Legalize It: A Brief How-To for Legally Tying the Knot
So, you're in love and you want to get married. But what's the process for getting hitched in Canada?
Don't worry, we've got all the info you need to know, from obtaining a marriage licence to finding an officiant. Just follow these simple steps and you'll be saying "I do" in no time!
Find out if you and your partner are legally allowed to get married in Canada
Are you ready to say ‘I do’? Before starting the wedding planning process, it's important to make sure that you're actually legally allowed to get married in Canada. After all, there are some regulations and guidelines that need to be met and it’s best to know your legal rights and responsibilities before taking the next step.
Fortunately, there are lots of resources available online that can help you find out if you and your partner are legally allowed to tie the knot in our great nation. Searching for information through a local courthouse or checking with a family lawyer can also be incredibly helpful. With a little research, you can soon find out if marriage is in your cards!
Get a marriage license from the government
Getting married is fun and exciting, but it can also require a lot of paperwork. One important step to tying the knot is to get an actual marriage licence from city hall. Different jurisdictions obviously have different requirements for getting one, but generally you’ll need to fill out an application, provide identification and pay a fee. In some cases you may even need to attend premarital counselling prior to the licencing process, but mainly if you want to take a religious angle to it - ex. some churches, temples or synagogues require couples who wish to be wed by their officiants to have it. If you’re just looking for the denominational version that’s legally binding though, you should be good with just the city hall paperwork, and, of course, an officiant.
Once you have all the necessary documents from city hall (or your city or town’s equivalent), you’re ready to head off to your happily-ever-after!
Find an officiant to perform the ceremony
When it comes to planning a wedding, the officiant actually performing the ceremony can be a huge component - they’re kinda like the voice of the wedding and they set the tone for the rest of the nuptials, and, often, the rest of the day.
Whether you choose someone close to you, like a family member or spiritual leader, or a professional who has done this many times before, finding an officiant who will make your ceremony sentimental and memorable is key!
Once you’ve settled on someone who will conduct your ceremony with just the right amount of fun professionalism, it's time to sit down with them (physically or digitally) and start working out all of the details.
Crafting a ceremony that suits your needs doesn't have to be hard - but they’re best when they really feel like you - so just be sure you’re honest about what you want and put a whole lot of love into it.
Have two witnesses sign the marriage certificate
When you get ready to dive in, it's important to have two witnesses sign the marriage certificate. Yes, it’s fun to have two of your best friends by your sides, but it also adds an extra layer of security to ensure that your union has actual solid legal ground.
Thankfully it's a pretty a fun activity for your friends or family members to take part in; so they’ll likely be happy to step up and honoured that you ask!
Register the marriage
Registering your marriage is a super easy but also super important step in protecting your marriage. Without it your union isn’t exactly legally binding, so, if you’re looking for it to be, be sure to actually mail in the paperwork you sign - otherwise it’s just more of a souvenir.
While you definitely don’t have to register formally with the government, registering can make administrative tasks like taxes and medical insurance much simpler down the road!
Celebrate your new status as a married couple!
Take time to celebrate your newfound status as a fabulous married couple!
With all the hustle and bustle of wedding planning and the big day, it can be easy to forget that you’ve just joined forever. So, why not turn your honeymoon into something special by planning a romantic weekend getaway or a relaxing staycation? Whether your idea of romance is watching a movie from the comfort of your own home or taking long walks hand in hand on an exotic beach vacation, find a way to take some time for yourselves as newlyweds.
Your wedding may have been one of the happiest days of your lives, but with this new status comes even more joy and a wonderful new chapter for you to embark upon together. Enjoy it!
