Getting Married!

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FAQ's

Q: How do I get a marriage licence?

A: The marriage licence is issued on the same day you bring in your application form and the process should take 30 minutes if you have made an appointment, all your documentation is complete, and you provide acceptable identification.

1. Visit Service Ontario website to download the marriage licence application form or pick up a hard-copy the Clerk's Office in Town Hall.

2. Both applicants must complete, sign and date the application.

3. Appointments are recommended for preferred service. Appointments can be made by calling the Clerk's Office at Phone 705-429-3844 ex 2224. Marriage licences are processed from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

4. Bring the following documents:

Completed application form
Supporting divorce documents if applicable
Application fee of $125.00 payable by cash, money order, certified cheque, MasterCard, Visa or debit only
Two pieces of approved original identification for both applicants

5. Staff will provide you with important information on obtaining your marriage certificate after the licence have been issued.

Q: What is the cost of a marriage licence?

A: The cost of a marriage licence application is $125.00 payable by cash, money order, certified cheque, MasterCard, Visa or debit only.

Q: How long does it take to obtain a marriage license?

A: Provided all requirements are met, a marriage licence is issued on the same day you bring in your application form and the process should take 30 minutes if you have made an appointment, all your documentation is complete, and you provide acceptable identification.

Q: How old must I be to get a marriage license?

A: Applicants must be 18 years of age or over to obtain a license. If either applicant is under 18 years of age (16 or 17), the parents of the underage person must be in attendance when the licence is being applied for.

If only one parent has custody or the applicant is adopted, then custody or adoption papers must be presented.

A form will have to be filled out and the parents must produce photo ID.

Visit Service Ontario website to open the marriage licence application form.

Q: What identification is required to get a marriage license?

A: Both applicants are required to provide two (2) pieces of original, current and valid identification with one being government issued photo identification.

Before issuing a marriage licence, proof of legal name of each applicant is required. The Province of Ontario requires that one of the following original documents must be provided by each applicant when applying for a marriage license:

Birth Certificate, and/or
Current Passport, and/or
Canadian Citizenship Card, and/or
Landed Immigrant papers, and/or
Legal Change of Name Certificate

PLUS one of the pieces of ID must have a photo and signature (ie. Driver's License)

Overall, 2 (two) original pieces of ID for each applicant are required:
One must have both a name and birthdate
One must have both a photo and signature

It is very important that the first and last names match on the two pieces of ID that you are presenting for each applicant.

To have your middle name included on your marriage licence it must also appear on both pieces of ID.

Q: What if I need an interpreter to obtain my Marriage Licence?

A: If you do not understand or read English, you must provide your own interpreter.

The interpreter must provide identification and cannot be a family member.

Documents in another language must be supported by a translation prepared by a certified translator.

Q: Can I pick up a marriage license for someone else?

A: No.

A marriage licence can only be issued to the applicant and/or joint applicant with both of the applicants' signatures on the application and both applicants applicable identification.

Q: Can same sex couples obtain a marriage license?

A: Yes.

All information pertaining to marriage licences also applies to same-sex marriages in Ontario.

Q: Can I apply for a marriage license and get married on the same day?

A: Yes you can; however, please allow ample time. If documentation or identification is not in order you could add hours to the processing time or worse, you could be denied the issuance of a licence.

Q: Do both applicants have to be present to obtain a marriage license?

A: No. However, a marriage licence can only be issued to the applicant and/or joint applicant with both of the applicants' signatures on the application and both applicants applicable identification must be presented even if only one applicant is present.

Q: Do I need a marriage licence if I’m having my Banns read in Church?

A: You do not need a marriage licence if you are having your Banns read in a church and the Banns are being registered with the Ontario Government.

Please check with your Clergy or see if the Banns are available to be read for your marriage ceremony in place of purchasing a marriage licence.

Q: How can I obtain a copy of my marriage certificate?

A: Couples must wait about 10 weeks after the marriage ceremony to request the marriage certificate from the Province of Ontario.

The province does not send the certificate automatically.

This is the legal record of the marriage. The couple must initiate the request for a marriage certificate by visiting the Service Ontario website.

A hard copy of the request form is also available from our Clerk's Office and will be given to you when you receive your marriage licence.

For more information please contact the Clerk's Office 705-429-3844 Ext. 2224

Q: How do I change my documents to my spouse’s surname after marriage?

A: Once you are married, you do not legally need to change your surname. You can assume your spouse's surname and change all your documents to your chosen surname with the Record of Marriage which you receive after you are married.

You must change each document individually – such as S.I.N. Card, Driver's Licence, Bank Accounts, Health Cards, Town accounts, etc. – by contacting each agency, indicate that you are requesting a change to your documents to reflect that you were married and assumed your spouse's surname.

Most agencies will require a copy of the Record of Marriage to accomplish this. However, you will require a Marriage Certificate to change your name for government issued identification, such as S.I.N Card, Driver's License, Health Card or Passport.

Q: What do I need to do to get married in Ontario?

A: You can obtain a marriage licence from the Clerk's Office at Town Hall, which can be used anywhere in Ontario.

Q: Is a blood test required to get married?

A: Blood tests or medical certificates are not required in Ontario.

Q: How do I do a legal change of surname after I am married?

A: There is an option for parties of a marriage to legally change their surname, which would in effect, amend their original birth registration, replacing their last name on that record with their new last name while retaining the last name at birth in brackets.

The spouse elects this option under the Change of Name Act, completes the appropriate forms and submits these to the Office of the Registrar General. If the person is born in Ontario, the birth registration is notated, and a birth certificate in the new name is issued, as well as a change of name certificate.

These forms and further information can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Registrar General at 1-800-461-2156 or 416-965-1687.

Q: How long do I have to get married once the marriage license is issued?

A: The licence must be used within three (3) months from the date it was issued.

Q: Do I have to be a resident or citizen of Canada to get married in Canada?

A: There are no residency or citizenship requirements.

Q: What do I need to get a marriage certificate if either of the applicants has been divorced in Canada?

A: If you or your partner was previously married and the marriage was dissolved or annulled within Canada, the original or court-certified copy of the Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce must be presented with your application when applying for a marriage license.

A divorce judgement is not acceptable.

If you do not have the Certificate of Divorce, you will need to contact the court where the divorce was granted in order to obtain one.

Visit the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General for a full list of Ontario court addresses.

Q: What do I need to get a marriage certificate if either of the applicants has been divorced outside of Canada?

A: If you or your partner were previously divorced outside of Canada, authorization from the Office of the Registrar General must be obtained before a marriage licence can be issued. Please visit Service Ontario for more information.

Q: What do I need to get a marriage certificate if I am Widow / Widower?

A: If you are a widow or widower, the Town does not require proof of death of your former spouse.

Q: How can I exchange vows in a civil marriage ceremony?

A: Please contact Laura Borland at

Phone 705-429-3844 ex 2224

deputyclerk@wasagabeach.com

Q: What is the cost of a civil marriage ceremony at Town Hall?

A: The fee for a civil marriage ceremony:

During regular office hours - $200 + HST
Outside regular office hours - $300 + HST

​FAQs

​Getting Married!