Marriage Licence: An authority under which a marriage may be performed. A marriage licence is obtained by the couple seeking to be married from a municipality in Ontario that issues marriage licences (i.e., Issuer) and is valid for use anywhere in Ontario but not outside of Ontario. The marriage licence expires three months after the date of issue. Marriage Certificate: An official record containing the details of a marriage performed in Ontario that can be purchased after the marriage has been registered with the Office of the Registrar General. Note: The 'Record of Solemnization of Marriage' portion of the marriage licence given to the couple following the marriage ceremony is a souvenir of the marriage and not an official certificate. •

A legal ceremony performed in Ontario by an authorized Marriage Officiant (also referred to as a “solemnizer”) that results in a lawful marriage. You can only perform a marriage in Ontario if you are authorized under Ontario’s Marriage Act as a marriage officiant. There are two categories of marriage officiants in Ontario: registered marriage officiant civil marriage officiants For Ontario, you can also access the online registry of officiants here.

To get married in Ontario, you will have to obtain a marriage licence through the municipality (e.g. City of Ottawa). In order to get a licence you must complete a Marriage Licence Application: An application must be completed by both parties to the intended marriage and submitted to an Issuer (eg City of Ottawa), along with any required supporting documentation, to obtain a valid marriage licence for a marriage that will take place in Ontario. I can help you get a licence at a cheaper price-just ask me.

For a civil (non-religious) marriage, you can get married in a local city hall, municipal office or town hall by an authorized officiant. Usually, this person will be a judge, justice of the peace or municipal clerk.

In Ontario, it can take up to 12 weeks to process the marriage licence and register your marriage. After the waiting period, you can easily apply online here or by mail. ​

There must be two witnesses physically present at the marriage ceremony. The witnesses must understand what they are witnessing and sign the marriage licence and the marriage register.

No. The Marriage Act requires every Ontario marriage to be performed in the physical presence of the parties to the marriage, at least two witnesses, and the Marriage Officiant. This makes a total of five individuals that must be physically present at the marriage ceremony. The individuals who are present at the marriage ceremony are the persons who are required to sign the necessary documents. Other guests may attend virtually. ​

As your officiant, I will be on location at least 30 minutes before your ceremony.

I travel within the Ottawa/Kemptville areas. I do, however, charge a small fee (.70 cent per KM each way) for anywhere beyond 25KM of my home in Central Ottawa. ​