Signing of the Registry and Licence

Signing

(This may take place near the end of the service, before the Closing Words.)

The couple, their witnesses and the chaplain sign the registry and license.

This element is required by the Marriage Act.

The following information on legal matters dealing with marriages was adapted from the Niagara Falls City Hall website.

Obtaining a Marriage Certificate

Once married in the province of Ontario, you may apply for an official government copy of your marriage certificate from the Office of the Registrar General, at least 10 to 12 weeks after the ceremony has taken place. The application for this certificate can be obtained by clicking on the Ontario Request for Marriage or Death Certificates link or picked up from a City Clerk's office. Further information regarding the Marriage Certificate are available from the Provincial government at http://www.ontario.ca/welcome-ontario. or by calling the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay, Ontario at 1-800-461-2156.


How Do I Change My Documents to my Husband's Surname After Marriage?

Once you are married, YOU DO NOT LEGALLY NEED TO CHANGE YOUR SURNAME. You can ASSUME your husband's surname and change all your documents to your chosen surname with the Record of Marriage Certificate which you received after you were married. You must change each document individually - such as S.I.N. Card, Driver's Licence, Bank Accounts, Health Cards, etc. - by contacting each agency, indicate that you are assuming your husband's surname and request a change to your documents to reflect this. Most agencies will require a copy of the Record of Marriage Certificate to accomplish this.


Legal Change of Surname?

There is an option for parties of a marriage to legally change their surname, which would in effect, amend their original birth registration, replacing their last name on that record with their new last name while retaining the last name at birth in brackets. The spouse elects this option under the Change of Name Act, completes the appropriate forms and submits these to the Office of the Registrar General. If the person is born in Ontario, the birth registration is notated, and a birth certificate in the new name is issued, as well as a change of name certificate. If this is done within 90 days of the marriage, there is no charge. These forms can be obtained by contacting the ORG at 1-800-461-2156 or 416-965-1687. If the spouse wishes to return to the use of his/her former name, they must apply once more for a change of name.