At the City of Burlington, we can help you get a marriage licence, which you need before getting married in Ontario.
Learn more about marriages in Ontario, including:
- Age minimum
- Who can perform a marriage
- Licence expiry dates
- Replacement licences
Apply for a marriage licence
We offer marriage licences by appointment. Licences are valid anywhere in Ontario for three months from the date it was issued.
How to apply for a marriage licence |
| View the steps below to learn how to apply for a marriage licence with the City of Burlington. |
Complete the online Marriage Licence Quick-Pass |
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Review and complete our online Marriage Licence Quick-Pass. |
Schedule your appointment with the City |
| Schedule your appointment with the City using the link provided in your confirmation email. |
Print and sign the application form |
| Print out your application form provided and ensure both parties sign it. |
Bring your ID, application and fee to your appointment |
| At least one partner must bring valid identification for both parties and the completed application to your appointment with the City to receive your licence. You must pay a licence fee of $170 at the time of processing. You can pay by credit card or debit card. We do not accept cheques. View our ID requirements below. |
Get married! |
| Congratulations! |
Bringing valid identification
Either partner can submit your marriage application at your appointment, but it must include original signatures for both parties. You must bring two valid pieces of original ID for both parties. We do not accept copies or photocopies.
You must support documents in another language by a certified translator. All documents must be original. We accept Refugee Protection Claimant documents.
The first piece of ID must be any of the following:
- A government-issued birth certificate, including any name change certificates
- A valid passport
- A record of immigrant landing
- A Canadian citizenship card
The second piece of ID must a form of government-issued photo ID, including:
- A valid driver's licence
- A valid passport
- A valid Ontario Photo Card
- NEXUS card (if you used a valid passport as your first piece of ID)
Minor applicants |
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You need to be at least 16-years-old to get married in Ontario. If you are 16- or 17-years old and you wish to apply for a marriage licence, you must have both sets of parents or guardians complete a consent form at your appointment. Exception is made for applicants who are widowed or divorced. If a parent or guardian refuses to provide consent, you can apply for an order to a judge dispensing with consent. Contact us for more information. |
Divorced applicants |
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If either applicant has been previously divorced, you must provide the original certified copy of the Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce with your application. We accept a Divorce Judgments or Decree Nisi. You can get certified copies of documents from the court that granted the divorce. We do not accept Court Orders, photocopies or certificates certified by a Lawyer or Notary Public. Divorce outside of CanadaIf you were divorced outside of Canada, you or your lawyer must submit the following documents to the Registrar General's Office:
Submit your documents to: Office of the Registrar General We recommend you contact us by phone at 905-335-7777 or by email at appointments@burlington.ca to book an appointment and gather forms and information. |
Widowed applicants |
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If either applicant is a widow or widower, you do not need to submit a death certificate to get a marriage licence. |
Publication of banns
A marriage may be solemnized under the authority of the publication of banns where both parties worship regularly at their own church in Canada. No one may marry under the publication of banns if there was a previous marriage (dissolved or annulled). For more information, ask a member of your clergy.