To help you prepare for your marriage ceremony (Nikah) at UNM, please refer to the instruction below. We ask that you thoroughly review it. For any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact Imam Ali (prefer text: 416 919 5157) or Imam Arshad (647 510 7919). Imam Ali and Imam Arshad are both marriage officiants, registered with the government of Ontario.

Step 1. Step 1. Obtain a Marriage Licence

A marriage licence is required to get married in Ontario. Please visit the City of Toronto, Marriage Services websites for general information about marriage licence, how to apply for one, identification requirements, etc. The time for obtaining your marriage license is dictated by the City. We recommend that you submit your marriage licence application and book an appointment with the City to obtain your licence, well before your planned date of Nikah.

UNM Imams will not perform any Nikah without a valid marriage license

Step 2. Book your Nikah Ceremony and Information Session (*optional)

Contact Imam Ali or Imam Arshad to book your Nikah ceremony. Please note that both Imams also offer an optional information session that the bride and groom can take advantage of.

During the information session, Imams will briefly explain the purpose and objectives of marriage —as well as the roles, responsibilities and obligations of the bride and the groom—in accordance with the Islamic tradition. Moreover, to better prepare you for the day of your Nikah, they will also explain how the ceremony will be conducted.

The fees for Nikah service is set by the Imams themselves.

Step 3. Day of Nikah

On the day and place of the ceremony, in addition to the bride and the groom that must physically be present, two witnesses must also be present (see Note 1).

On the day of the ceremony, the Imam that you have booked with will perform the Nikah (see Note 2), complete the marriage licence, have you and your witnesses sign the marriage licence and the Registry, and send the completed marriage licence to the provincial office to be registered.

Step 4. Obtain a Marriage Certificate

The marriage certificate contains details of your marriage performed in Ontario and proves that a marriage has taken place. You may need a marriage certificate for a number of reasons, including changing your name.

After 10-12 weeks from the date of your marriage, you can order a marriage certificate through Service Ontario.

Note 1. For the Nikah ceremony to be performed, two witnesses must be present who can attest to the fact that both the bride and the groom have shown their agreement and pleasure for the Nikah ceremony from their own free will. Each witness must bring 2 pieces of government-issued identification. One piece of identification must include their photo.

Note 2. All Nikah ceremonies at UNM will be officiated in accordance with the Islamic rites and ceremonies as well as all other applicable provincial laws. If requested, Imams will also issue a Nikah Nama.