FAQ - Ontario Certificates

Ontario Birth Certificates Questions
What is a guarantor?
I laminated my birth certificate is that okay?
Does my birth certificate expire?
Can I get a Canadian passport with out my birth certificate?
Is it possible for my child to travel before he is registered?
What is the difference between a short form and long form birth certificate?

Ontario Marriage Certificate Questions
What do I need to get married?
How do you register a marriage?
Is there an age limit to get married?
Can anyone perform a marriage?

Ontario Death Certificate Questions
Can I obtain a death certificate for anyone?
Can I get a death certificate for a deceased relative who died about a century ago?

What is a guarantor?
A guarantor is a person who has known you for over two (2) years and is able to verify that the information you have provided is accurate.

A guarantor must be a member Some of the more common guarantor is police officer, mayor, minister, Notary public, school principal, signing officer of a bank, chiropractor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, physician, veterinarian, accountant, engineer, social worker, and teacher.

I laminated my birth certificate is that okay?
No. You should not laminate your birth certificate. However, if it was laminated by the government (as the Ontario government so in the 1970), then it will it be accepted by other governmental offices. For example, passport offices will not accept a laminated birth certificate.

Does my birth certificate expire?
No birth certificate expires as long as it remains in good condition.

Can I get a Canadian passport with out my birth certificate?
If you were born in Canada you need your Canadian birth certificate to obtain a Canadian Passport. In extreme rare exceptions will this rule not apply?

Is it possible for my child to travel before he is registered?
Yes. If your newborn is required to travel before the birth is registered, you may obtain a Temporary Confirmation of Birth Letter through the city clerks’ office in the municipality in which the baby was born. You may travel using this document for up to 90 days after the date you submitted the Statement of Live Birth document.

At least one parent must appear in person and provide identification to obtain a Temporary Confirmation of Birth Letter. There may be fees for this service, which are set and collected by individual municipalities.

What is the difference between a short form and long form?
As is indicated by their names, their difference is in the size. Moreover, a short form birth certificate will contain less information than a long form certificate. Additionally, most government agencies (Canadian as well as international) will only take long form birth certificates.

What do I need to get married?
To be married in Ontario, you must fill out a marriage licence. You can get one from the municipal clerk office of your city, town, village or township OR download the marriage licence application.

Once you have filled out the application, apply for the marriage licence in person. Make sure you and your partner bring identification, such as a birth certificate (along with any change of name certificates), current passport, Record of Immigrant Landing or Canadian citizenship card, along with photo identification.

There is a fee for purchasing a marriage licence. Contact your municipal office for the current fee. The marriage licence is valid anywhere in Ontario for three months from the date of purchase.

How do you register a marriage in Ontario?
After you are married, you will receive a Record of Solemnization from the person who performed the marriage. The person who performed the marriage will forward it and the marriage licence to the Office of the Registrar General.

The marriage must be registered before you may apply for a marriage certificate. See Service Times.

Is there any age limit to get married in Ontario?
Yes. You must be at least 18 years old to be married in Ontario without any parental consent.

Anyone who is 16 or 17 years of age will need parental consent to be married.

Can anyone perform a marriage?
No. For a religious or civil wedding only certain people are allowed to perform a marriage. For religious weddings, only members from a recognized religious organization can perform a wedding ceremony. For civil matrimony, only judges, justices of the peace or municipal clerks may perform a marriage.

Can I obtain a death certificate for anyone?
No. You can only apply for death certificates for relatives. Relatives are parents, spouses or common law partners, children or siblings. However the extended next-of-kin can also apply for a death certificate for relatives. Next-of-kin include grandparents, aunt, uncles, first cousin, niece, nephew or grandchild. However, a representative of yours can apply for a death certificate.

Can I get a death certificate for a deceased relative who died about a century ago?
No. Ontario records only hold death certificates for people who died in the province up to 70 years ago.