Marriage Licences

You need a Marriage Licence before you can get married in the Province of Ontario. At the City of St. Catharines, we can help you get a Marriage Licence or plan a civil ceremony. A Marriage Licence is valid anywhere in Ontario for up to three months after it is issued.

Apply for a Marriage Licence

Please complete the Marriage Licence Application. You'll need to print the application and make sure that both you and your partner sign and the date the application. Original signatures are required. After completing the application, you must book an appointment (see below).

If you can't complete the online application, you can find a printable form on the Government of Ontario website or visit City Hall to pick up a copy of the application.

Book an appointment

Once you've completed your application, book an appointment to receive your licence. Marriage Licences are available by appointment only from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Please have the original, signed application with you at your scheduled appointment. At least one person who is getting married needs to attend the appointment. If one person can't attend, you must provide the original identification for both of you.

Identification requirements

Two pieces of valid government issued identification must be presented for both applicants. Only original identification will be accepted.

One piece of identification must be an original birth certificate, valid passport, or Nexus Card. An acceptable second piece of identification includes:

Original Birth Certificate (with any change of name certificate, if applicable)
Record of Immigration or Canadian Citizenship Card
Passport
Driver's Licence
Ontario Photo Card
Aboriginal Status Card

Fees

It costs $158.25 to get a Marriage Licence.

Additional requirements

Depending on your situation, you may need to provide additional documentation.

Divorced applicants

In Canada

If you or your partner have previously been divorced, you need to provide the original Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute. We cannot accept a Divorce Order as this is not the final paperwork from the courts.

Outside Canada

If you were divorced outside of Canada, you will need the Province of Ontario to validate your divorce. Please send the following documents to the Registrar General:

Marriage Licence Application - completed and signed
Statement of sole responsibility - for each divorce, signed by those getting married and a witness
Legal opinion letter - from an Ontario Lawyer
Divorce decree or annulment - your original court documents. If they are in another language, you need to include a translated copy

All of these documents need to be sent to the Office of the Registrar General to review and validate. This process can take up to four weeks. Once validated, you'll receive a letter of approval from the Registrar General, which will be valid for 3 months. Please bring this letter with you to your appointment.

Minor applicants

If you're between the ages of 16 and 18 and planning to get married, you need parental consent. Your parents or guardians will need to attend the appointment and provide two sets of identification.

Apply for a marriage certificate

Learn how to apply for a marriage certificate through Service Ontario.