Marriages

Steps to Obtaining a Marriage License

1. Review the marriage license requirements (see below).
2. Visit Service Ontario’s Online Marriage License Application Portal  or visit Town Hall Offices to obtain a paper copy of the marriage license application.
3. Once the completed application is submitted you will be contacted by the Clerk’s Department to schedule an appointment to pick up your marriage license and pay the required fee of $125 (Debit and Cash accepted).
4. Contact clerks@ingersoll.ca or call 519-485-0120 with questions or concerns.

To issue the license we will require:

1. A completed marriage license application as submitted via the online portal or in-person at the Town’s Administrative Office.
2. Two current pieces of identification for each partner * See acceptable forms of ID below.
3. Original divorce documents, if applicable (Certificate of Divorce Form 36B).

Minimum Age to Marry

You must be at least 16 years old to get married in Ontario.

Under 18 years old: If you are 16 or 17 years of age and wish to marry, you will need written consent from your parents or legal guardians. You can obtain the required consent form from the Ingersoll Town Hall Office.

Required Fee

The fee for a marriage license in Ingersoll is $125.00.

Payments accepted: cash and debit.

A marriage license is valid for three 90 days from the date of issue.

Link to the Online Marriage License Application Portal

Each partner must submit (2) pieces of acceptable identification (ID):

Identification must be VALID and ORIGINAL (Photocopies will not be Accepted).

The name on both pieces of your ID must be the same

The first name and last names must match on the two pieces of ID you are presenting. If your ID is not in English, a written translation from a certified translator is required.

Acceptable Identification:

• A Birth Certificate and/or Valid Passport and one other piece of id. One piece must be photo id.
• (If you have both your Birth certificate and passport no other identification is needed.)
• Driver’s Licence
• Ontario Photo Card
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (Canadian Citizenship Card)
• Canadian Government Refugee Travel Document
• Conditional Release Identification Card
• United States Green Card
• Native Status Card
• Record of Immigration Landing
• Permanent Residency Card
• Citizenship Card from any country
• Identity Card from any country
• Nexus Card
• Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC)
• Possession & Acquisition Licence (PAL)

NOT Accepted as Identification:

• Ontario Health Card
• Social Insurance Number (SIN) Card

Divorced in Canada

You will need to bring official proof of the divorce with you when you apply for a marriage license. This can be the original or a court-certified copy of one of two documents:

• A Decree of Absolute (or a court-certified Copy of the Decree of Absolute) if divorced before 1986, or
• A Certificate of Divorce, required if the divorce took place after 1986.

A Final Judgment or Divorce Order is not Acceptable.

The Divorce Order (Divorce Judgment) is not proof that you are legally divorced because there is usually a 31 day waiting period after the divorce has been granted before it will take effect. The Court will not issue a Divorce Certificate until the waiting period has elapsed and the divorce has taken effect.

Foreign divorces - This process cannot be carried out by The Town of Ingersoll

If you were divorced outside of Canada, you will need to provide certain documents to prove that you are no longer married. The Registrar general needs to validate these documents. This process can take up to 4 weeks.

You will need to send the following documents to the Registrar General's Office in Thunder Bay:

• Marriage license application form: completed and signed - Application Form
• Statement of sole responsibility: for each divorce (signed by both people who are planning to get married and a witness)
• Legal opinion letter: from an Ontario lawyer, addressed to both people who plan to get married, giving reasons why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in Ontario
• Divorce decree or annulment: an original or court-certified copy in English or French. If the decree is in another language, you will need to include a translated copy and an affidavit sworn by a certified translator

Note: Completed Foreign Divorce Authorizations to marry are sent to applicants by courier. It is important that your full mailing address including suite/unit/apartment and buzzer number is included on the marriage license application form, or the courier package cannot be delivered and returned to Service Ontario.

For clarification or assistance please call, email or visit the Town’s Administrative Offices.

Town Hall: 130 Oxford St. 2^nd Floor Ingersoll, ON

Telephone: 519-485-0120

Email: clerks@ingersoll.ca

Marriage licenses are issued between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.                            

A civil marriage ceremony is a non-religious ceremony performed by a government or civil official that meets all the legal requirements of the province of Ontario.

A civil ceremony offers a simple, non-denominational option for those who not wish to have a large service or reception. Civil ceremonies last approximately 15 minutes and are performed by the Clerk or other appointed designate in Council Chambers located at 130 Oxford St. 2^nd floor in Ingersoll. Ceremonies must be booked in advance, and the couple must meet with the officiant at least six days in advance of the ceremony. Ceremony times  are based on availability of officiant's, and are held Monday to Thursday during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (holidays excluded) for a fee of $250.00 plus HST. Witnesses can be provided at a fee of $25 per witness plus HST.

please note: A request for a civil ceremony must be received at least fourteen days prior to the date of the proposed ceremony.

For further information please refer to the Town’s Civil Marriage Package. 

Getting a Marriage Certificate

A marriage certificate is the legal record of a marriage. It lists the date and place of the marriage, and names of the people who were married.

You need this document to:

1. show legal proof you are married
2. apply for certain social benefits
3. settle an estate
4. change a last name

A Record of Solemnization of Marriage is not the same thing as a Marriage Certificate.

Before you can get a marriage certificate, a marriage needs to be registered.

The official who performed the marriage will do this by sending a complete and signed marriage licence to the Office of the Registrar.

To order a marriage certificate after your wedding go to www.serviceontario.ca 

Changing Your Last Name After Marriage

It is not required that you change your last name after marriage. Should you or your spouse wish to change your/their last name go to the Service Ontario website for more information:

https://www.ontario.ca/government/changing-your-last-name-just-married.