My posts so far this week have been about the process of obtaining a marriage license and having the proper ID ready and in place before heading down to City Hall. But there are a couple more things you need to know. The first is: Who can get married? and the second, Who can officiate at a marriage?

Who can get married? In Ontario any person who has reached the age of majority (18) can apply for a marriage license and be married in this province provided there is no lawful cause to prevent the solemnization of marriage (e.g. not being divorced). If you are 16 or 17 years of age you must have the appropriate written consent of both parents in order to obtain a marriage license. Here is the link to the Office of the Registrar General (Ontario) Marriage License Application form so you can complete the form before heading to your City Hall or municipal office.

And finally, who is allowed to solemnize marriages in the Province of Ontario? Any licensed religious official can perform both religious and civil marriage ceremonies and a provincial judge, justice of the peace, municipal clerk or marriage commissioner appointed by a city or township can perform a civil ceremony. Most municipalities will have a list of licensed officiants or Niagara Falls Wedding World would be pleased to provide an officiant throughout the Golden Horseshoe area.

With your license, an officiant and two witnesses, you have everything you need to get married! I hope this information has been helpful! If you are unsure of anything regarding a marriage license contact your local city hall or Lydia Picca at Niagara Falls City Hall:905-356-7521 ext. 4283 or email her at lpicca@niagarafalls.ca

A Christmas Welcome!

Coming up next week!   Have you ever dreamed about getting married in Niagara Falls at Christmas or New Year’s? Although it’s only a month away it can still be done and next week I will have all kinds of information to help you whether you are planning on getting married in the Falls or having your honeymoon here. Niagara Falls is all decked out for the upcoming holidays and a fabulous place for a wedding! Looking forward to seeing you back next week!

All the best! Jordin

Not only do some couples arrive unprepared to pay the fee to obtain a marriage license but they also forget their identification. So what is required to obtain a marriage license in the Province of Ontario? Again, just as fees vary from city hall to city hall, so do ID requirements. For example, the City of Hamilton, the City of Niagara Falls and the City of Toronto all have similar but slightly different ID requirements and options as will all municipalities. Check on-line for ID requirements before heading down to City Hall for your marriage license and remember, no photocopies, original documents in good condition only. A current passport and driver’s license are always a safe bet!

Another surprise can be waiting for you. If either applicant has been previously married they must bring their original divorce certificate with them. And again, no photocopies! You must have the original and if you can’t find it or your ex destroyed it, you must head down to the court house and get a court certified copy. Again, this is not free and obtaining a replacement divorce certificate can take time. And please make sure that you are divorced! You’d be surprised how many people don’t realized they are still married, or that being separated isn’t the same thing as being divorced! 

One of the things that breaks my heart is when people come from overseas -thinking they’ll run away and surprise everyone back home in Germany but . . . the bride or groom has been previously married and is divorced. If you are coming to Ontario from the United States or any other country with plans on getting married here be aware that ALL divorces granted outside of Canada MUST be reviewed by a Canadian lawyer before you can get an Ontario marriage license. It’s a bit complicated so best if you go to our website for all the details and helpful information.

I hope I have provided some helpful tips for you. Tomorrow I’ll finish up posting on marriage licenses. With all the proper identification in place to obtain an Ontario marriage license, I know the rest of your plans will go smoothly as well!

All the best! Jordin

I recommend that the moment you start to plan your wedding you make sure that you can get married.  I’ve seen so many couples drive down to Niagara Falls on a whim thinking they can get married – because that’s how it happens on television – only to be very disappointed when they arrive to discover that they must get a marriage licence before any marriage can take place.

Or …

You dream about the flowers and fantasize about the cake. You spend hours trying on dresses and sitting in the hairdresser’s chair but all of this will not only be pointless but also a waste of time and money if you don’t have your marriage licence.  Next to having arrangements made for an officiant to solemnize your marriage, getting a licence is the most important part of your wedding.  There is nothing you can do without a licence. You can eat the cake and dance the dance but you cannot get married without one!

Marriage licences are good for 90 days but you must still plan ahead when getting one. A licence can be obtained from any city hall or municipal office in Ontario but, they are not free and every municipality charges a different fee! I’ve heard of fees ranging in price from $80-150. So don’t get caught off guard by arriving at city hall and getting a shock with the cost of the license. Call or check on-line to see how much your city hall or municipal office charges and don’t forget to check on the hours of operation for the city hall or municipal office. They are not open on the weekends!

Tomorrow I’ll talk about the ID you’ll need to obtain a license and other hidden surprises!

Jordin