Everything You Need to Know to Get Married in Toronto [2024]


Difficulty	Easy ●●○○○
Time required	1 day to a few months, depending on the preparations for the ceremony
Things you need	A computer with access to the internet and/or a telephone, two valid IDs, a marriage licence, supporting documentation i.e.proof of divorce (if applicable)

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Step 1: Apply for a Marriage Licence

You have to be at least 16 years old and have two valid government-issued IDs to apply for a marriage licence, which can be obtained at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall.

Appointments can be made online or by phoning 416-392-7000. The application costs $160 and is valid for three months from the date of issuance.

Step 2: Plan your wedding ceremony

Once you’ve got your marriage licence sorted, it’s time to dive into planning your wedding ceremony. Here are a few key things to add to your to-do list:

Pick a date, time, and location for your ceremony.
Decide who will officiate your ceremony.
Create a guest list and plan out the menu for the celebratory feast.
Decide on the programme and entertainment after the ceremony.

Step 3: Get married

On your wedding day, make sure to bring your marriage licence and two witnesses to the ceremony. The officiant will check your licence and then conduct the ceremony.

Once the ceremony is over, the officiant will sign your marriage licence, officially sealing the deal. Congratulations, you’re now married!

Step 4: Obtain a Marriage Certificate

About three months after your wedding, you can request a marriage certificate from the Office of the Registrar General. It costs $25.

A marriage certificate is an important legal document that confirms your marriage. You’ll need it for various reasons like changing your name, applying for a passport, or accessing certain benefits like a spouse’s pension.

FAQs on Getting Married in Toronto

What do you need to get married in Toronto?

To get married in Toronto, you will need the following:

• Two valid IDs
• A valid Ontario marriage licence
• Two witnesses who are at least 18 years old
• A registered marriage officiant
• Supporting documentation i.e.proof of divorce (if applicable)

What’s the age minimum to get married in Toronto?

You must be at least 16 years old to get married in Toronto. However, if you’re under 18 years old, you’ll need written consent from all of your parents or legal guardians.

Parents and guardians must fill out the Consent of Parents or Guardians to Marriage Form.

Where can I get married in Toronto?

You can get married anywhere in Toronto, as long as you have the permission of the owner of the property.

Can foreigners get married in Toronto?

Foreigners can get married in Toronto. There are no residency or citizenship requirements to get married here.

However, foreigners may need to apply for a visa to stay in Canada after their wedding. You should contact the Canadian embassy or consulate in your home country for more information.

How quickly can you get married in Toronto?

You can get married in Toronto as quickly as the next day if you have all of the required documents and make an appointment. The City of Toronto also offers same-day marriage licence appointments, but they are limited and must be booked in advance.

You can book an appointment online or by calling 416-392-2567. If you’re unable to get a same-day appointment, you can still get married in Toronto within a few days.

The City of Toronto issues marriage licences that are valid for three months, so you can apply for a licence and then schedule your wedding ceremony within that time frame.

How do you change your last name after marriage?

If you choose to legally change your last name, you can do so through ServiceOntario.

Even if you choose to change your surname after you get married, you’re not required to legally change it. This does not affect the name on your Ontario birth registration and birth certificate.

Remember to change all your identification documents to reflect the new last name, though.

Who can perform a marriage in Ontario?

There are two types of marriage officiants in Ontario: registered marriage officiants and civil marriage officiants.

Registered marriage officiants are typically religious leaders, such as priests, ministers, rabbis, and imams.

However, they can also be members of Indigenous communities who are authorised to perform marriages by their band, First Nation, Métis, or Inuit organisation or community.

On the other hand, civil marriage officiants are typically judges, justices of the peace, and municipal clerks. They can only perform marriages in a civil ceremony.

Take note that regardless of the type, you have to be authorised under Ontario’s Marriage Act to act as a marriage officiant.

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