How To Get Married 

A Step by Step Guide

Many couples who I have spoken to on the phone with, for these past many years of performing weddings have one main question often (after they have done the big leap of asking the big question to their loved on) is what is the procedures to get officially and legally married. There are two parts to this question one for the couple and one for the Officiant.

Interesting fact you may see licence spelt two ways with a "c" or a "s"., the verb licence gives a couple permission to marry, the noun license is given to professionals like a minister to conduct their official duty to marry a couple.

Here in Ontario it has one of the easiest process of any jurisdiction in the Americas.

For the Couple

1. Of course both parties must agree :)
2. There are people we are not allowed to marry (see the Marriage Act)
3. You must get a legal Marriage License from Ontario, Ottawa residents see locations below others just go to your local city hall or municipal building. All jurisdictions get their marriage blank marriage licences from Ontario for $50.00 but the cities can set their own price for the public, nice cash cow. And HST that goes back to the province.
4. An application form must be filled out (please download here if you wish)
5. A Marriage License issued anywhere in Ontario is legal to be used in another region of Ontario.
6. Divorced couples must have a legal divorce certificate issued by the government. If married outside Canada a whole different legal process is needed call your lawyer for divorce papers.
7. Two ID's must be provided for both, one picture ID like a drivers license or passport (since 9/11 these two ID's have become the official forms of ID in Canada) (no health cards are allowed due to security) if you don't have ether an age of majority card from the LCBO is allowed even if your 60 (go figure). Another ID like a birth certificate is needed. Immigration status papers can be used. Or a sworn affidavit from a elected politician or lawyer of identity has been used for some of my couples.
8. Only one person needs to go in with all the documentation now.
9. You may need to swear an oath before the city officer "that do not know of any legal reason why you should not be married to your future spouse". Question of impediment it is called.
10. Age requirement under 16 you can not be married, 16-17 you must have permission from a parent or guardian, birth certificate is needed.  18 and above just the usual ID.
11. No blood test or health certificates are needed.
12. Some couples may consider a prenuptial agreement signed and filed by lawyers.
13. Pre-marital courses are not required by the province but some churches my require them. 

For the Officiant

1. Must follow the Marriage act of Ontario.
2. If Ordained must follow some of their Churches doctrines.
3. Marriage classes are not compulsory for all churches.
4. In the ceremony itself there are legal question needed to be asked required by Ontario.
5. The government considers the marriage license as a marriage contract so legal questions must be asked.
6. The Vows are required and must say "lawfully wedded" in the body. (Sorry there is no longer "Obey" needed in the vows.)
7. General question to the gathered witnesses if they know of any reason to stop the wedding is no longer needed.
8. Officiant must ask the couple before the witnesses if they know of any legal reason they should not be joined.
9. The Government has allowed Ministers of a Church to refuse same sex marriages if their Church considers it against church rules.
10. The Officiant must sign and process all documents issued by the government and handed to him by the couple and send said documents back to the government. All documents are considered government property.
11. The officiant will give part 5 of the marriage license to the couple after the wedding. It is a proof of marriage but has no real legal standing ay more.
12. Couple must be clear of mind as the witnesses, no intoxication is accepted according to government rules.

Marriage Certificates

1. The couple may apply for a certificate after there wedding at least 8-10 weeks have passed using the supplied application, or on line at serviceontario.ca, for a small fee of course.
2. The government or the Officiant will not send any certificate or documentation to couple after the wedding, it is up to the couple. Usually the city will add the application form in with the marriage license.
3. The marriage licence allows you to get married the certificate proves your married.
4. For a bride to change her ID a certificate must be in hand to assume her husbands name. (different in Quebec) In Ontario a husband may assume the wife's name (I have seen this when there where no males on the wife's side)
 

Client Services Centers in Ottawa to get your marriage licence: