Marriage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3

• Jurisdiction: Ontario

Marriage Act

R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER M.3

Consolidation Period: From December 31, 2022 to the e-Laws currency date.

Last amendment: 2021, c. 4, Sched. 3, s. 25.

Definitions

1 (1) In this Act,

“band” means a band as defined in the Indian Act (Canada); (“bande”)

“church” includes chapel, meeting-house or place set aside for religious worship; (“église”)

“Indian” means a person who is registered as an Indian or entitled to be registered as an Indian under the Indian Act (Canada); (“Indien”)

“issuer” means a person authorized under this Act to issue marriage licences; (“délivreur de licences”)

“judge” means a judge of the Superior Court of Justice or Ontario Court of Justice, except in section 24; (“juge”)

“licence” means a marriage licence issued under this Act; (“licence”)

“Minister” means the minister responsible for the administration of this Act; (“ministre”)

“prescribed” means prescribed by the regulations; (“prescrit”)

“regulations” means the regulations made under this Act; (“règlements”)

“reserve” means a reserve as defined in the Indian Act (Canada). (“réserve”) R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 1 (1); 2001, c. 9, Sched. D, s. 10 (1, 2); 2012, c. 8, Sched. 32, s. 1; 2020, c. 11, Sched. 17, s. 1.

Application of Act to subsequent ceremonies

(2) This Act does not apply in respect of any ceremony or form of marriage gone through by two persons who are married to each other by a marriage previously solemnized in accordance with this Act or recognized as valid in Ontario. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 1 (2).

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

2001, c. 9, Sched. D, s. 10 (1, 2) - 29/06/2001

2012, c. 8, Sched. 32, s. 1 - 01/09/2016

2020, c. 11, Sched. 17, s. 1 - 08/10/2020

Administration

2 The administration of this Act is under the direction of the Minister. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 2.

Delegation of powers and duties

3 The Minister may delegate in writing any or all of his or her powers and duties under this Act to any person, subject to any restrictions set out in the delegation. 2012, c. 8, Sched. 32, s. 2.

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

1994, c. 27, s. 89 (1) - 09/12/1994

2001, c. 9, Sched. D, s. 10 (2) - 29/06/2001

2012, c. 8, Sched. 32, s. 2 - 01/09/2016

Authority to marry

4 No marriage may be solemnized except under the authority of a licence issued in accordance with this Act or the publication of banns. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 4.

Who may marry

5 (1) Any person who is of the age of majority may obtain a licence or be married under the authority of the publication of banns, provided no lawful cause exists to hinder the solemnization. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 5 (1).

Idem

(2) No person shall issue a licence to a minor, or solemnize the marriage of a minor under the authority of the publication of banns, except where the minor is of the age of sixteen years or more and has the consent in writing of both parents in the form prescribed by the regulations. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 5 (2).

Giving of consent

(3) The consent referred to in subsection (2) is not required in respect of a minor who was previously married and whose marriage was terminated by death or divorce. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 5 (3); 2005, c. 5, s. 39 (1).

Idem

(4) Where one of the parents of a minor is dead or both parents are living apart, the consent required by subsection (2) may be given by the parent having actual or legal custody of the minor. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 5 (4).

Idem

(5) Where both parents of a minor are dead or are voluntary or involuntary patients in a psychiatric facility, the consent required by subsection (2) may be given by a lawfully appointed guardian or an acknowledged guardian who has brought up or who for the three years immediately preceding the intended marriage has supported the minor. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 5 (5); 2001, c. 13, s. 20; 2008, c. 14, s. 55.

Idem

(6) Where a minor is made a ward of someone other than a parent by order of a court or under any Act, the consent required by subsection (2) may be given by the lawful guardian of the minor or person responsible for exercising the rights and duties of a guardian of the minor. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 5 (6).

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

2001, c. 13, s. 20 - 30/11/2001

2005, c. 5, s. 39 (1) - 09/03/2005

2008, c. 14, s. 55 - 01/01/2011

Application to dispense with consent

6 (1) Where a person whose consent is required by section 5 is not available or unreasonably or arbitrarily withholds consent, the person in respect of whose marriage the consent is required may apply to a judge without the intervention of a litigation guardian for an order dispensing with the consent. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 6 (1).

Powers of judge

(2) The judge shall hear the application in a summary manner and may, in his or her discretion, make an order dispensing with the consent required by section 5. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 6 (2).

Persons lacking mental capacity

7 No person shall issue a licence to or solemnize the marriage of any person who, based on what he or she knows or has reasonable grounds to believe, lacks mental capacity to marry by reason of being under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or for any other reason. 2006, c. 19, Sched. G, s. 4.

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 179 - 18/12/1998

2006, c. 19, Sched. G, s. 4 - 22/06/2006

Where dissolution of former marriage recognized in Ontario

8 (1) An applicant for a licence who has been previously married is entitled to be issued a licence if such marriage has been dissolved or annulled and such dissolution or annulment is recognized under the law of Ontario and the applicant otherwise complies with the requirements of this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 8 (1).

Proof of divorce, etc.

(2) Subject to subsection (6), an issuer shall not issue a licence to a person whose previous marriage has been dissolved or annulled in Canada unless the person produces for inspection by the issuer,

(a) the final decree or judgment dissolving or annulling the previous marriage;

(b) a copy of the final decree, judgment or Act dissolving or annulling the previous marriage certified by the proper officer; or

(c) a certificate of divorce issued by the registrar under the Rules of Civil Procedure. 1994, c. 27, s. 89 (2).

Same

(2.1) Before issuing a licence, an issuer may require a person to whom subsection (2) applies to deposit with the issuer such material as the issuer considers relevant to the proof of the divorce or annulment. 1994, c. 27, s. 89 (2).

Where dissolution, etc., outside Canada

(3) Subject to subsection (6), no issuer shall issue a licence to a person whose previous marriage has been dissolved or annulled elsewhere than in Canada, unless the authorization in writing of the Minister is obtained upon the deposit of such material as the Minister may require. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 8 (3).

Review of refusal to issue licence

(4) Where an issuer refuses to issue a licence, or the Minister refuses to issue an authorization under subsection (3), the applicant may apply to the Divisional Court for judicial review under the Judicial Review Procedure Act and for an order directing that a licence be issued to the applicant and if the court finds that the applicant is so entitled it may make such an order. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 8 (4).

Parties

(5) The applicant, the Minister and such other persons as the court may order are parties to an application under subsection (4). R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 8 (5).

Issue of licence under court order

(6) Where an applicant for a licence files with an issuer, together with his or her application, an order of the Divisional Court made on an application under subsection (4) directing that a licence be issued to the applicant, the issuer shall issue the licence. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 8 (6).

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

1994, c. 27, s. 89 (2) - 01/05/1995

Order under Declarations of Death Act, 2002

9 (1) If an order has been made under the Declarations of Death Act, 2002 declaring that a married person has died, the person to whom the deceased was married may, subject to the provisions of this Act, obtain a licence or be married under the authority of the publication of banns upon depositing a certified copy of the order with the person issuing the licence or solemnizing the marriage together with an affidavit in the required form. 2002, c. 14, Sched., s. 11; 2005, c. 5, s. 39 (2).

Exception

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the order is limited, under subsection 2 (6) of the Declarations of Death Act, 2002, to specified purposes other than remarriage. 2002, c. 14, Sched., s. 11.

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

2002, c. 14, Sched., s. 11 - 19/11/2002

2005, c. 5, s. 39 (2) - 09/03/2005

Discretionary power of Minister

10 Despite anything in this Act, if the Minister considers that circumstances justify the issue of a licence in any particular case, the Minister may, in his or her absolute discretion, authorize the issue of the licence. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 10.

Issuers

11 (1) Marriage licences may be issued by the clerk of every local municipality except a township. 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table.

Interpretation

(1.1) In subsection (1) and clause (2) (a), “township” means a local municipality that had the status of a township on December 31, 2002 and, but for the enactment of the Municipal Act, 2001, would have had the status of a township on January, 1, 2003. 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table.

Same

(2) If the Minister considers it expedient for the public convenience, the Minister may in writing appoint as an issuer,

(a) the clerk of a township, or a resident of a county or township adjacent thereto;

(b) a resident of a territorial district;

(c) a member of a band, on the band council’s recommendation; or

(d) any other person. 1994, c. 27, s. 89 (3); 2012, c. 8, Sched. 32, s. 3.

Deputy issuers

(3) An issuer may...