Legal Canada - Thinking of getting married in Canada?

September 14, 2005

Thinking of getting married in Canada?

On June 10, 2003, the high court of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, ruled that the exclusion of same-sex couples from civil marriage infringes human dignity, harms families, and violates the constitution. The court ordered an immediate end to this cruel discrimination. Within hours, same-sex couples began marrying. Other provinces followed soon after, until finally, marriage became legal for same-sex couples across all of Canada on July 20, 2005.

You do not have to be Canadian or live in Canada to get married here. Details about where to get a marriage licence vary by province. Contact the city hall of your chosen destination and ask for assistance.

If you are seeking a religious marriage, all Metropolitan Community Churches and Unitarian Fellowships will marry same-sex couples. Most United Churches will marry same-sex couples or recommend a church that will. Our faiths section of this web site outlines religious groups who support equal marriage.

For further information follow the links below (suggestions welcome):

Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto Weddings

How can you get married in Ontario? First, go to a city hall and ask for a marriage licence. Fill out the application, pay your $110 fee and obtain your validated licence. Finally to get married you require:

• a justice of the peace to marry you (the clerk at the marriage licence application desk can give directions), or
• a church willing to perform the marriage ceremony (Metropolitan Community Churches, Unitarian churches, and some United churches are already performing marriages for same-sex couples).

Reverend Dr. Brent Hawkes, senior pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto will marry same-sex couples.

The simplified wedding takes about 10 minutes, or the couple can include a scripture reading and a prayer in a 20 minute ceremony:

• The fee for either service is $300 (a minimum payment of $150 in cash, the remaining can be paid using credit/debit cards).
• A valid Ontario Marriage License is required.
• The weddings will take place at MCC Toronto
• Participants must meet with an MCC Toronto wedding coordinator prior to the wedding day.

Contact Bill Estey (416-406-6228 extension 170) to schedule a wedding.