Government Wedding Requirements:Ontario & Ottawa City Hall Marriage Procedures
Marriage Application Requirements in Ontario
Identification
Either partner may attend in person and make application. The marriage application form must be signed by both parties and presented with two pieces of original valid identification, as outlined below, for both parties in order for a marriage license to be issued. Copies will not be accepted. If any of your identification is in a language other than English or French, an official translation of the document is required. Please contact Client Service Centre staff by e-mail or call
3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) for further details.
The first piece of identification must be any of the following:
a birth certificate*, including any change of name certificates *(see age requirements
below); or
a valid passport; or
a record of immigrant landing; or
a Canadian citizenship card.
The second piece of identification must be in the form of a government-issued photo identification. Acceptable identification includes:
a valid driver's license; or
a valid passport; or
a BYID age-of-majority-card.
The City of Ottawa does not accept health cards as a form of photo identification.
Age requirements
If you are 21 years of age or older, proof of identity as outlined above is required.
If you are under 21, proof of age in the form of a birth certificate is the only acceptable first piece of identification. Any of the second pieces of government-issued photo identification described above must also be presented.
If you are 16 or 17 years of age, parental consent is a must. Please contact Client Service Centre staff by e-mail or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) for further details.
A person under the age of 16 is not permitted to marry in the Province of Ontario.
Gender
The City of Ottawa issues marriage licenses to all eligible couples. Same-sex couples have been receiving marriage licenses since June 11, 2003, following the June 10, 2003 Ontario Court of Appeal decision making same-sex marriages legal in Ontario.
Validity
A marriage license is valid for use anywhere in Ontario only 90 days after its issue date. If you plan to marry outside of the province or the country, be sure to verify the requirements for the appropriate jurisdiction.
Marriage after divorce
If you were divorced in Canada, you must provide the original or a court-certified copy of your certificate of divorce, final decree or final judgment. Photocopies will not be accepted. A certified copy of your certificate of divorce may be obtained from the court office that granted the divorce. All documents will be returned.
If you were divorced outside of Canada, you must obtain authorization from the Minister of Government Services before a marriage license can be issued to you. Visit the Ministry of Government Services Web site or call 1-800-461-2156 to learn how to obtain this authorization.
Declaration
When applying for a marriage license, you are required to certify information under oath. If you do not understand or are not able to read English or French, please bring an interpreter to assist you.
Citizenship
There are no limitations on citizenship or residency when applying for a marriage license in Ontario.
Health analysis
Blood tests and medical certificates are not necessary for marriage license application in Ontario.
License fee
The City of Ottawa charges a $135 service fee for a marriage license. This fee is payable by cash, Interac, Visa or MasterCard. Cheques are not accepted. Marriage license fees are non-refundable.
Office hours
Marriage license application forms may be downloaded from the Ministry of Government Services Web site, or picked-up in person at any Client Service Centre. Should you wish to obtain a license the same day, please arrive a minimum of 30 minutes prior to close.
Want to know more?
For more information about marriage licenses, contact Client Service Centre staff by e-mail or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). To find out how to register your marriage or obtain a marriage certificate, visit Ontario's Ministry of Government Services or call 1-800-461-2156.
Remember: You can only get married at The Ottawa City Hall downtown at their convenience. This requires at least three personal trips in downtown traffic plus parking, walking to and from and also waiting in line for your special day.
Please read the Ottawa requirements for a wedding at city hall. You will see that with their costs for a reserved wedding date and the travel and the parking costs. Your wedding costs could be well be over $500.
City Hall Weddings
Civil Marriage pricing options (Subject to change due to City Budgets)
Couples may select from the following three pricing options. GST must be added
Option 1: ($145). Monday to Wednesday and Friday, not Thursdays, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Option 2: ($258). Friday evenings, between 5 and 7 p.m., and Saturday afternoons between 1 and 3 p.m. This option must be pre-arranged a minimum of 48 hours in advance.
Option 3: ($324). Same as option 2, but pre-arranged less than 48 hours in advance. This option is subject to the availability of staff.
All fees are subject to GST, and are in addition to the $145 non-refundable marriage licence fee. Fees are payable by cash, debit or credit cards. Personal cheques are not accepted.
All prices subject to change with each years budget, as of now they can be $5.00 more each.
Ceremonies are available on a first-come, first-served basis, or by appointment. Although every effort is made to accommodate last-minute requests, there can be situations in which demand regrettably exceeds availability. (So you will not be married that day at all and have to go again). To avoid disappointment, especially if you are arriving from out-of-town or prefer a special date and time, couples are encouraged to make an appointment. Reservations must be made in-person at the City Hall Client Service Centre at 110 Laurier Ave. West, Monday to Wednesday, and Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.; appointments will not be taken by telephone. Payment is due at the time of booking an appointment along with a valid Province of Ontario marriage licence. Certain dates and times throughout the year are not available for bookings, including Statutory Holidays or Sundays. Please consult with a Client Service representative at the time of booking your appointment for further details. (The Chapel at The Stable by A Valley Wedding is open at all times just give us a call for an appointment).
CANCELLATION POLICY:
ANY booked civil marriage appointment can be cancelled, up to and including the day of the ceremony. All cancellations are subject to a non-refundable $50 fee. Marriage licence fees are non-refundable.
Important Information and Details
Requirements
A valid Province of Ontario marriage licence. Couples are requested to obtain or supply a valid Ontario Marriage Licence. A marriage licence may be obtained at any Client Service Centre in Ottawa. A marriage licence can be issued the same day as the civil ceremony at Ottawa City Hall, provided all legislative requirements are met. Marriage licenses are also available from any local municipality in Ontario. Visit our marriage licence section for more information and additional requirements.
Two (2) Witnesses: Couples must provide two witnesses (one for each partner) who must be present at the ceremony, as indicated in section 25 of the Marriage Act (e-laws). The City of Ottawa does not provide witnesses.
Identification: Couples must present a valid piece of government-issued photo identification for each partner, which confirms full legal name and age. Parental consent is required for persons who are 16 or 17 years of age.
Marriage after Divorce: If divorced in Canada, the couple must provide the original or a court-certified copy of the certificate of divorce, final decree or final judgment at the time of booking a ceremony. Photocopies will not be accepted. Visit our marriage license section for more information and additional requirements if divorced outside of Canada.
Language interpreter: Couples are responsible for bringing a language interpreter, if required, either for a language other than English or French, or due to physical restrictions, such as sight and hearing impairments.
Officiants and the ceremony itself:
City staff, trained and designated by the City Clerk, will act as officiants to solemnize the ceremony. The civil marriage service will be a non-denominational, and solemn, ceremony, which adheres to the requirements of the Ministry of Government Services.
Marriage Ineligibility
City staff will not solemnize the marriage of any person who he or she knows or has reasonable grounds to believe lacks capacity to marry. Circumstances rendering a person ineligible for the civil marriage include:
One or both parties are under physical or mental duress
One or both parties fail to meet the age requirements (both parties must be at least 18 years old to get married in Ontario. Parties who are 16 or 17 years old may marry only if they have the consent in writing of both parents)
The parties are related as grandparent, parent, child, grandchild, brother or sister
One of both parties are currently married
One or both parties are mentally ill or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and incapable of understanding the nature of the marriage contract and the duties, obligations and responsibilities that result from marriage.
If the person solemnizing a marriage has any doubts as to the mental capacity of the parties, or one of the parties, he/she may refuse to perform the ceremony.
Gender
The City of Ottawa offers civil marriage services to all eligible couples, following the June 10, 2003, Ontario Court of Appeal decision, making same-sex marriages legal in Ontario.
Ceremony room
The ceremony room (a converted office space) is located on the second floor at City Hall. The room can hold a maximum of 10 people because of limited space. These 10 people include the five individuals participating in the ceremony and a videographer or photographer if you choose to record and capture your special moment.
Client Services Centers for Ottawa
1. Nepean: 101 Centrepointe Dr. (Monday to Friday) (8:30am-4:30pm)
2. North Gower (Rideau): 2155 Rogers Stevens Dr. Thursdays (8:30am-4:30pm)
3. Metcalfe: 8243 Victoria St. (Tuesdays) (8:30am-4:30pm)
4. Orleans: 255 Centrum Blvd. (Monday-Friday) (8:30am-4:30pm)
5. Ottawa: 110 Laurier Ave. West (Monday-Friday) (8:30am-5:00pm)
6. Kanata: 580 Terry Fox Dr. (Monday-Friday) (8:30am-4:30pm)
7. Kinburn: 5670 Carp Rd. (Wednesdays) (8:30am-4:30pm)
There are many other locations located at City Halls surrounding Ottawa to apply for your marriage licence that cost less than Ottawa City locations.
