Marriage Licence

When filling in the marriage licence application, please remember the following:

• Enter all legal names: last, first and middle.
• Both persons must fill in the marriage licence application and sign the form.
• Further information on identification needed and previous divorce is included in the link below.

A marriage licence may be used for a ceremony anywhere in the Province of Ontario and it is valid for up to 90 days.

The cost of a marriage licence is $179.00 (As of January 1, 2024)

See Town of Parry Sound Marriage Licence Requirements for full details.

The Deputy Division Registrar issues marriage licences and keeps a record of all marriage licences issued locally. Once the marriage ceremony has taken place the officiant who married the couple will forward the completed marriage licence  to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay for registration.

Questions about Vital Statistics registrations? Contact:
The Office of the Registrar General,
189 Red River Road, PO Box 4600,
Thunder Bay, On P7B 6L8
Telephone: 1-800-461-2156
Teletypewriter: 416-325-3408
Fax: 1-807-343-7459

If you were divorced in Canada, you must bring official proof of the divorce when you apply for a marriage licence. This can be the original or court-certified copy of one of three documents: the final decree; the final judgment; a certificate of divorce.

If you were divorced in another country, or your marriage dissolved or annulled outside of Canada, the following are required to be sent for approval:

• The completed marriage licence application, signed by both parties
• Statement of Sole Responsibility for each divorce, signed by both applicants and a witness
• An original, court certified copy or photocopy of the divorce decree or annulment, certified by the proper court office in the jurisdiction the divorce/annulment was granted. If in a language other than English or France as translation with an affidavit sworn by the translator.
• The legal opinion of an Ontario lawyer, addressed to both applicants, stating that the divorce would be recognized as valid in the province of Ontario and giving reasons why it should be recognized in Ontario. Sample lawyer letters are available by calling 1-800-461-2156

Note: You must send the completed forms to the Office of the Registrar General, 189 Red River Road, PO Box 4600, Thunder Bay, On P7B 6L8. This may take up to 4 weeks to approve. You will receive an approval letter from the Office of the Registrar General to present to the municipality to then have a marriage licence may be issued.

Your marriage is not registered in Ontario if it took place outside of the province. Your marriage will be recorded in the area or country where the marriage licence was issued. If you need a marriage certificate to prove you were married you will have to contact the office that issued your licence. The Office of the Registrar General located in Thunder Bay will not have any record of the marriage.

The Town of Parry Sound does not perform civil marriages at the town office.

You can apply for a marriage certificate 6 to 8 weeks after your wedding. You must send your application form to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay and it may take several weeks to get back by mail.