Any person who is at least 18 years of age may marry. No person under 16 years of age may marry. Any person who is 16-17 years of age (other than a widow, widower, or divorced person) may marry with the written consent of his/her legal guardian. If any person whose consent is required is unavailable or refuses consent, an application may be made to a judge, in Canada, to dispense with consent.

A person whose previous marriage has been dissolved or annulled will require:

If the marriage has been dissolved or annulled in Canada, the original or court certified copy of the final decree dissolving or annulling the marriage; or if the marriage was dissolved or annulled in a jurisdiction other than Canada, the applicants must obtain authorization from the Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations Province of Ontario, before a marriage license may be issued. To obtain this authorization, the applicants, or a lawyer representing them, must submit the following to:

THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL

PO BOX 4600, 189 RED RIVER ROAD

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO P7B 6L8

A completed marriage license application signed by both applicants.

A copy of the decree of divorce or annulment (certified by the proper court officer in the jurisdiction the divorce/annulment was granted) or sealed by the court. If the decree is in a language other than English or French, include a certified translation. A statement of Sole Responsibility for each divorce signed by both applicants. Blank affidavits are available from the issuer of Marriage Licenses.

Foreign Residents - U.S.A., U. K. etc.. Must also include;

A legal opinion of a Ontario lawyer, addressed to both applicants, giving reasons why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in the Province of Ontario. Where a spouse has died, proof of death of the spouse must be provided if death occurred outside of Ontario.

Our chapel lawyer is Bev Hodgson who can be reached at:

1-905-354-1600 or, bevh@bevhodgson.com

HOW TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE

A license to marry may be obtained from any Issuer of Marriage Licenses at a Municipal Clerk's Office in most municipalities in Ontario. Both parties must complete and sign an Application Form. However, if both applicants are not able to come in to obtain the Marriage License, one person may bring in the completed Application Form signed by both parties along with the Birth Certificate, or Passport of the absent party . A marriage license is valid for use anywhere in Ontario and expires 3 months after the date of issue.