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:

1. Prior to visiting the Clerks Department at City Hall,

Please complete the Marriage Licence Application Form

2. After you submit your Marriage Licence Application Form, you will receive an email with your completed form included as an attachment. Print the completed form.

3. Both applicants must sign and date the printed form (must be original signatures, no photocopies or scans).

If you can't complete the online application, you can visit the Office of the City Clerk to pick up a copy of the application.

Purchasing a Marriage Licence:

Once you've completed your Marriage Licence Application, you will need to visit the Office of the City Clerk with the following:

1. A completed and signed Marriage Licence Application Form printed from your online submission.

2. Your payment of $160. You may pay by debit, credit, or cash.

3. Two pieces of valid government issued identification for both applicants (please review Acceptable Identification below).

4. If applicable, the original Canadian divorce certificate or Foreign Divorce Authorization (please review Additional Requirements below).

Marriage licences can be purchased from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
At least one person who is getting married needs to attend. If one party to the marriage attends, that person must provide the original identification for both parties.
You will be required to certify information under oath. If applicable, please bring an interpreter to assist you.
Appointments are not required to obtain a marriage licence.

Acceptable Identification

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

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.