The Legal Steps for Getting Married

The administrative requirements of getting married in Ontario can feel daunting. As your officiant, I'm here to help minimize that burden so you can focus on the fun stuff. To the right, you will find the key steps for getting married and who is responsible for what - before, during, and after the ceremony.

In short, you need to have your completed marriage license at the time of your ceremony and two legal age witnesses to help complete the documentation.

And remember - your marriage license is different from your marriage certificate.

Obtain your marriage license

Complete and print your marriage license application form no earlier than 90 days (3 months) in advance of your legal wedding ceremony, and allow for at least 1 business day between obtaining your license and your ceremony. For example, if your wedding is on May 30th, 2026, do not get your license any earlier than March 1st., but do not wait until the day before.
You can download a marriage license application form from your local municipality's website, or you can complete it through the ServiceOntario website here.
Once you have printed and completed your marriage license application form, bring it to your local municipal service centre, along with appropriate ID. License fees vary by city - in Hamilton, they're $178 a piece.
Both applicants must sign and date the printed form. Only one of you is required to bring it in, but you need to have ID for both parties. My suggestion - play hooky in the afternoon one day and make a cute date out of going together! Make sure you confirm the location, hours, and appointment policy of your local municipal service centre(s).
Ensure you bring your marriage license to your ceremony. Portions of the license will need to be completed following the ceremony, so it is essential that you have it with you.

If you're getting married in Hamilton, visit the City's webpage here.

Confirm two witnesses

You are required to have two legal age witnesses present at your wedding ceremony to complete the required documentation. This documentation includes portions of the marriage license as well as the officiant’s Marriage Register - a large blue book that is the property of the Province of Ontario and serves as a legal record confirming that the ceremony took place. This record exists as a safeguard in the unlikely event that anything happens to the marriage license after the officiant mails it for processing.

After the ceremony

It is the officiant's responsibility to mail the marriage license to the Province of Ontario (Office of the Registrar General) within 2 days of the ceremony. After 6-8 weeks you can assume it arrived and your marriage was registered. At this point, you can apply for your marriage certificate. A marriage certificate is required if you want to change your name, update identification (passport, driver's license), claim spousal benefits/pensions, settle estates, or process a divorce.

To order a marriage certificate, visit the ServiceOntario webpage here.

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