Getting remarried in Ontario after a divorce? This is what you need to know. If you were divorced in Canada, you can apply for your Ontario marriage licence by bringing official proof of the divorce, either the original or a court-certified copy of your final divorce decree, final divorce judgment, or certificate of divorce. If you were divorced outside Canada, the process takes longer, since Ontario needs to validate additional documents before your licence can be issued, so it is worth starting this well ahead of your ceremony date.

If You Were Divorced in Canada

Bring one of the following documents with you when you apply for your marriage licence: the original or a court-certified copy of your final divorce decree, your final divorce judgment, or a certificate of divorce. Any one of these satisfies the requirement, so check with your Clerk's Office ahead of time to confirm which version you have on hand.

If You Were Divorced Outside Canada

This path takes more preparation, since Ontario needs to validate foreign divorce documents before issuing your licence, a process that can take up to four weeks. You will need to send your completed marriage licence application, along with the following, directly to ServiceOntario.

A statement of sole responsibility is required for each divorce, signed by both people planning to marry and a witness. A legal opinion letter from an Ontario lawyer is also required, addressed to both people planning to marry, explaining why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in Ontario. Finally, you will need an original or court-certified copy of your divorce decree or annulment in English or French, and if the original is in another language, a translated copy along with an affidavit sworn by a certified translator.

Give Yourself Enough Time

Because foreign divorce documentation can take weeks to process, this is not a step to leave until the last minute. If this applies to you, start gathering your documents as early in your planning timeline as possible, ideally as soon as you have a wedding date in mind, so processing delays do not put your ceremony date at risk.

What to Do Next

Once your documentation is sorted, head back to our full guide on getting legally married in Ontario for everything else you need to know, or check current marriage licence pricing by city to find the most convenient place to apply.