Marriage Licences and Certificates

The Town of Essex issues marriage licenses and can provide information on obtaining marriage certificates. No residency or citizenship requirements apply.

Obtaining a marriage licence

Marriage licenses may only be issued to the bride and/or the groom. Both parties to the marriage must complete and sign a provincial Marriage Licence Application Form.

Contact the Clerk's Office well in advance of the marriage ceremony to book an appointment.

All licenses are valid for a period of 3 months (90 days) from date of issue.

Marriage licence requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must provide proof of age. Two pieces of ORIGINAL identification, one containing a photo, are required. 

Acceptable Identification

• Birth Certificate
• Passport
• Driver’s Licence
• 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
• Confirmation of Permanent Residency
• Permanent Residency Card
• Citizenship Card
• Identity Card
• Nexus Card
• Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC)
• Possession & Acquisition Licence (PAL)

*Health cards and S.I.N. cards will not be accepted.

*Photocopied, scanned and expired identification will not be accepted.

If you are 16 or 17 years old, you will require parental consent. Please contact the Clerk's Office for more details.

If you have been divorced in Canada

If a previous marriage was dissolved or annulled in Canada, the applicant must submit the original or court certified copy of the Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce. A Decree Nisi, Divorce Order or Judgement is not acceptable. Certified copies may be obtained from the court that granted the divorce. All documents will be returned.

Digital copies will be accepted as follows:

• Original email from the Court (can be forwarded by applicant) that states the physical address of the court granting the divorce
• Email from the lawyer (can be forwarded by applicant) that states the physical address of the court granting the divorce

If you have been divorced outside of Canada (Out of Country divorce)

If you were divorced outside of Canada, you will need to obtain a Foreign Divorce Authorization from the Province of Ontario, Office of the Registrar General.

ServiceOntario
Marriage Office
PO Box 4600
189 Red River Road
Thunder Bay ON  P7B 6L8

You will need to send the following to the address above:

• Completed and signed marriage licence application
• Statement of sole responsibility
• Legal opinion letter: from an Ontario lawyer
• Original or court-certified copy of the divorce decree or annulment in English or French. If the document is in another language, you will need to include a translated copy and an affidavit sworn by a certified translator.

For more information or forms including a sample legal opinion letter please visit the  ServiceOntario  website.

Once you have received your Foreign Divorce Authorization from the Office of the Registrar General you can make an appointment for a marriage licence.

If you arrive for your appointment without a Foreign Divorce Authorization your marriage licence cannot be issued.

For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar General Marriage Office at 1-800-461-2156 (toll-free) or visit Service Ontario .

Marriage ceremonies

Marriage ceremonies are not performed at Town Hall. Under section 228(4) of the Municipal Act, the Clerk can delegate the authority to solemnize civil marriages. Please contact the Clerk's Office for the names and contact information of those authorized to perform civil marriage ceremonies in the Town of Essex.

Obtaining a marriage certificate

After the marriage ceremony, the bride and groom receive a Record of Solemnization of Marriage. This is not a marriage certificate.

The person who solemnizes the marriage forwards documentation to the Office of the Registrar General for registration. Visit the Service Ontario website to apply online for a marriage certificate.