Do you need a marriage licence in Ontario?
What a licence costs, where to get one, and how long it lasts – the plain-English version.
6 min read · By the Everest team · Updated October 2026
Yes. To marry legally in Ontario you need a marriage licence, which you buy in person from a municipal clerk’s office and which is valid for three months anywhere in the province. The only alternative is the publication of banns, available for some religious ceremonies.
- Licence fee is roughly $155–$180, set by each municipality (approximate, 2026).
- It is valid for three months and can be used anywhere in Ontario.
- Bring two pieces of government-issued ID for each person.
Do you need a marriage licence to get married in Ontario?
In almost every case, yes. According to ServiceOntario, a couple must have either a marriage licence or a completed publication of banns before an officiant can legally marry them. Most couples get the licence.
The publication of banns is an older, religious alternative: your name is announced in a recognized place of worship on the Sundays before the wedding, and the minister issues a banns certificate instead of a licence. Banns are not available for civil ceremonies or if either partner was previously married and divorced, so a licence is the simpler path for most people.
How much does a marriage licence cost in Ontario?
There is no single provincial price. Each municipality sets its own fee, and most land between about $155 and $180. The fee is non-refundable, and HST does not apply.
| Issuing office (example) | Approximate fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| City of Toronto | ~$180 |
| City of Brantford | ~$155 |
| Town of Innisfil | ~$155 |
| Municipality of Chatham-Kent | Confirm with the clerk’s office |
These figures are approximate and change year to year, so confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods with your clerk’s office before you go. Many offices take debit and credit only, not cash or cheque.
Where do you get a marriage licence?
You buy it from a municipal clerk’s office – a city hall or township office that issues licences. You do not have to apply where the wedding will take place; a licence from any Ontario municipality is valid across the whole province.
- Fill out the application. Many municipalities let you start the ServiceOntario marriage licence application online.
- Book an in-person appointment. Both partners usually attend together to show ID and pay.
- Collect the licence. In most offices you leave with it the same day.
What documents do you need?
Each person brings two pieces of government-issued identification, at least one with a photo. Accepted documents typically include a birth certificate, a valid passport, a driver’s licence, or an Ontario Photo Card.
How long is a marriage licence valid?
Three months from the date it is issued. If it expires before your wedding, you have to buy a new one, so there is no advantage to getting it far in advance. For most couples, applying four to six weeks before the date is comfortable.
Who can get a marriage licence in Ontario?
Anyone 18 or older can apply. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds may marry only with the written consent of both parents. There are no residency, citizenship, or medical requirements, and a licence cannot be issued after a ceremony has already happened.
Planning the rest of the day too? Our 12-month wedding timeline shows where the licence fits, and our ceremonies page covers officiants and vows.
Quick answers
Can we get married in Ontario without a licence?
Only through the publication of banns in a religious ceremony. Every civil wedding, and most religious ones, requires a marriage licence.
Do both people have to show up to get the licence?
Usually yes. Most clerk’s offices ask both partners to attend the appointment with ID, though a few allow one person to apply with the other’s signed application and ID copies. Confirm with the office.
Is the marriage licence the same as the marriage certificate?
No. The licence is the permit you buy beforehand. The marriage certificate is the official record you order from ServiceOntario after the wedding, once the signed licence is registered.
Can we use an Ontario licence to marry anywhere in the province?
Yes. An Ontario marriage licence is valid anywhere in Ontario, whatever municipality issued it, for three months.
Do we need witnesses?
Yes. Ontario weddings require two witnesses who are old enough to understand the ceremony; they sign the licence along with the couple and officiant.
What if our licence expires before the wedding?
You simply purchase a new one. The fee is non-refundable, so time the purchase to within three months of your date.
Planning a wedding in Chatham-Kent?
We handle the venue, catering, and coordination so you can focus on the paperwork and the people. Come see the space before you decide.
