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The official website for the City of London, Ontario
Marriage licences are available on a ‘drop in’ basis during our regular business hours (Monday – Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm). We ask that you please fill out an online application prior to your visit.
We issue licences for people getting married in Ontario. A licence is valid anywhere in the province for 90 days. There is no waiting period between getting a licence and your date of marriage.
A Marriage licence is required to get married in Ontario and may be obtained in person from City Hall. For faster service, we encourage you to apply online and call prior to your visit. This will ensure all documents are in order and there is enough time to obtain a valid licence prior to your scheduled ceremony.
Please have your online application and all documents completed ahead of time and read the information below prior to submitting your application.
Anyone over the age of 16 years old can get married in Ontario. If you are under 18 years of age you will need consent from your parents or legal guardians. A parental consent form must be completed. Forms are available in the City Clerk’s Office. Your parents or legal guardians must also be present at the time you submit your marriage licence application.
Everyone is welcome to apply for a marriage licence and get married in Ontario, whether you live here permanently or temporarily. There are no gender, residency, citizenship or medical requirements when applying for a marriage licence. The requirements are the same for everyone.
The City of London issues marriage licences while you wait in the lobby of City Hall or at the City Clerk's Office on the 3rd floor of City Hall. Marriage licences are issued Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Yes, you can apply without your partner, if:
Each person applying for the marriage licence must bring 2 pieces of acceptable government-issued identification (ID) from the list below.
The following government-issued ID is accepted:
Within Canada: Applicants divorced within Canada must produce the original or court certified copy of a:
A certified copy of either of the above divorce documents may be obtained from the court office that granted the divorce. A Decree Nisi, Divorce Order or Judgement is not acceptable. All documents will be returned.
If you do not know where your divorce was granted you can contact the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings or 1-613-957-4519.
Outside Canada (Foreign Divorce): If you were divorced outside of Canada, you will need to provide certain documents to prove that you are no longer married. The Office of the Registrar General for the Province of Ontario needs to validate these documents and provide authorization in order for you to get a marriage licence.
For more information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 519 661-4530 or visit Service Ontario. Foreign divorce packages can also be picked up at City Hall.
Questions regarding the authorization process should be directed to the Office of the Registrar General at: 1-800-268-7095 (Toll Free within Ontario) or 416-326-1234.
If you cannot read or understand English, you must bring your own interpreter. The interpreter must present their own identification.
There are two types of marriage ceremonies performed in Ontario:
1.) Religious ceremonies
A religious marriage is performed by a religious official of a recognized religious body who has received authorization from the Office of the Registrar General to perform marriages in Ontario.
Check the online list of authorized religious marriage officiants to ensure that your religious officiant is authorized to perform marriages in Ontario.
2.) Civil ceremonies
A civil marriage may be performed by an Ontario judge, justice of the peace or a municipal clerk or designate under the authority of a marriage licence.
The City of London offers civil marriage ceremonies at City Hall.
You can exchange your wedding vows by appointment at City Hall Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., except statutory holidays. The simple, dignified and non-denominational marriage conducted by the City Clerk, or designated, lasts approximately 15 minutes. Due to the civil nature of the service there cannot be any religious connotation to the ceremony. Several ceremony variations are available to choose from.
Learn more about Civil Marriage Ceremonies
Couples wishing to book a special date and time for a civil ceremony at City Hall can do so by speaking with a customer service representative at 519-661-4530 during our regular business hours or through our online portal using the button below.
Book a civil marriage ceremony
For questions related to civil ceremonies, please call us during regular business hours at 519-661-4530 or email us at marriage@london.ca.
To have a civil ceremony completed at City Hall you must provide:
City Clerk staff will not solemnize the marriage of any person who they know - or has reasonable grounds to believe - lacks capacity to marry. Circumstances which make a person ineligible for the civil marriage include:
Note: a $113 ($100 + $13 HST) administration fee shall be retained by the City should the scheduled ceremony be cancelled after the booking. No refund shall be issued if you do not show up or cancel on the date of your scheduled ceremony.
Marriage certificates are issued by the Office of the Registrar General for the province of Ontario. You can order a marriage certificate through Service Ontario approximately 8 to 12 weeks from the date your marriage ceremony took place.
Order a marriage certificate
To order a marriage certificate by mail simply complete the form that was included with your marriage licence or download the form.
Request for Marriage Certificate
Marriage and change of name
After the marriage ceremony, there are three options either spouse may consider in regard to retaining, assuming, or legally changing their last name.
Option 1: Continue to use their last name
Under this course of action, the spouse who wishes to keep their current last name needs to take no action.
Ontario law does not require a spouse to change their last name upon marriage.
Option 2: “Assume” the use of the spouse’s last name
An assumed name is a name which a person uses or adopts.
Upon marriage, a person may choose to “assume” the last name of their spouse and use it.
To have your identification revised most government organizations, credit card firms, etc. will accept a copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Office of the Registrar General as proof of the marriage.
Option 3: Legally change their last name
A legal name is the name by which the person is entitled to be recognized for the purposes of Ontario law.
In this instance, a person will elect the option under the Change of Name Act, complete the appropriate forms and submit them to the Office of the Registrar General