Legal requirements regarding Weddings in Ontario

To be married in Ontario, couples must obtain a marriage license from any Municipal Office Clerk. A marriage application form must be completed and signed by both parties to the marriage.Down load a copy of the application here.

• There are no residency requirements for the issuance of a marriage license
• A license is valid for use anywhere in Ontario within three months after the date of issue
• In the event one of the partners is divorced and remarrying, legal proof of the separation must be provided. It is advised that the partner concerned consult a lawyer in Ontario before proceeding with the ceremony to confirm the legalities. If you plan to be married and spend your honeymoon at Woodland Echoes, we will provide you with the name of a lawyer knowledgeable in the legal requirements for divorced persons. Authorization must be obtained from the Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations before a marriage license can be issued. To obtain this authorization, applicants must apply to:
  Office of the Registrar General,
  P.O. Box 4600,
  189 Red River Road,
  Thunder Bay ON P7B 6L8,
  Att.: M.A.M or call 1-800-461-2156, 416-325 8305 or 416-325-8305
• Blood tests or medical certificates are not required
• Licenses may be picked up, upon payment of between $75.00 to $100 fee at the town hall in Parry Sound, Ontario or they may be obtained at any other large municipal office in Ontario. Cash, money order, certified cheque, VISA, Mastercard, and debit cards accepted
• A marriage application form must be completed and signed by both parties to the marriage. The form must be submitted in person, by either or both the bride and groom, along with the appropriate documents for both applicants including:

*A current passport (which includes a photo) or an original birth certificate;
*One piece of photo identification, like a driver's license or health card.

We will provide directions to the town hall to pick up the license, which can be done any weekday during business hours. It is about a 45 minute drive from the resort.

• There are two choices of how the wedding ceremony may be performed in Ontario:

1. By a Justice of the Peace during regular business hours 9-5 p.m. Monday to Friday in the court house in Parry Sound
2. By a clergyman licensed to perform the ceremony. There is no time or location restriction on when or where the ceremony can be performed. There is a fee for the service.

• The ceremony must be witnessed by two persons in addition to the bride, the groom and the officiant.

The preceding legal information is provided as a guideline reference only. Check with the State, County and/or Municipality of your wedding site for more detailed and current information. Check with your home state about its requirements for a blood test, license, and other documents. A marriage license from your home state may not be valid for a ceremony performed in another state, territory or country. A marriage performed in another state, like Ontario, may not be recognized by your home state, unless specific requirements are met. You are not required to take a blood test in Ontario to obtain a license.

If you require more information then is here. Please click here and sent us a note. We will attempt to answer your questions.

Woodland Echoes Resort
P.O. BOX 59
Magnetawan, Ontario
POA 1PO
705-387-3866
705-387-0216 fax e-mail info@woodlandechoes.on.ca

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