As a courtesy to my couples, I can assist you with expediting your marriage certificate when it is needed. Please note this is above & beyond my role as your officiant. My couples have been successful & very grateful for this extra service.

Please read these notes carefully & follow the instructions. They have proven to be very effective & clear.

It can take up to 24 weeks for your license to be processed and the certificate to be issued (if you order it). A marriage certificate is not just automatically sent to you.

However, these steps may expedite the process and shorten processing times to 2-6 weeks. In fact, I have even heard it being as fast as 5 days!

It is important to note that the Ministry Office is not obliged for any circumstance to expedite your certificate. However, it has been my experience that in most cases they will. I personally do not have any control over this, but to my best to ensure you are successful.

1. Get your license from City Hall anywhere in Ontario.

2. Apply for your marriage certificate online here on the day you're getting married (it won't work earlier).  When you open the link, keep going to the bottom right-hand side to hit NEXT. Go to the Marriage section. Do step #3 Apply for a Marriage Certificate. DO NOT ASK FOR EXPEDITE or EMERGENCY only step #3 works! You will get the order number on the receipt at the end (if you don't go back and make sure you've requested to 'submit online' and not by mail). Print this off and bring with you.

3. Write a letter stating the urgency for expediting your marriage license in order to receive your certificate. A sample letter is posted below. In that letter, state your License Number (starts with a G and is at the top of your license in red ink) and the order number from applying for your certificate online. Print this off and bring with you. 

4. Scan/print copies of any documents which support your urgency (if any): passports, visas, airline tickets, wedding invitations, employment letters.  Print this off and bring with you. 

5. Get an Expresspost envelope (not a Priority envelope) from Canada Post. Costs $25 If you forget the envelope you can etransfer francescabonta@gmail.com & I will get an envelope for you.

PLEASE BRING THE DOCUMENTS WITH YOU AS I HAVE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TO MAIL YOUR LICENSE IN A STRICT PERIOD OF TIME.

The Office of the Registrar General
P.O. Box 4600, 3rd Floor
189 Red River Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 6L8

Date: {D/M/Y}

Ref: Marriage Licence# G xxxxxxx
Marriage Certificate Tracking #xxxxxxx

Attention: Marriage Office ​

This is a letter to request your office to kindly process our marriage licence# Gxxxxxx at your earliest convenience. We have already applied online requesting our marriage certificate, order number #xxxxxx.

We need to expedite the processing of our marriage certificate. As a proof of urgency, {state the reason why you are requesting this as per our discussion}.

It is of utmost importance that we receive the requested documents as early as possible as we are required to present copies of our marriage certificate and registration.

If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact us anytime.

Thank you in advance for supporting us with this request. We understand that it adds pressure to your role.

In Gratitude,

{names}

Attachment: Proof of Urgency Documents- Visa Stamp/Invitations/Airline Tickets/Letters with Deadlines