Area of Law: Family Law
Answer # 0106
Getting remarried after a divorce
Region: Ontario Answer # 0106
If divorced in Canada
Getting remarried after a divorce can be complex. To get help, ask a lawyer now.
If you or your future spouse has been previously married, in order to marry again, Ontario law requires you to prove that you have been legally divorced. In order to do this, you must provide an original, or a court-certified copy of one of the following two documents:
- the Final Decree (also known as a Decree Absolute),
- the Final Judgment, or
- a Certificate of Divorce.
All of these documents can be obtained from the court where the divorce proceedings took place. Once the proof of your, and/or your future spouse’s divorce has been established, you can apply to be married using the usual process required in Ontario.
If divorced outside Canada
If you or your future spouse was divorced outside of Canada, you must obtain authorization from the government before you can be issued a marriage licence.
To get this authorization, you need the following four documents:
- A completed marriage licence application form,
- A Statement of Sole Responsibility for each divorce signed by both you and your future spouse,
- An original or court-certified copy of the divorce decree or annulment, translated into English or French (if applicable), and
- A legal opinion letter from an Ontario lawyer, addressed to both you and your future spouse, giving reasons why the divorce or annulment should be recognized in the province of Ontario.
You must send all of these documents to:
ServiceOntario
Marriage Office
P.O. Box 4600
189 Red River Rd.
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6L8
Get help
Getting remarried after a divorce can be complex. To get help, ask a lawyer now.
A criminal record will affect child custody and adoption. To erase your criminal record, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.
You now have
options: