Marriage Certificate Information

**Please note: No Officiant can apply for a Marriage Certificate on your behalf, nor will Service Ontario send you one automatically.**

If you being require legal confirmation of your marriage, you must purchase a Marriage Certificate. 

Ordering online is strongly recommended, as you can check the status of your order anytime. You can apply online any time after the day of the marriage; however, the certificate will not be  issued until the licence is processed. This can take 6-14 weeks depending on the season. 

To order online, please visit  How to get a copy of an Ontario marriage certificate online | ontario.ca 

There are two types of Marriage Certificates. Both the Certificate and Certified Copy are the  government-issued documents that prove the marriage has been registered in Ontario.:

 • The Marriage Certificate ($15) contains the names, the date of the marriage and details  of the Registration (date, number etc.) it comes on a certificate-style page. 

• The Certified Copy of a Marriage Registration (long form $22) is a copy of the completed  Marriage Licence which is signed during the ceremony. The Certified Copy includes more detail and may be more appropriate if needed by lawyers. The Certificate confirms that the marriage has been registered in Ontario,  and can be used to: 

• show legal proof you are are married 

• apply for certain social/health/pension benefits 

• settle an estate 

• change a last name (Required if born outside of Canada) 

• assume a new name without paying the service fee 

You can check on the progress of their Marriage Certificate by calling Service Ontario and  providing the order number listed on the receipt from their online application.

It's strongly recomended to get both for only $37. 

Need your Marriage Certificate ASAP?  

Please see my article on this in the advice section of this website: Expediting your Marriage Certificate 

You do not have to legally change a last name (surname). But if you choose, you can  understand how to do so through Service Ontario.  Getting married | ontario.ca 

If you have additional questions about obtaining your Marriage Certificate, please visit Service Ontario at www.ontario.ca for the most current information. You can also call toll free at 1 800 461 2156 and follow the prompts for any updates regarding your Marriage Licence for processing and registration, and for the status of your Marriage Certificate/Certified Copy of Marriage Registration, if you have applied for one or both.