Red Tape Made Easy - Toronto & Area Wedding Paperwork Tips

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COST: The Licence fee in the City of Toronto is $130. This fee can be paid by cash, money order, certified cheque, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Debit Card. The City will not refund marriage licence fees once a licence has been issued. Licences are valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

WHERE: Marriage licences are issued Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:15 pm at:

City Hall

Etobicoke Civic Centre

North York Civic Centre

Scarborough Civic Centre

Limited services at:

York Civic Centre has application forms and information only

East York Civic Centre – by appointment only. Please call 416-392-7036.

Details on hours and locations

more information

HELP: To Download your Marriage Licence Application-Marriage Act-Form 3 (edition 2004/03) click here

OR visit the Ministry of Government Services web site by clicking here

good to know...

Couples planning to be married in Ontario are required to obtain a marriage licence. A licence is valid anywhere in Ontario for 90 days from the date of issue. There is no waiting period between the date of issue of the marriage licence and the date of marriage. The Marriage Licence Application form must be completed and signed by both parties to the marriage (the bride and the bridegroom). One party to the marriage (either the bride or the groom) may submit the completed application form to the City Clerk's Office in order to obtain the Marriage Licence, provided that one of the following documents is submitted in place of the absent party: (a) the absent party's original birth certificate; (b) the absent party's valid passport; (c) an Affidavit of Age (available from the City Clerk's Office) completed and signed by the absent party and notarized.

- information gathered from Ontario and City Government websites. To the best of our knowledge, this information is correct, however please contact your local City Clerk to confirm details.

The marriage license application process is short and sweet, but you'll need to know the right details. Your best bet is to visit the registrars office at city hall with your hubby. Download the form to find out what information you'll need to know/bring for your license application.

From the government... A marriage licence or the publication of banns is required before a couple can get married in Ontario. To apply for a marriage licence, contact your local municipal office. If you are being married in a religious ceremony, you may be eligible to be married by a publication of banns. Speak to the clergy of your church for more information. For residents getting married in another province or territory in Canada, you must contact the province's or territory's vital statistics office for information.

If you are living outside Canada or are from another province, contact the municipality in which you intend to get married for more information.

If you are planning to get married in another country, you may require a Marriage Letter (also known as a Search Letter or Letter of Non-Impediment) confirming that there is no record of a marriage for you registered in Ontario. You may obtain this letter by applying to the Office of the Registrar General. To get married in another country, you must contact the country's embassy or consulate for more information.

If this is not your first trip to the alter, if you were divorced in Canada, you must contact your local municipal office for information on getting a marriage licence. If you were divorced outside of Canada, you will have to obtain an authorization to purchase a marriage licence.

If you plan to serve or sell alcohol at your wedding reception, you may need a Special Occasion Permit from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). You can get product information and a listing of locations from the LCBO website.

A Marriage Certificate proves that a marriage has taken place. The province, territory or country where the marriage is performed issues the certificate. In Ontario, Marriage Certificates are issued by the Office of the Registrar General.

For information regarding changing your name, contact the Office of the Registrar General.

(A big "Thank You!" goes to the Government of Ontario for making downloadable forms for easy applications AND for explaining in layman's terms what is needed to be done in a way that normal people can understand! You can visit the Ontario Government Marriage Licence Page by clicking here).