Frequently Asked Questions

One tiny piece of paperwork before the big I do

• Apply through an Ontario municipal office (online or in person)
• Bring two pieces of government-issued ID each (one with photo)
• Your licence is valid for 90 days — plenty of time to make it official
• Bring it along to your ceremony for signing with 2 witnesses                                          (witnesses must be over 18 yrs old)
• After the celebration, your must legally officiant complete and mail it for you

Once it’s registered, you can order your Marriage Certificate — a keepsake for all the chapters still to come. 

Your Marriage Certificate is the official proof that you’re married — and the document you’ll need for name changes, passports, banking, insurance, and all the grown-up life admin that follows “I do.”

What to expect:

• Your officiant sends in your signed paperwork after the ceremony
   
• You can apply right away for your Marriage Certificate through the Government of Ontario. It will put you in queue until they have processed your license. https://services.ontario.ca/oca-web/main 
• The government says 6–8 weeks 
• Reality says 3–5 months (sometimes even up to a year) 
• This is normal. Annoying. But normal.
• If you are divorced, you will need a divorce certificate to be able to apply
   

Hot tip: You are legally married once we sign and perform the verbal elements. So in meantime, apply, pour a glass of wine, and promptly forget about it until it magically shows up in the mail. If you don't apply, they will not notify you that you license has been registered! 

Short answer: right after you say “I do.” 

You are legally married the moment:

• Your ceremony is performed by a licensed officiant 
• The required legal wording is spoken out loud (yes, words matter!) 
• The documents are signed by you, your witnesses, and your officiant

From that moment on — congratulations — you’re officially, legally, undeniably married 

If you’re heading off on your honeymoon (or a mini-moon, or a “we’re-just-gone-for-the-weekend” escape), bring your Record of Solemnization with you.

Pro tip:
I place it in a clearly labelled envelope and tuck it safely into your card box so you know exactly where to find it.

Wave that baby around
Hotels, airlines, and restaurants love a just married moment — and while it’s not a legal document for name changes, it’s often enough to score free upgrades, bubbly, desserts, and extra love

Because if there’s ever a time to milk the “newlywed” status… it’s now