How to apply for a Marriage Licence
Licence Fee
Requirements:
Identification
Obtaining a Licence When One Party is Absent
Prior Marriage:
Canadian Divorce
Divorce Outside of Canada
Widow or Widower
Age Requirements
Residency and Citizenship
Blood Tests
Declaration Made by Applicants
Expiry Date of Marriage Licence
Marriage Ceremony
Publication of Banns
Name Change Options as a Result of Marriage
Record of Marriage
Marriage Certificate:
How to Request a Marriage Certificate
How to Obtain Old Marriage Records
How to Obtain a Marriage Certificate for Another Province
Marriage Outside of Ontario
Government of Ontario Website
How to Apply for a Marriage Licence
A Marriage Licence Application Form is available here or at a Municipal Service Centre location provided below:
**Please review all Marriage Licence Requirements before completing the application.
Municipal Service Centres are open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Offices are closed on all Government Statuatory Holidays and between Christmas and New Years.
Municipal Service Centre Locations:
Hamilton - City Hall, 71 Main Street West, 1st Floor
Ancaster - 300 Wilson Street East
Dundas - 60 Main Street
Flamborough - 7 Innovation Drive, Suite 117
Glanbrook - 4280 Binbrook Road
Stoney Creek - 777 Highway #8
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Licence Fee
The Marriage Licence fee is $135.00. Cash, Money Order, Debit or Credit Card
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Requirements:
Identification
Original identification for both applicants is required. Two (2) pieces of identification must be shown for each party confirming name, birth date and signature.
First piece of identification must be one of the following:
- Birth Certificate
- Current Passport
- Record of Immigrant Landing
- Canadian Citizenship Card
Second piece of identification must be photo identification, which can be one of the following:
- Driver's License
- Ontario Health Card with photo
- Current Passport (providing it is not used as the first piece of identification)
These documents are required for all applicants. Documents presented in a language other than English, must be supported by a translation by an authorized translator.
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Obtaining a Licence When One Party is Absent
One applicant to the marriage may submit the completed application form to the City Clerk's Office in order to obtain a Marriage Licence, provided that the required original identification/documentation for the absent applicant is presented. The application must be original and signed by both parties.
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Prior Marriage:
Canadian Divorce
If there has been a previous marriage and the divorce was granted in Canada, you are required to bring the original Certificate of Divorce or the Decree Absolute, or a court certified true copy of same, along with your marriage licence application. Please note that a photocopy is not acceptable. Also, a Divorce Judgement, Divorce Order or Decree Nisi issued by the Court is not acceptable. All documents will be returned.
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Divorce Outside of Canada
An applicant whose former marriage was dissolved or annulled in a jurisdiction other than Canada must obtain authorization from the Office of the Registrar General before a marriage licence may be issued. To obtain this authorization, the applicants or a lawyer representing the applicants, must submit the following to:
The Office of the Registrar General
P.O. Box 4600
189 Red River Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6L8
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A completed marriage licence application signed by both applicants
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The original Certificate of Divorce or the Decree Absolute, or a court certified copy of same. If the decree is in a language other than English or French, include a translated copy together with an affidavit sworn by the translator. (A court-certified copy means certified by the proper court officer in the jurisdiction the divorce or annulment was granted.)
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A Statement of Sole Responsibility for each divorce signed by both applicants. Blank affidavits are available at the City Clerk's Office or from the Registrar General's Website Click Here
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A legal opinion of an Ontario Lawyer, addressed to both applicants, giving reasons why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in the Province of Ontario.
To view the Government of Ontario Web page on this matter Click Here:
Service Ontario
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Widow or Widower
If either party to the marriage licence application is a widow or widower, they are not required to produce a death certificate to obtain a marriage licence.
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Age Requirements
In accordance with the Marriage Act, marriage licences may be issued to persons 18 years of age and over, providing a completed marriage licence application and required information is submitted to the Issuer of Marriage Licences.
Applicants who are 16 and 17 years of age are required to submit a completed Consent of Parent of Guardian to Marriage Form signed by both parents (or legal guardian) when making application for a marriage licence. The Consent of Parent of Guardian to Marriage form is available from the City Clerk's Office or click here for an on-line copy.
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Residency and Citizenship
There are no residency or citizenship requirements.
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Blood Tests
Blood tests or medical certificates are not required in Ontario.
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Declaration Made by Applicants
When applying for a marriage licence, you are required to certify information under oath. If you do not understand or are not able to read English, please bring an interpreter to assist you.
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Expiry Date of Marriage Licence
A marriage licence is valid for use anywhere in Ontario for three (3) months from the date of issue.
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Marriage Ceremony
It is your responsibility to arrange the marriage ceremony. A marriage ceremony may be performed by licence in Ontario by a minister or clergyman registered under the Marriage Act or a Judge or Justice of the Peace.
The City Clerk's Office, as a courtesy to persons contemplating marriage, has put together a pamphlet of Ministers. This list is by no means an exhaustive list of persons who may be authorized to perform marriages. The City of Hamilton does not endorse any specific person(s) noted on this courtesy list. If you wish to be added to this list and are able to perform marriage ceremonies under the Marriage Act, please forward your information to the City Clerk’s Office – Vital Statistics Section. The pamphlet is available from the City Clerk's Office, Municipal Service Centres or on-line click here.
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Publication of Banns
A marriage may be solemnized under the authority of the publication of banns if both parties to the proposed marriage worship regularly at their own church in Canada.
No one may marry under the authority of the publication of banns if there was a previous marriage (dissolved or annulled).
Further information concerning marriage under the authority of the publication of banns may be obtained from a minister or a member of the clergy.
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Name Change Options as a Result of Marriage
The applicants have three options following the marriage with respect to use of last name (surname).
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Continue to use his/her current last name. The spouse who wishes to keep his/her current legal last name needs to take no action. Ontario Law does not require a spouse to change his/her last name upon marriage.
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Upon marriage, either spouse may assume the other's legal last name. It can be used alone or can be hyphenated with their legal last name. It is not unlawful to use your spouse's legal last name, provided it is not for fraudulent purposes. Your Record of Marriage or a Marriage Certificate will be required to change any identification.
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You can elect to legally change your last name as a result of marriage. If you legally change you name within 90 days after your marriage, there is no fee. It is important to note that this process is done through the Office of the Registrar General and will amend your original birth registration (certificate).
An application for a name change can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar General and if the name change is not the result of marriage or is not within 90 days, a fee will apply.
Please contact the Office of the Registrar General at 1-800-461-2156 for further information or click here to visit their website at: Service Ontario
Record of Marriage
The Record of Marriage given to the couple following the marriage ceremony is the only proof a couple will have of their marriage until it is officially registered by the Office of the Registrar General. The person solemnizing the marriage is responsible for submitting the Form 7 Statement of Marriage to the Office of the Registrar General. It may take up to twelve (12) weeks to finalize the registration.
The Record of Marriage should be sufficient to use as proof for the spouse to change over his/her identification to the assumed married last name. If a Marriage Certificate is required, please see "How to Request a Marriage Certificate".
Marriage Outside of Ontario
If your marriage took place outside of Ontario, your marriage is not registered in Ontario. Your marriage will be registered in the jurisdiction where the marriage licence was issued. If you require a Marriage Certificate, you will have to contact the Office which issued your licence.
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Marriage Certificate:
How to Request a Marriage Certificate
Application for marriages that took place in Ontario can be completed
On-line at Service Ontario
OR
Applications forms can be obtained from the City Clerk's Office, Municipal Service Centres or click here for an on-line copy.
A completed Marriage Certificate Application and payment of the required fee for a marriage that has occurred in Ontario, can be:
- Mailed to the Office of the Registrar General - P.O. Box 4600, 189 Red River Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6L8.
- Faxed to the Office of the Registrar General at 807-343-7459 provided payment is made by credit card.
- You can obtain a birth certificate in 48 hours by going in person to the Toronto Counter at MacDonald Block, Room M2-49, 900 Bay Street, 2nd Floor (Bay and Wellesley), Toronto, ON M7A 1Y5. You should arrive at the Toronto Counter for 8:30 a.m. and anticipate long line ups. You should ensure that you bring proper photo identification with you.