Through the municipality of Russell website, residents now have access to the recently added Ontario’s Marriage Licence Online Application Program.
Provincially available since May 13, the program is being introduced through a phased-in implementation, with province-wide expansion targeted by early 2025.
The aim is for couples in the Township of Russell and beyond have access to this service from the comfort of their own home.
“This latest expansion of our Marriage Licence Online Application will make it easier and more convenient for Ontario couples to get married than ever before,” stated Todd McCarthy, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. “This is just one of the many examples of our government’s commitment to build simpler, faster, and better services that save Ontarians their precious time and effort.”
With the new online application program, couples can apply for their marriage licences by filling out the electronic form at any time. They then can select their municipal office for an appointment to pick up their licence.
The approach aims to save time but also simplifies the process, making it accessible to all.
The online application takes around 30 minutes and both applicants must be present to provide two pieces of identification, which can be uploaded.
The first piece of identification must be either a birth certificate, a current passport, a record of immigrant landing, or a Canadian citizenship card. The second must be either a valid driver’s licence, a Canadian Status Card, or a Bring Your Identification (BYID) age of majority card.
Applicants under 18 years old must have special consent from parents and/or guardians and must complete the Consent of Parents or Guardians to Marriage Form when they go to obtain the marriage licence from the municipality. People 16 years old and younger cannot be issued a Marriage Licence.
Once completed, the Clerk Department of the municipality of Russell will be in contact for applicants to sign a pay the marriage licence fee of $160.
The Marriage Licence is valid for a three-month period for use anywhere in Ontario.
For residents divorced within Canada, the township requires the original or a court certified copy of the Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute.
For residents divorced outside of Canada, a consent from the Office of the Registrar General has to be given before City Hall can issue a licence, which may take up to four weeks to process. More information can be found at the ontario.ca website under Getting married section If you were divorced outside of Canada.
The flexibility to choose traditional methods for obtaining marriage licences is still available.
