ServiceOntario – the only government-authorized source for Ontario marriage certificates. It’s safer, cheaper and faster.
A marriage certificate is a document containing the details of a marriage performed in Ontario. You can order a copy or multiple copies online if the marriage is registered in Ontario. You can use this certificate to change your name, process a divorce, or as a record of family history.
Getting married? Learn more about the forms you might need and how to get a marriage licence.
A marriage certificate is a record of a marriage. It lists the date and place of the marriage, and names of the people who were married.
A record of solemnization of marriage is not the same as a marriage certificate.
Before you can get a marriage certificate, your marriage needs to be registered. The officiant who performed the marriage will send your completed and signed marriage licence to ServiceOntario so the marriage can be registered. You can order a marriage certificate about 6-8 weeks after this happens.
If you are unsure if you need a marriage certificate or certified copy of marriage registration, please check with the Ministry, government agency, or person requesting the document before you order.
The married couple, children of the married couple, parents of the parties to the marriage or an authorized representative acting on behalf of any entitled individual can apply for a marriage certificate.
Only the married couple can apply for a certified copy of the marriage registration unless a court order allows another person to apply.
If one of the parties in a marriage is deceased, the surviving party, the next of kin including the parents of either party, children of the married couple and siblings of either party or an authorized representative acting on behalf of any entitled individual may apply for a marriage certificate or a certified copy of the marriage registration. If all the next of kin are deceased, an extended next of kin may apply.
Extended next of kin relationships are:
Legally authorized representatives acting on behalf of these individuals are entitled to apply. Authorized representatives will be required to provide proof of authorization.
To order a marriage certificate you need:
There may be delays as your order is processed due to higher than normal volumes of requests. We will do our best to complete your order in a timely manner and apologize for any inconvenience.
If you have an urgent request, please provide proof of urgency.
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Note: The status of your online application becomes available 1 business day after you submit it. If you did not receive a payment receipt, please contact ServiceOntario after 1 full business day. If you’ve had trouble applying online and have not entered any payment information you will need to start the application process again.
There may be delays as your order is processed due to higher than normal volumes of requests. We will do our best to complete your order in a timely manner and apologize for any inconvenience.
If you have an urgent request, please provide proof of urgency.
Note: personal cheque payments are no longer accepted at our retail locations for any vital events transactions.
15 business days plus delivery by Canada Post
No service guarantees apply
5 business days including delivery by courier
No service guarantees apply
15 business days plus delivery by Canada Post
No service guarantees apply
5 business days including delivery by courier
No service guarantees apply
15 business days plus delivery by Canada Post
No Service Guarantee
To replace a lost, stolen or damaged marriage certificate you can use the online application to order a replacement marriage certificate.
You can send a request to the Office of the Registrar General for a registration amendment application form to change information on a marriage registration. The amended change will be reflected on any marriage certificate or certified copy of the marriage registration you apply for in the future. The marriage must be currently registered in Ontario to make a change.
You can submit a request for a registration amendment form online or by phone, and the form will be mailed to you.
You can request a search if you do not know the exact date of marriage.
A search will verify that the marriage took place and has been registered with the province of Ontario.
You will receive a letter in the mail giving you information that matches the criteria within the years you searched. If no registration of a marriage is found, you will still receive a letter stating that no registration was found.
If you live in Ontario and are planning to get married outside Ontario or Canada, you may need to order a search that lists any previous marriage you have had in the Province of Ontario. You should check with the province, territory, state, or country where you are getting married to determine if this is needed and what years would need to be searched.
To request a search you can use the same online service as a certificate application but you will select the search option and indicate for how many years you would like to search.
Note: The online service guarantee offered for a certificate is not offered for a search and there is no emergency service offered for a search.
Older events, such as deaths prior to 1991, marriages prior to 1991, and births prior to 1930 may not be in electronic format.
When applying for a death certificate prior to 1991, marriage certificate prior to 1991 or a birth certificate prior to 1930, it can take up to an extra 6 to 8 weeks for the registration to be converted into an electronic format before processing can be completed.
You can check the status of your online application 1 business day after you submit it.
If you are unsure that your online application was successfully submitted, please contact ServiceOntario on the next business day.
The ServiceOntario centre at:
47 Sheppard Avenue East, unit 417, 4 th Floor
Toronto, ON
M2N 5N1
For this, you will also need to bring:
Certificates are delivered to you within 5 business days
Money order, Visa, Mastercard
Note: personal cheque payments are no longer accepted at our retail locations for any vital events transactions, including regular, emergency and expedited services.
In person at the following ServiceOntario centres:
Toronto 47 Sheppard Avenue East, unit 417, 4 th Floor
Toronto, ON
M2N 5N1 Ottawa 110 Laurier Avenue West, 1 st Floor
Ottawa, ON
K1P 1J1
Completed applications can be mailed to:
ServiceOntario
189 Red River Road, PO Box 4600
Thunder Bay, ON
P7B 6L8
Cheque, money order, Visa, Mastercard
Anyone registered with the Office of the Registrar General as a marriage officiant and anyone authorized under the Marriage Act can perform a marriage in Ontario.
To qualify for an emergency or expedited marriage certificate or for an expedited marriage search, the marriage must be registered in Ontario and you must provide proof of urgency along with your complete and correct applications forms and fee.
Proof of urgency may include:
To submit an urgent request for a marriage certificate, you can:
Note: Do not include credit card information in your application form. Once you have completed your form, you will be directed to a payment page where you can submit your payment information and complete your request.
This service is only available for urgent requests.
If your request is not urgent, you may order a marriage certificate through the online certificate application or submit your application by mail.
