Two Witnesses → Ceremony → Register. That’s it.

Step 1: Get Your Ontario Marriage Licence

Before anything else, you need a marriage licence. In Ontario, a marriage licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue — so don’t apply too early, but don’t leave it to the last minute either.

Where to Get It

You have two options for applying:

1. Online through ServiceOntario — Complete the online Marriage Licence Application through ServiceOntario, then pick it up in person at your chosen participating municipality. Government of Ontario The application takes about 25–30 minutes. Note that not all municipalities participate in the online service Government of Ontario — check the map on the ServiceOntario website before starting.
   

2. In person at a local municipality — Visit any city hall, town hall, or municipal office. You can choose to start your application using a paper form, or check the municipality's website as they may have their own online or in-person process. Government of Ontario
   

Either way, one of you will need to go in person to pick up the licence, and you'll pay the fee at that time. You do not need to apply in the municipality where you're getting married — any Ontario municipality works.

What You Need to Bring

Both people getting married must appear in person (in most municipalities). You’ll each need:

•       Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s licence, or provincial ID card)

•       Proof of age, you must be 18 or older (or 16–17 with parental consent)

•       If previously married: the original or certified copy of your divorce certificate, or the death certificate of your former spouse

How Much Does It Cost?

The fee varies by municipality but is typically between $120 and $150. Check with your local clerk’s office for the exact amount.

Important: Ontario has no waiting period. You can obtain your licence and use it the same day, though planning ahead is always wise.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Marriage Officiant

In Ontario, your marriage must be performed by a legally authorized officiant. There are two categories recognized under the Marriage Act:

1. Civil Officiants (Marriage Commissioners)

Government-appointed officiants who perform civil ceremonies. A good choice for couples who want a non-religious, straightforward ceremony with room for personalization.

2. Officiants Registered Through a Religious Organization

This is where things get a little more nuanced — and where many couples are surprised. In Ontario, officiants don’t have to belong to a church or hold religious beliefs themselves. The province authorizes officiants through registered organizations, and some of those organizations are secular yet registered under the province’s religious category.

I am licensed by the Province of Ontario and registered to perform marriage ceremonies through Humanist Canada — a secular organization that is registered with the province under its religious entities framework.

What does that mean for you? You get a fully legal Ontario marriage ceremony that is warm, personal, and completely non-religious — with no church affiliation, no theological language, and no compromises. Humanist ceremonies focus on the human connection at the centre of your relationship: your story, your values, your commitment.

Pro Tip: Always confirm your officiant is registered with the Province of Ontario before booking. A ceremony performed by an unauthorized person is not legally valid.

Step 3: Understand the Legal Requirements

Ontario’s Marriage Act sets out what makes a marriage legally valid. Here’s what matters:

Who Can Get Married in Ontario

•       You must be 18 or older (16–17 with parental or court consent)

•       You must not currently be married to someone else

•       You cannot marry a close blood relative

•       Both parties must consent freely — no coercion

The Two Witnesses

Ontario law requires two witnesses to be present for your ceremony. There is no minimum age set in law — what matters is that your witnesses are of sound mind, able to understand what they're witnessing, and able to sign their name and provide their address. As a general guideline, witnesses should be at least 18, but there is no hard legal requirement.

Your witnesses must:

• Be present for the entire ceremony

• Sign the marriage register and marriage licence immediately after the ceremony

Your witnesses can be anyone — a sibling, a best friend, a coworker. No special credentials required. They just need to show up, witness the ceremony, and sign.

The Marriage Register

After the ceremony, your officiant completes and files the marriage register — an official provincial record. Both spouses and both witnesses sign this document. Your officiant then sends it to the Office of the Registrar General. This happens automatically; you don’t need to follow up.

Step 4: Plan Your Ceremony Structure

Ontario law doesn’t dictate what your ceremony looks like — only that certain legal declarations are spoken. Everything else is up to you and your officiant.

A Typical Ceremony Outline

1.     Welcome and opening words from the officiant

2.     Optional reading or musical moment

3.     Legal declaration (required by law)

4.     Personal vows

5.     Exchange of rings (optional but traditional)

6.     Pronouncement of marriage

7.     Signing of the marriage register

8.     The kiss — and the celebration begins!

As a Humanist Canada–registered officiant, I build ceremonies around your story. That means we’ll have a real conversation before the day. I’ll learn how you met, what matters to you as a couple, and what kind of ceremony feels right for you — whether that’s deeply heartfelt, lightly humorous, or somewhere in between.

Step 5: After the Ceremony — Getting Your Marriage Certificate

Your officiant files the marriage register with the province automatically. However, the marriage register is not the same as a marriage certificate. If you need an official certificate (for a name change, updating your passport, etc.), you must apply for it separately.

How to Apply

•       Apply online through ServiceOntario at ontario.ca

• Allow at least 12 weeks for processing - I know, it's long these days, but there is no way to speed this up.

•       The fee is approximately $15–$22, depending on the certificate type

Name Change Tip: Use your marriage certificate to update your driver’s licence, health card, SIN, and passport. Keep a few certified copies — you’ll use more than one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get married outdoors in Ontario?

Yes. Ontario allows marriages anywhere — parks, beaches, backyards, vineyards, rooftops. Your officiant comes to you. If you’re using a public space, check local bylaws about gathering permits.

Do we need to be Ontario residents?

No. Anyone can get married in Ontario regardless of where they live. International couples choose Ontario for destination weddings regularly. You do need to obtain your licence from an Ontario municipal clerk’s office, however.

What’s the difference between a civil officiant and a Humanist officiant?

Great question. Both are fully legal. A marriage commissioner is appointed by the government and performs civil ceremonies. A Humanist officiant — like me — is registered through Humanist Canada, which holds provincial registration under the religious entities framework. The practical difference is in the experience: Humanist ceremonies are intentionally personal and meaning-centred, designed to reflect who you are as a couple rather than following a standard civic script.

How far in advance should we book?

For popular summer Saturdays, 6 to 12 months ahead is wise. For off-peak dates or weekday ceremonies, a few months is usually enough. If you have a specific date in mind, reaching out early never hurts.

What if one of us has been divorced?

You’ll need to provide your original Certificate of Divorce (or a court-certified copy) when applying for your marriage licence. If your divorce took place outside Canada, contact the municipal clerk in advance — there may be additional documentation required.

Can you perform ceremonies outside the local area?

Yes — I travel. Whether you’re planning a ceremony in town or somewhere further afield in Ontario, get in touch, and we’ll talk through the details.

Ready to Get Started?

Getting married in Ontario is genuinely straightforward when you know the steps. To recap:

1. Get your marriage licence from a municipal clerk’s office (valid for 90 days)

2. Choose a registered officiant — civil or through a recognized organization like Humanist Canada

3. Arrange two witnesses who are 18 or older

4. Your officiant includes the legal declaration in the ceremony

5. Everyone signs the marriage register on the day

6. Apply to ServiceOntario for your marriage certificate afterward

Whether you’re planning an elaborate celebration or a quiet ceremony with just a few loved ones, the legal part is simple. The joy is all yours.

I’m a Province of Ontario–licensed officiant registered through Humanist Canada. I work with couples who want a ceremony that’s legal, personal, and completely their own — no religious affiliation required.

Get in touch to check availability for your date. I’d love to hear your story!