Marriage Licence, Officiants, and Certificates: What Toronto Couples Need to Know Before and After the Wedding

Marriage Licence, Officiants, and Certificates: What Toronto Couples Need to Know Before and After the Wedding

You're finalizing your vendor team, crafting your timeline, and dreaming up every last personal detail — but don’t forget one of the most important parts of getting married: making it legal.

In Ontario, there are a few key steps you need to take before and after your wedding day to ensure your marriage is officially recognized by the province. It’s not the most romantic part of planning, but it’s one of the most essential. This guide breaks it all down for you! From hiring the right officiant to what that paper you signed on the day actually means (spoiler: it’s not your marriage certificate).

Whether you’re weeks out or just starting your planning journey, here’s what you need to know:

Getting Your Marriage Licence

Before you can get legally married in Ontario, you’ll need to apply for a marriage licence. This is the legal document that gives your officiant permission to marry you. You can apply for one at any local city hall or municipal office, and most couples pick it up about 2–3 months before their wedding day.

You’ll need:

• Two pieces of government-issued ID for each person (e.g., driver’s license, passport)
• The $145 application fee (may vary depending on the city)
• To apply in person (one of you can apply on behalf of both)

💍 If either of you were previously married, bring your original divorce certificate or final decree absolute. Photocopies or digital versions aren’t accepted, and this step can’t be skipped, it’s required by law.

Once issued, your licence is valid for 90 days, so just make sure your wedding falls within that window.

Why You (Probably) Need to Hire an Officiant

There’s been a growing trend, especially among modern, creative couples, to have a friend or family member “officiate” their ceremony. And honestly? We love that. It’s meaningful, personal, and makes your ceremony feel so much more you.

But here’s the part that often gets missed:

In Ontario, only an authorized officiant can legally marry you.

That means even if your best friend delivers the most heartfelt ceremony, unless they’re licensed by the province, your marriage isn’t official. Many couples don’t realize this until after the wedding, and by then, you’ll need to re-sign the paperwork (and possibly have another ceremony) to make it legal.

What’s the fix?

You can absolutely still have a loved one “officiate, " just hire a licensed officiant to quietly handle the legal side. Many offer a “signing-only” option where they handle the paperwork in a quick, private moment before or after your ceremony. It’s low-key, inexpensive, and saves you from future headaches.

A great officiant won’t just show up on the day. They’ll walk you through the legal side, help file your documents correctly, and ensure you have everything needed for a stress-free process.

Your officiant is the one who will:

• Ensure you’ve met all legal requirements
• Guide you through the paperwork
• Submit your signed marriage licence to the province after the ceremony

📝 Important: You don’t have to submit anything yourself after the wedding, your officiant handles that step.

So while your officiant might not be the first vendor on your mind, they’re one of the most important, because without them, your marriage isn’t legally binding.

What You Sign on Your Wedding Day (and What It Means)

There’s often confusion about the documents involved, so here’s a quick breakdown:

📄 Marriage Licence

This is the legal document you pick up before your wedding, and the one your officiant submits to the Office of the Registrar General after the ceremony. This is what officially registers your marriage with the province.

🖋 Record of Solemnization of Marriage

This is the decorative piece of paper your officiant and witnesses sign on your wedding day. It looks official, and you can absolutely use it to score some upgrades on your honeymoon (seriously, show it off at hotels and restaurants!).

But it’s not a legal document. You can’t use it to change your name or update your government ID.

📬 Marriage Certificate

This is the official proof that your marriage has been registered. You’ll need to apply for it yourself (it’s not automatically sent), and it typically takes 6–12 weeks after your wedding date.

You can apply online here:

👉 https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-get-copy-ontario-marriage-certificate-online

You’ll have the option of choosing:

• Short Form ($15 CAD), great for general proof
• Long Form/Certified Copy ($22 CAD), best if you’re changing your name or need detailed legal documentation

Most couples go with the long form to be safe. You can order both if you like!

⏳ You can typically apply for your certificate about 6–8 weeks after the wedding. Once your marriage has been registered by your officiant.

tl;dr

• Don’t wait until after the wedding to look into this, sort your licence and officiant ahead of time
• Apply for your marriage certificate as soon as you can post-wedding. It won’t be sent until your marriage is registered, but at least your request will be on file
• Choose a licensed officiant, even if your “ceremony” is led by someone close to you
• Keep a copy of your Record of Solemnization for your travel wallet, you never know where a “just married” moment might get you something extra

Getting married in Ontario involves a bit of paperwork, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right officiant and a little prep, you’ll have everything you need to make your marriage legal, and start this new chapter with confidence.

Final Thoughts

As a bride myself, I totally get how easy it is to push this part to the bottom of the list. Between mood boards, fittings, and vendor emails, legal paperwork can feel like the least exciting task, but it’s also one of the most important.

Getting your marriage licence, hiring a licensed officiant, and applying for your certificate are the behind-the-scenes steps that turn your dream day into something officially recognized by the province (and your honeymoon suite, if you play your cards right 😉).

So don’t stress! Just start early, double-check your documents, and ask your officiant any lingering questions. Once it’s handled, you can get back to the fun stuff knowing everything is locked in.

Check out these posts next for planning tips and WCC breakdowns made just for Toronto brides like you.

What is a Wedding Content Creator, and Do You Need One?

Day-of vs. Month-of Coordination in Toronto: What Brides Need to Know (and Why It Matters)

Should You Tip Your Wedding Vendors? An Honest Guide for Toronto Couples

Cheers,

Francesca

Note: All information is accurate as of the time of posting. Be sure to double-check the Ontario government website or your local city hall for the most current details, especially around fees and application processes.