Marriage Licences and Civil Wedding Ceremonies

The Township of Cavan Monaghan has been selected as one of the municipalities in Ontario to pilot a new online marriage licence program, making it less complicated and more convenient for Ontario couples to register. 

You can now register for your Marriage Licence online through Service Ontario.

Marriage Licence

Apply for a Marriage Licence

Information Required to Complete your Marriage Licence:

  • The proposed date of your marriage, which must be within 3 months of today’s date in order to submit your application online.
  • The municipality where you want to go to obtain your licence.
  • The proposed place of marriage (city/town/reserve).
  • The names, dates of birth, provinces/territories of birth, countries of birth (as it was known at the time of your births, even if it is no longer used), addresses and contact information for both applicants
  • The marital status of each applicant.
    • Certificate of Divorce are required for those who have been previously married, the names and countries of birth (country name as it was known when the parent was born) for each applicant’s parent(s). Please note Divorce Orders are not accepted.
  • Photographs or scans of two pieces of government-issued identification with at least one being photo identification (ID), for each application (four total).

Licence expiry and cancellation

A marriage licence is valid anywhere in Ontario for 90 days from the date of issue. 

Marriage licence fees are non-refundable after purchase.

Marriage after divorce

If a previous marriage was dissolved or annulled within Canada, you must provide your original or certified true copy of the Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce with your marriage licence application. You can get a certified copy from the court that originally granted the divorce. We do not accept divorce orders or judgments.

Out-of-country divorces

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

To begin this process, visit the Province of Ontario's Getting married | ontario.ca 

Civil Wedding Ceremonies 

You may book a civil marriage ceremony with the Township if you're looking for a simple, non-religious ceremony. We conduct civil marriage ceremonies based on availability during regular business hours and non-regular business hours.

Ceremonies typically last about 15-30 minutes. Pictures and video may be taken during the ceremony provided there is no disruption of the ceremony.

Booking a ceremony

To book a civil wedding ceremony, please call 705-932-2929 or email services@cavanmonaghan.net please indicate your preferred date and time and any special requests.

Please note you must obtain a Marriage Licence prior to your Civil Marriage Ceremony.

Fees and requirements

Fees are outlined in the User Fees and Charges By-law.

Marriage certificates

Learn how to get your marriage certificate after the ceremony.

Changing Your Name Post-Ceremony

A couple that becomes married in Ontario can assume either partner's name, maintain their own name, or combine both names into a new name. Changing your name will require you to apply for and receive a Marriage Certificate, via ServiceOntario.

For more details on your options, and documentation required to change your name, see the Marriage Change of Name Act.