Marriage Licences

Marriage Licence Basics:

Please be advised that no walk-in marriage licences will be issued.

Marriage Licences are the document that is signed during your ceremony. Without a marriage licence (or a banns document obtained from your church), you aren't legally married.

Please note the following prior to scheduling an appointment:

• Fees: The fee is $150.00 for a Marriage Licence and is payable by cash, debit or credit on the appointment date.
• Mandatory Information: You must have a ceremony arranged with a registered officiant in the Province of Ontario. You must know:
  
  • when is your intended date for the ceremony (must be within 90 days of your marriage licence appointment); 
  • where is your intended location for the ceremony (must be within Ontario); and
  • who will marry you, your officiant
    • If you do not have an officiant to conduct your ceremony, you may request a list of verified local area officiants who have provided their names to the City prior to booking your appointment. You may also consider a ceremony conducted by a Municipal Clerk at City Hall (see tab below)
• Validity Period: A Marriage Licence is only valid for ninety (90) days from the date of your appointment (some emergency related exceptions may apply). This means once you have your marriage licence, you have 90 days to get married. You cannot obtain a marriage licence if your intended date of your ceremony is more than 90 days from the date of your appointment. If you have to postpone your ceremony for any circumstance, contact the City Clerk's Office for options.
• Where else can I get a licence: A marriage licence may be obtained from almost any Lower or Single-Tier municipal office in Ontario for any ceremony held in Ontario. There is no requirement to obtain a marriage licence from the Municipality you live in, or the Municipality where the ceremony occurs.
• Where can I get married with a Marriage Licence: A marriage licence may be used anywhere in the Province of Ontario. An Ontario marriage licence may not be used for ceremonies held outside of Ontario (eg: a Caribbean/Mexico destination weddings).

Appointment Preparation:

To confirm your Marriage Licence Appointment you are required to upload the following documentation by Monday at 4:30pm prior to your appointment on a Friday afternoon (booked using link above). A link to the upload site will be emailed to you when you book your appointment. Failure to submit required documentation by the deadline before your appointment may result in the forfeiture of your appointment. You are also required to bring all the required documentation to you in-person appointment for visual verification.

1. A complete and signed Marriage Licence Application form (fillable) or Marriage Licence Application Form (simple) including:
   • The signatures of both you and your future spouse
   • Only including your legal parents listed on your birth certificate/registration. The application form allows applicants to list up to 4 legal parents.
   • Using your parents legal names as listed on their birth certificates (not existing married names). Double check that short-form names of your parents do not have a longer version on their birth certificates (eg: Bill vs William, Kathy vs Katherine)
   • Your Religion/Spirituality or Religious Denomination. If you have no religious affiliation, please write the word None in the box to verify to our issuers that that box has not been accidentally left blank.
2. Both applicants must provide two (2) original pieces of government-issued identification. One piece of identification must include a photo. Examples of government-issued identification:
   • valid driver's licence
   • valid passport
   • government-issued birth certificate,
     • including any change of name certificates (if applicable)
     • If a birth certificate is in a language other than English or French, include a translated copy together with an affidavit sworn by a certified translator.
   • valid Ontario Photo Card
   • record of immigrant landing
   • Canadian Citizenship Card
   • Health card is not a recommended form of identification
   • If only one person attends the appointment on behalf of both parties an original birth certificate or passport of the absent person must be one of the two pieces of ID of the person who is not in attendance at the appointment.
3. If either of you are a widow or widower, a copy of the death certificate for the deceased spouse will be required (if applicable).
4. If either of you were divorced within Canada, the original or court-certified copy of the 'Certificate of Divorce' will be required.  A certified copy of the certificate of divorce may be obtained from the court that granted the divorce. A 'Divorce Order' will not be accepted as proof of divorce.
   • If the applicant or the joint applicant was divorced outside of Canada authorization from the Ministry of Government Services will be required before a Marriage Licence can be obtained.  To obtain authorization from the Ministry the following documents would need to be sent to the Office of the Registrar General:
     • A completed Marriage Licence Application Form.
     • A Statement of Sole Responsibility for each applicable divorce signed by both parties of this marriage.
     • An original or court-certified copy (certified by the proper court officer in the jurisdiction the divorce or annulment was granted) of the divorce decree or annulment.  If the decree is in a language other than English or French, include a translated copy together with an affidavit sworn by a certified translator.
     • A legal opinion from an Ontario lawyer, addressed to both applicants to the marriage, giving reasons why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in the Province of Ontario. The Office of the Registrar General will fax a sample legal opinion letter to your lawyer if you call (807)-343-7492 or toll-free at 1-800-461-2156.
       • The Office of the Registrar General, Marriage Office, P.O. Box 4600, 189 Red River Rd. Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6L8
5. Both applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. Any applicant aged sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age will require the consent of both parents or all legal guardians.  A consent form is available from staff at the Clerk's Office at City Hall.

Appointment Day Specifics:

Please review the specifics for the day of your appointment:

1. Appointments will be held at City Hall at 26 Francis St. (This is not Old Lindsay Town Hall on Kent St. W.)
2. Don't forget to bring all original paperwork and ID with you (see above)
3. Payment of $150.00 can be made in person by cash, debit, or credit (2025 fee)
4. If only one person attends, remember to bring the ID of the other person (include a birth certificate or passport)
5. Appointments will last less than 15 minutes. You will sign the pre-prepared marriage licence at the appointment. Municipal staff will take a copy of the signed licence, and provide you with some basic information regarding your marriage licence.
6. Face coverings or protective masks may be worn during the appointment, however, municipal staff may ask you to temporarily remove your face covering to verify your ID

If you want more information about getting married in Ontario, visit the Service Ontario website, and if you have further questions please call 705-324-9411 or email the Clerks Office