What do I do if I cannot find my marriage certificate to file for divorce?

You must provide proof of your marriage when filing for divorce in Ontario — the court will not process the application without it. If you have misplaced your marriage certificate, there are ways to obtain a replacement.

If you were married in Ontario, you can order a certified copy of your marriage registration from ServiceOntario. A marriage registration is issued by the provincial government and is the official government record of your marriage; it serves the same purpose as the marriage certificate you received from the officiant. Processing times and fees vary; expedited processing is available for an additional cost.

If you were married in another Canadian province or territory, contact the vital statistics office of that province to obtain a certified copy of your marriage registration or certificate. Each province has its own process.

If you were married outside of Canada, you will need to obtain a replacement marriage certificate from the issuing authority in the country where you were married. If that certificate is in a language other than English or French, you will also need a certified translation. In some cases — particularly for marriages in countries with unstable or incomplete records — other documentation may be accepted, but you should speak with a family lawyer about alternative approaches.