The above picture is a sample of a marriage licence.

-  While all marriage licences are created equal, they do vary in price depending on where you decide to get your licence. You do not need to purchase your marriage licence in the city or town that you’ll be married in. You can get your licence in any community in Ontario. 

 - A valid Marriage Licence and Record of Solemnization (temporary certificate) is issued to each  couple by an Ontario Marriage Licence issuer, typically any City Hall, in Ontario.

- Only one of the marrying parties is required to attend when purchasing the licence, but they must have two pieces of Government Issued ID for both parties, and death/divorce certificates if previously married. 

**No Officiant can obtain a Marriage Licence on the couple's behalf.**

- Couples do not need to be Canadian Residents to obtain a marriage licence. If, however, they  were previously married outside of Canada, they will need to obtain a death/divorce certificates and submit it to the Office of the Registrar General prior to requesting a marriage licence. 

- An Ontario Marriage Licence is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued, and it is only valid for use in Ontario. 

- Municipal offices that issue Marriage Licences are open on weekdays. 

Licences can be purchased and received on the same day. 

**Couples are strongly encouraged to review their licence before leaving the service desk. (Check for spelling of names, birth dates, etc...) Any errors on the Licence must be fixed at the issuing office, by the issuing officer. If there is a need to prove they are married and a name or a birthdate on the licence doesn’t match, it can be problematic.  If you notice a mistake after leaving the service desk, DO NOT ALTER it in any way. 

Your Officiant is only responsible for "Part 3 - Statement of Marriage" on the Marriage Licence. **

- The Record of Solemnization of Marriage is Part 4 of the licence. This is for your Officiant to fill out, and for your witnesses to sign in the presence of the Officiant and couple. The Record of Solemnization will be provided by your marriage officiant immediately following the marriage ceremony. This is a souvenir of the marriage and is not the same thing as a marriage certificate.

(Although, it does have some value, as past couples have informed me that they did get a honeymoon package at the resort they were staying at, or even a free dessert at a restaurant the day of their ceremony.) 

- If a partner entering the marriage has been previously married, they will need to provide proof of  divorce when applying for the Marriage Licence.