Solemnization of Marriages

Under the authority of the Marriage Act, MPP Sheref Sabawy is authorized to solemnize marriages in Ontario.

If you are interested in having MPP Sabawy solemnize your marriage, please contact us for more information.

Please note, the information on this page is informational only, and does not replace the rules and procedures of the Marriage Act or the Government of Ontario. Where there is a discrepancy, the Marriage Act will prevail.

What Marriages are Not Permitted

The following marriages are not permitted to take place in Ontario/Canada:

  • Underage marriage — no person under 16 years of age may marry.
    • Persons 16 or 17 years old may only marry with the written parental consent or a court order.
  • Lack of mental capacity — no marriage may take place if the marriage officiant knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe, that any party to the marriage lacks the mental capacity to marry (e.g., under the influence of liquor or drugs, or for any other reason).
  • Lack of consent — no marriage may take place if the marriage officiant knows that any party to the marriage does not consent to the marriage, or if it is unclear that both parties to the marriage consent.
  • Virtual or proxy marriages — the Marriage Act requires that every Ontario marriage be performed in the physical presence of the parties to the marriage, two witnesses, and the officiant. These five individuals must be in-person to sign the necessary documents.
  • Marriage violating the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees) Act — the federal Marriage (Prohibited Degrees) Act prohibits marriage between closely-related persons such as siblings and parents.
  • Multiple marriages — it is against the law in Canada to be married to more than one person at a time.
    • Please note, in cases of divorce, dissolution, or annulment of marriage, special requirements might apply to get remarried. Please view the Ontario government’s website for more information.

What to Bring to the Marriage Ceremony

Please note, as required by law, a couple is required to bring the following with them to their marriage ceremony:

  • Both parties to the marriage must be physically in-person at the marriage ceremony.
    • Virtual, telephone, or online marriages are not permitted; nor are marriages by proxy.
    • Each party to the marriage must be at least 18 years of age. If a party is 16 or 17 years of age, parental consent or a court order is required.
  • A valid Ontario marriage licence, issued by an authorized Ontario marriage license issuer.
    • For example, you may obtain a marriage licence from the City of Mississauga.
    • The license is valid for use in Ontario for up to 3 months after being issued.
    • Please note, MPP Sabawy is not authorized to solemnize a marriage under the publication of banns; a marriage licence is required for MPP Sabawy to solemnize the marriage.
  • Government-issued photo identification.
  • Two witnesses who understand what they are witnessing.

What Will Happen During the Marriage Ceremony

As required by law, the following elements must take place during the marriage ceremony:

  • MPP Sabawy must verify the marriage licence, including to ensure that it has been properly issued, that it has not expired.
  • MPP Sabawy must verify the identity of the couple.
  • Both parties must confirm that they have the capacity to marry and that they consent to the marriage.
  • Both parties must make the declarations and statements in s.24(3) of the Marriage Act
    • “I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, AB, may not be joined in matrimony to CD”
    • “I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, AB, do take you, CD, to be my lawful wedded wife (or to be my lawful wedded husband or to be my lawful wedded partner or to be my lawful wedded spouse)”
  • If MPP Sabawy is satisfied that the legal requirements have been met, he will solemnize the marriage with the official statement in s.24(3) of the Marriage Act.
    • “I, EF, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage Act, do hereby pronounce you AB and CD to be married”
  • The marriage licence (i.e. the Statement of Marriage) must be completed and signed, and mailed by the marriage officiant to the Registar General of Ontario.
  • The marriage register must be completed and signed, and kept by the marriage officiant.
  • The Statement of Marriage may not be kept by the couple, as it will be mailed to the provincial government. However, if requested by the couple, a Record of Solemnization of Marriage may be provided; however, please note, this is not an official marriage certificate.

How to Obtain a Marriage Certificate

Following the ceremony, a couple may request a marriage certificate.

Please note, the marriage must be registered before a couple can receive a marriage certificate.

After the marriage officiant mails or couriers the completed Statement of Marriage to the Office of the Registrar General following the ceremony, the registration process of the event begins and can take up to 10 weeks.

The couple can order a marriage certificate at any time following their marriage ceremony, however their application may take up to 8 weeks after their marriage is registered to be processed.

Couples can order a marriage certificate by visiting Ontario.ca/MarriageCertificate.