Ontario couples who have been forced to postpone their weddings and are worried about the expiration date on their marriage licences can breathe a sigh of relief.
The Ontario government announced on Thursday that it is pushing back the expiry date on marriage licenses. The government amended the Marriage Act, so most licenses issued on or after December 1, 2019, will be valid for 24-months after the province-wide state of emergency ends.
If you have your marriage license, the province recommends hanging on to it. You will not have to get a new one for up to two years after the emergency ends.
"Marriage is an important milestone for a couple," said Minister of Government and Consumer Services Lisa Thompson. "COVID-19 has impacted marriage plans for couples across the province, with many making the difficult decision to postpone their weddings. Our government wants to make the process for these couples easier, so they have one less thing to worry about."
The amendment will save engaged couples the $75 fee by not having to have the license reissued.
If you no longer have your license, you can apply for a replacement from the province at no cost. The replacement will be valid for up to three months of the rescheduled wedding.
If you have changed your name or marital status, you can also file that paperwork free of charge.
In Ontario, marriage licenses are issued by municipalities and are typically good for three months from the date of issue.
Couples can still get married during the state of emergency but will have to adhere to the current provincial restrictions on physical distancing.
