If you were married in Ontario and need proof for a name update, benefits, immigration paperwork, or a divorce application, you’ll usually need an official Ontario marriage certificate (issued by the Office of the Registrar General). The biggest “gotcha” is timing: you can apply any time, but you won’t receive a certificate until the marriage is registered after the ceremony.
Marriage certificate vs marriage licence vs “record of solemnization”
These get mixed up all the time:
- Marriage licence: what you get before the wedding (needed to legally marry in Ontario).
- Record of solemnization / statement from the officiant: what you may get after the ceremony as a keepsake/proof the ceremony happened, but it’s not the official government certificate.
- Marriage certificate (Ontario): the official proof of marriage issued after the province registers the marriage.
If a form asks for “official proof,” assume they mean the marriage certificate (or sometimes a more detailed “certified copy of the marriage registration”).
When you can order an Ontario marriage certificate
Your officiant must send the completed marriage documents to the province so the marriage can be registered. That registration step can take weeks, and some public guidance says up to about 10 weeks before everything is in the system.
A practical rule: if your ceremony was very recent, wait until you’re in the 8–12 week range before you expect the certificate to be issuable (especially in peak wedding season).
What Ontario Marriage certificate costs and how long delivery takes
Ontario offers different service speeds for certificates ordered online, commonly shown as:
- Regular service: about 15 business days (plus mail delivery time)
- Premium service: about 5 business days (often with courier delivery)
The base fee for a standard marriage certificate is commonly listed as $15, with higher fees for faster service and for more detailed document types.
Example: If you need proof for a deadline in ~2 weeks, premium service can be the difference between “maybe” and “likely,” but you’ll pay more. If your deadline is a month away, regular service is usually fine—as long as the marriage is already registered.
What information you’ll need (so your order doesn’t bounce)
Have these ready:
- Both spouses’ legal names (as on the licence)
- Date of marriage
- Place of marriage (city/town in Ontario)
- Officiant information (if you have it)
- Your mailing address and payment method
If you’re missing details (common with older family-history requests), a more detailed document may help because it can include additional registration information—but it may cost more.
Step-by-step: how to get your Ontario marriage certificate
1) Wait for registration (this is the slow part)
If you apply immediately after the wedding, your application can sit “in process” until the marriage registration is completed. Public guidance commonly points to a multi-week registration window.
2) Choose what you’re ordering
Most people should order a Marriage Certificate (basic proof). Consider a certified copy of the marriage registration only if you’ve been specifically asked for the long form / detailed record (or you’re doing genealogy/records work).
3) Apply online (most common)
Ontario’s official guidance is to order through ServiceOntario (online is typically the fastest route).
4) If you can’t apply online, use paper options
Some guidance notes you can apply by mail or fax, and that in-person service is limited (for example, guidance has referenced Toronto and Ottawa only).
5) Track and follow up if needed
If you’re past the posted processing window and your order hasn’t moved, contact ServiceOntario support. The City of Toronto’s marriage services page lists ServiceOntario phone numbers for certificate questions.
Many people also update coverage after marriage (home/tenant/life), so here’s a practical starting point: insurance brokerages in OntarioCommon problems
“It says ‘processing’ forever”
Most often: the marriage is not registered yet. If you’re still inside the 8–12 week window after the ceremony, that’s usually the reason.
“I need proof right now for a name change / benefits”
Short-term: use the record/statement from the officiant as temporary proof if the organization accepts it—but many won’t treat it as the official certificate. Long-term: you’ll still need the official marriage certificate once issued.
“My marriage happened outside Ontario”
Ontario can’t issue an Ontario marriage certificate for an out-of-province/out-of-country marriage. You’ll need the certificate from the jurisdiction where the marriage was registered.
If you’re ordering for family history (older records)
For older registrations, Ontario’s Archives of Ontario holds many historical vital records (with cutoffs by year), and notes that certified copies issued by the Archivist can be used for legal/government purposes in place of original certificates in many contexts.
If your situation requires federal record updates, this guide explains the SIN application process in Ontario: how to apply for a SIN in Ontario.
FAQ
How long after my wedding can I get my marriage certificate in Ontario?
Common public guidance says the marriage registration step can take up to ~10 weeks, and some municipalities advise ordering around 8–12 weeks after the ceremony.
How much is an Ontario marriage certificate?
The standard marriage certificate fee is commonly listed as $15, with higher fees for faster service and certain document types.
Is the record/statement from my officiant the same as a marriage certificate?
No. It may be useful as temporary proof, but it’s not the official government marriage certificate.
Where do I contact if I have questions about my order?
ServiceOntario handles certificate ordering; City of Toronto’s page lists ServiceOntario contact numbers for marriage certificate questions.
Official Resources:
ServiceOntario: How to get a copy of an Ontario marriage certificate
