Marriages Licences and Ceremonies

Any of the below can be used for each applicant assuming two different pieces are provided, they are valid, government-issued, and one has a photo. The names on both pieces of identification must match. Health cards and social insurance cards are not accepted.

• Birth Certificate (Canadian or foreign)
• Passport (Canadian or foreign)
• Driver’s Licence (Canadian or foreign)
• Ontario Photo Card
• Photo Identity Card (other Canadian provinces/territories or foreign)
• Canadian Citizenship Card or Certificate
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card
• Canadian Record of Landing
• Canadian Government Refugee Travel Document
• Canadian Department of National Defence driver’s licence (Form DND 404)
• Canadian Possession and Acquisition Licence
• Canadian Status Card
• Canadian Conditional Release Identification Card
• Nexus card
• United States Green Card
• Report Pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Form IMM 1442)
• Student Authorization/Study Permit (Form IMM 1442)
• Employment Authorization/Work Permit (Form IMM 1442)
• Visitor Record (Form IMM 1442)
• Temporary Resident’s Permit (Form IMM 1442)–Minister’s Permit/Extension of Minister’s Permit

Any identification in a foreign language must be translated into English by a professional translator and include a written declaration from the translator.

You need to be at least 16 years of age to get married in Ontario.

If you are under 18 and you wish to apply for a marriage licence, you must have both sets of parents or guardians must provide consent. 

If you or your partner were married before, you will need to provide divorce documents with your application. This can be the original or court-certified copy of a:

• Decree Absolute
• Certificate of Divorce

Divorce or Annulment outside of Canada

If your divorce or annulment occurred outside of Canada, you will need to get a Foreign Annulment or Divorce Authorization from the Province before you can get a marriage licence. 

This process can take up to 4 weeks and must be completed before you can apply for a marriage licence.

Any applicant who is remarrying after the death of a spouse must bring one of the following:

• Death Certificate
• Funeral Director’s Statement of Death
• A court order declaring that your spouse has died

The bolded sections are mandatory.

The purpose

Officiant:

We are gathered together to witness the formal joining of Applicant and Applicant in legal matrimony under the authority given and provided by the Government of the Province of Ontario.

Marriage is not to be entered upon thoughtlessly or irresponsibly but with due and serious understanding and appreciation of the ends for which it is contracted.

Therefore, if there is any one person who can show just cause why these two persons may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, they should now declare it or hereafter remain silent.

Officiant to each participant in turn:

Please repeat after me:

I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, Applicant, may not be joined in matrimony to Applicant.

Declaration of Intent and Vows

Officiant to each participant in turns:

Would you please face each other and join hands.

Please repeat after me:

I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I Applicant do take you Applicant to be my lawful wedded (wife/husband/spouse/partner)

*Personal vows exchanged here if applicable

Exchange of Rings

*Rings exchanged here if applicable

Officiant to each participant in turn:

This ring is a symbol of your marriage and a symbol of your life together. Please place the ring on Applicant's finger, hold it there and say the words to him/her/them:

This ring I give in token of the covenant made this day between us. It is a symbol of the value of my love for you.

Pronouncement

Officiant:

Applicant and Applicant have pledged themselves to each other and have declared this symbolically by their vows and exchange of rings.

I, Officiant, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage Act of Ontario, do hereby pronounce you Applicant and Applicant to be (husband and wife/partners in life/married).

You may celebrate your marriage with a kiss.

Service Conclusion

Officiant:

Applicant and Applicant, I wish you a long life, happiness and prosperity. May the vows you made to each other today sustain you forever.

Distinguished guests, may I introduce to you the happy couple.

Signing of the Register

Officiant:

At this time, the wedded parties and their witnesses will sign the Official Marriage Register.

The bolded sections are mandatory.

The purpose

Officiant:

On behalf of Applicant and Applicant, welcome and thank you for being here on this special day. By your presence, you celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other and you support their decision to commit themselves to one another for the rest of their lives. Today we are here to celebrate love. We come together to witness and proclaim the joining together of these two people.

Marriage is not to be entered upon thoughtlessly or irresponsibly but with due and serious understanding and appreciation of the ends for which it is contracted.

Therefore, if there is anyone present who can show just cause why these two persons may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, they should now declare it or hereafter remain silent.

Officiant to each participant in turn:

I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, Applicant, may not be joined in matrimony to Applicant.

Declaration of Intent and Vows

Officiant to each participant in turns:

Would you please face each other and join hands.

Please repeat after me:

I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I Applicant do take you Applicant to be my lawful wedded (wife/husband/spouse/partner) to have and to hold, from this day forward. For better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as we both shall live.

*Personal vows exchanged here if applicable

Exchange of Rings

*Rings exchanged here if applicable

Officiant to each participant in turn:

This ring is a symbol of your marriage and a symbol of your life together. Please place the ring on Applicant's finger, hold it there and say the words to him/her/them:

I give you this ring as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your (husband/wife/spouse/partner). With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life with yours.

Pronouncement

Officiant:

Applicant and Applicant have pledged themselves to each other and have declared this symbolically by their vows and exchange of rings.

I, Officiant, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage Act of Ontario, do hereby pronounce you Applicant and Applicant to be (husband and wife/partners in life/married).

You may celebrate your marriage with a kiss.

Service Conclusion

Officiant:

Applicant and Applicant, I wish you a long life, happiness and prosperity. May the vows you made to each other today sustain you forever.

Distinguished guests, may I introduce to you the happy couple.

Signing of the Register

Officiant:

At this time, the wedded parties and their witnesses will sign the Official Marriage Register.

The bolded sections are mandatory.

The purpose

Officiant:

Welcome family, friends and loved ones. We gather here today to celebrate the marriage of Applicant and Applicant. You have come here to share in this formal commitment they make to one another, to offer your love and support to this union, and to allow Applicant and Applicant to start their married life together surrounded by the people dearest and most important to them.

Marriage is the faithful union between two people, the result of which is the growth of a family whose members support and enjoy each other in good times and in bad times. Marriage is not to be entered upon thoughtlessly or irresponsibly but rather with maturity and honesty.

Therefore, if there is anyone present who can show just cause why these two persons may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, they should now declare it or hereafter remain silent.

Officiant to each participant in turn:

I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, Applicant, may not be joined in matrimony to Applicant.

Declaration of Intent and Vows

Officiant to each participant in turns:

Would you please face each other and join hands.

Please repeat after me:

I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I Applicant do take you Applicant to be my lawful wedded (wife/husband/spouse/partner). To laugh with you in joy, to grieve with you in sorrow, to encourage you in doubt, to grow with you in love, and to be faithful to you alone, as long as we both shall live.

*Personal vows exchanged here if applicable

Exchange of Rings

*Rings exchanged here if applicable

Officiant to each participant in turn:

These rings are a symbol of your love and life together. Every time you look at them may you be reminded of the commitment that you have made to each other today. 

Please place the ring on Applicant's finger, hold it there and say the words to him/her/them:

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and lifelong faithfulness to you. With this ring, I thee wed.

Pronouncement

Officiant:

Applicant and Applicant have pledged themselves to each other and have declared this symbolically by their vows and exchange of rings.

I, Officiant, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage Act of Ontario, do hereby pronounce you Applicant and Applicant to be (husband and wife/partners in life/married).

You may celebrate your marriage with a kiss.

Service Conclusion

Officiant:

May you enjoy length of days, fulfillment of hopes and peace and contentment of mind as you day by day live and fulfill the terms of this covenant you have made with one another. I wish you happiness and prosperity and may the vows you made to each other today, sustain you forever.

Distinguished guests, may I introduce to you the happy couple.

Signing of the Register

Officiant:

At this time, the wedded parties and their witnesses will sign the Official Marriage Register.