Planning to get married in Ontario and not sure where to start?
You’re not alone.
Most couples just want a beautiful, stress-free ceremony and a marriage that is 100% legal — without getting lost in government pages, forms, and legal terms.
As licensed marriage officiants in Ontario, we created this simple guide to walk you through:
-Who can get married-What you need before the ceremony
-How the marriage licence works
-What happens if you were divorced
-How to get your marriage certificate
-How to change your last name
-and what we do for you on the legal side
So you can relax and simply enjoy your wedding day.
1. Who Can Get Married in Ontario?
To be legally married in Ontario, both partners must:
-be 18+ years old,-or 16–17 years old with written consent from parents/legal guardians,
-not already be married to someone else,
-be able to freely and willingly consent (no force or pressure).
If one or both partners are 16–17, there is a special Consent of Parents or Guardians form that must be completed and sworn.
If this is your situation, we will guide you step-by-step so everything is valid on the wedding day.
2. What You Need Before You Marry
Before your ceremony, there are 4 main things you need:1- Check your eligibility
– age, previous marriage/divorce, capacity to consent.
2- Get an Ontario Marriage Licence
– from a city/town hall or municipality (more on this below).
3-Choose an authorized marriage officiant
– a person who is legally allowed to perform marriages in Ontario.
4-Plan your ceremony with 2 witnesses
– both partners, two witnesses, and the officiant must be present.
Once the ceremony is done, we sign your licence, submit it to ServiceOntario, and your marriage is registered. After that, you can order your official Marriage Certificate and optionally change your last name.
3. How to Get an Ontario Marriage Licence
A Marriage Licence is your permission to get married.
Without it, the ceremony is not legally valid.
Key points:
-It is valid for 3 months from the date it is issued.-You apply through your local municipality (city/town hall) or online, where available.
-Both partners usually sign the application and bring proper ID.
-There is no requirement to be a Canadian citizen ora permanent resident.
When you book your ceremony with us, we’ll send you clear instructions and links for your city so you know exactly where and how to apply.
4. If You’re Planning to Remarry (Divorce or Death of Spouse)
If you were previously married, Ontario needs proof that the previous marriage has legally ended.
If you were divorced in Canada
You must show official proof of divorce, such as:
-Certificate of Divorce-Final Decree or Final Judgment
If you were divorced outside Canada
The province requires extra documents (including a Legal Opinion Letter from an Ontario lawyer) before you can receive a marriage licence.
If your former spouse has died
You will need a Death Certificate, Funeral Director’s Statement of Death, or a court order confirming the death.
This part can feel confusing — we regularly help couples understand which documents they need before they apply for a licence.
5. Reduced Marriage Licence Fee (Special Cases)
In very specific situations, the provincial portion of the marriage licence fee can be waived — for example, when both partners are eligible under Canada’s Indian Act and live on reserve or Crown land.
Most couples do not fall into this category, but if you think you might, we can point you to the correct form and instructions.
6. After the Wedding: How to Get Your Marriage Certificate
Many couples think the paper they receive on the wedding day is the “certificate”.
In fact:
-The official Marriage Certificate is ordered later from the province after your marriage is registered.
1-Right after your ceremony, we complete and sign your licence with your witnesses.
2-We then submit it to ServiceOntario so your marriage can be officially registered.
3-Once registered, you can order your Marriage Certificate online or by mail.
You’ll use this certificate to:
-prove you are married,-change your last name,
-update government ID,
-or handle legal matters like immigration or estate issues.
7. Changing Your Last Name After Marriage
In Ontario, you have options:
Option 1 – Assume your spouse’s last name
You keep your legal birth name but use your spouse’s last name (or a hyphenated version) on your:
-health card-driver’s licence
-Ontario Photo Card
-and other ID
All you need is your Marriage Certificate.
Option 2 – Legal Name Change
If you want your official birth record and name to be permanently changed, you can apply for a legal name change (a longer process with extra forms and fees).
During our post-ceremony follow-up, we can remind you how and when to order your certificate and what to do if you want to assume a new last name.
8. Who Is Allowed to Perform a Marriage in Ontario?
For your marriage to be valid, it must be performed by someone who is legally authorized under Ontario’s Marriage Act.
There are two main categories:1- Registered Marriage Officiants
– Religious or Indigenous officiants who are officially registered with the province.
2- Civil Officiants
– Municipal clerks/delegates, judges, justices of the peace, etc.
We are licensed Ontario marriage officiants, which means your ceremony is recognized by the province and fully legal.
9. What Your Officiant Does Legally (So You Don’t Have To Worry)
As officiants, we’re not just there to say a few nice words.
On your wedding day, we are your legal representatives.
Our responsibilities include:
-confirming your licence is valid and not expired,-checking eligibility (age, identity, prior marriage status),
-ensuring you both consent freely,
-making sure you have two witnesses,
-using the correct legal wording in the ceremony,
-completing and signing all documents correctly,
-and submitting your licence to register your marriage.
-You focus on your vows and photos.
We focus on making sure everything is legal, accurate, and accepted by the province.
10. Why Couples Choose Us for Their Legal Ontario Wedding
When you book with us, you don’t just get “someone to sign the papers.”
You get:
A licensed Ontario marriage officiant Clear, simple guidance on the marriage licence Help understanding divorce/remarriage requirements A warm, personalized ceremony (simple or custom — your choice) Peace of mind that your marriage is properly registered Follow-up instructions on marriage certificates & name changeBook Your Legal Marriage Signing
If you are planning to get married in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area, Ontaris Wedding Services provides professional and licensed marriage officiant services.
We assist couples across:
Toronto
Vaughan
Richmond Hill
Markham
North York
Brampton
Mississauga
Scarborough
Aurora
Newmarket
Barrie
Phone / WhatsApp
+1 437-967-5747
+1 437-882-5901
About the Author
Saeid Rabiei Majd is a government-authorized and Ontario-licensed marriage officiant providing professional wedding ceremony and legal marriage signing services across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, including Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, North York, Mississauga, Brampton, Aurora, Newmarket, and Barrie.
Through Ontaris Wedding Services, he helps couples complete their marriage process smoothly, legally, and professionally.