Delayed Marriage Certificates in Ontario 📃

Did you get married but still haven’t received your Ontario marriage certificate from the Office of the Registrar General?

I’ve encountered a few cases where marriage licences have yet to be processed. After reaching out to the Ministry, here’s what I learned:

Steps to Take If Your Marriage Certificate Is Delayed or Lost

1. Verify Your Online Application

• Ensure you entered the correct date of marriage when applying online (link here).

• Double-check that your names match exactly as they appear on your marriage licence (not your new, married name if you took one).

• Keep note of your Order Number for reference.

2. Check Canada Post Tracking

• If you mailed your licence via Express Post (which I highly recommend), use the Canada Post tracking link to verify when it was delivered.

3. Use Your Tracking Link

• Your Officiant should have provided a tracking link after mailing your licence.

• Use this (link) along with your Order Number from your application receipt to check its progress.

  
  

4. If It’s Been Over 10 Weeks Since Your Marriage...

A. Call Service Ontario

📞 (416-325-8305)

• Provide them with:

  • The date your Express Post envelope was delivered.

  • Your Order Number.

• Request an Investigation. The Office of the Registrar General may have received your licence but encountered a processing error.

  
  

B. If You Didn’t Use Express Post

• The Office of the Registrar General will assume Canada Post lost your envelope.

• They will issue a replacement package, which must be re-signed by your Officiant and witnesses.

Important Note

If your witnesses were outside of Ontario, I strongly recommend sending the replacement package via certified mail (Express Post, Purolator, etc.) to ensure it arrives securely.

Questions? Drop Them Below! 👇

I’m happy to help with any concerns you have about this process.

📸 Photo Credit: @whimandwillowphoto