Destination Toronto

We’re delighted that you’ve chosen Toronto as your wedding destination. Same-sex marriages became legal in Ontario on June 10, 2003. Since then the City of Toronto has been issuing marriage licenses to all eligible couples, regardless of gender.

One of the reasons that gay and lesbian couples flock to Toronto from all over the world to get married is that there are no citizenship or residency requirements when applying for a marriage license in Ontario. In addition blood tests and/or medical certificates are not required. Both partners must be 18 years of age or older or you must have parental consent if you are 16 or 17 years of age.

Getting a marriage license is the first step in planning for your same-sex marriage. Please see the City of Toronto's Marriage Licence web page for marriage license requirements and marriage application information. Applications are available online in PDF format or TEXT format or you may pick one up from any municipal office in the province. A marriage license is valid anywhere in Ontario for three months from the date of issue. Once you and your partner have completed and signed the marriage license application, one or both of you must go in person to a Registry Service located in City Hall at 100 Queen Street West, the Etobicoke Civic Centre at 399 The West Mall, the North York Civic Centre at 5100 Yonge Street, or the Scarborough Civic Centre at 150 Borough Drive on Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:15 PM. Please bring a piece of original identification for both you and your partner that shows your current legal names. It may be in the form of a:

• Birth Certificate
• Passport
• Driver’s License
• Canadian Citizenship Card
• Canadian Government Refugee Travel Document
• Conditional Release Identification Card
• United States Green Card
• Native Status Card
• Record of Immigration Landing
• Any Country Citizenship Card

There is a fee for a marriage license in Toronto. As of January 2011 the fee is $140 but that of course is subject to change.

What documents do you require if you entering Canada from the United States? U.S. citizens must show either a U.S. passport or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as an original or certified birth certificate together with photo identification. U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for a stay up to 180 days. For complete details on entering Canada please visit the Canadian Border Services Website.

What documents do you require if you are entering Canada from an international destination? Canada does require citizens from some countries and territories to have a valid visa in addition to a passport. Please check the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website to find out if you require a visa to enter Canada and instructions on how to obtain a visa if you need one.

Toronto is a great place for gay and lesbian weddings. Whether you are a local or a visitor, Toronto is an exciting city with one of the largest and most vibrant gay communities in the world in addition to world class theatre, exclusive designer shops, exciting events and attractions, fantastic international cuisine, and a superb array of accommodation. Come to Toronto to get married and stay for your honeymoon. We can help you plan a day luxuriating at a spa, a private guided tour of Toronto, a romantic boat cruise, or tickets to a show. There is so much to see and do.

Visit the Church Wellesley Village, Toronto’s largest gay and lesbian neighborhood.

Attend Pride Week in Toronto

Take in a show at the Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, a not-for-profit professional theatre company dedicated to the promotion of Queer Canadian Culture.

Take your clubs along. There is gay golf in Toronto.

Shop at Prada, Hermes, and Gucci, and other famous designer boutiques in the very exclusive shopping area called Bloor-Yorkville.

Visit Toronto’s Historic Distillery District.

Enjoy the view from the top of the CN Tower.

Visit the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario

Do you love shoes? Don’t miss the Bata Shoe Museum.

Toronto has world class theatre. Take in a play put on by Mirvish Productions and Canstage.

Venture a little out of the city and take a tour of Ontario’s Wine Country. We are known for our superb Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.

People travel from all over the world to see a play at the Stratford Festival and the Shaw Festival.

You could live in Toronto a lifetime and never see it all. Get married in Toronto and plan to stay a while.

Other points of interest:

• Casa Loma - Toronto's Magestic Castle complete with decorated suites, secret passages, tunnels, towers, stables and an estate garden.
• Allan Gardens Conservatory - Includes 6 greenhouses covering 4, 900 square meters of beautiful flowers and various other plants from around the world
• The Toronto International Film Festival
• Medieval Times - Canada's only Medieval Times Castle, nestled within Toronto's Exhibition Place.
• Paramount Canada's Wonderland - Canada's premier theme park featuring over 60 rides and more than 200 attractions.
• Royal Alexandra Theatre - The oldest continuously operating theatre in North America.
• Canon Theatre - Established in 1920 this theatre is known for its lavish, elegant interior designed by arhitect Thomas Lamb.
• Roy Thomson Hall - Home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
• St. Lawrence Market - Toronto's premier market featureing over 120 specialty merchants and vendors.
• The Air Canada Centre - Home to the Toronto Maple Leaf's Hockey club the Air Canada Centre is Canada's premier sports and entertainment venue.
• Rogers Centre (formerly known as SkyDome) - This venue is the home to the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club and the Toronto Argonauts Football Team.
• The Toronto Island Park - Downtown parkland featuring over 230 hectares of space.