In our experience, if you’re not a Canadian resident and you’re planning to marry in Ontario, the licence rules are simple — but one of them catches almost every American couple we handle. This page walks you through what Ontario actually requires, what it costs, and the two traps that cost couples their wedding date.
We have tried every shortcut couples ask about — applying from the US in advance, notarized copies of ID, expedited processing — and most of them do not work. This is what actually works.
The one rule US couples miss
A US marriage licence is not valid in Ontario. If you’re an American couple planning to elope in Niagara Falls, you must get an Ontario marriage licence from an Ontario city hall before your ceremony. A licence from New York, Pennsylvania, or anywhere else in the United States does not work here. The Ontario Marriage Act governs marriages performed in the province, and only a licence issued under that Act is valid.
This is the single most common reason we see ceremonies delayed or moved. Book your city-hall licence appointment before you book your venue, officiant, or flights.
What it costs and how long it’s valid
- Fee: the Ontario Marriage Act leaves licence fees to each municipality, so the number you’ll actually pay depends on where you apply. In the Niagara Region, most offices still charge $125 CAD in 2026 (Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Port Colborne, Fort Erie). Toronto raised its fee to $180 CAD as of April 2026 (previously $160). Brampton charges $175 CAD, Mississauga charges $145 CAD, Hamilton $140 CAD. Always confirm the current number on the issuing city’s website before your appointment — municipalities can change the fee without notice.
- Payment: cash or Canadian debit only at most Niagara Region city halls. A handful of larger offices (Toronto, Ottawa) accept Visa/Mastercard; US credit cards, US currency, and personal cheques are generally rejected.
- Validity: 90 days from the date of issue. If you don’t marry within 90 days, the licence expires and cannot be refunded.
- Non-refundable: Once issued, Ontario marriage licences are not refunded — even if the wedding is cancelled.
- Why the fee varies: the Marriage Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3, s. 10) delegates licence issuance to municipal clerks. Each municipality’s by-law sets the fee. The Niagara municipal cluster has held steady at $125; the GTA ring has drifted upward through 2025–2026 to recover administrative costs.
ID you need to bring
Both partners must appear in person at the municipal office with two pieces of original identification each. At least one piece must be:
- a birth certificate
- a change of name certificate
- a current passport
- a record of immigrant landing
- a Canadian Citizenship Card
- adoption papers
The second piece must be government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s licence or a provincial health card. Copies, digital scans, and expired IDs are rejected.
If you were previously married
- Divorced in Canada: Bring the original or court-certified copy of the divorce decree.
- Divorced outside Canada: You need an authorization letter from the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General before the licence can be issued. This adds 2 to 4 weeks. Start early.
- Widowed: Bring the death certificate of your former spouse.
Where to apply in the Niagara Region
Any Ontario municipal office can issue an Ontario marriage licence. Popular Niagara offices for destination couples:
- City of Niagara Falls, 4310 Queen Street
- City of St. Catharines, 50 Church Street
- Town of Fort Erie, 1 Municipal Centre Drive
Walk-ins are accepted at most offices during business hours, though several now require a booking. Call ahead the week you arrive.
Two traps beyond the licence itself
- The 90-day clock starts the day you apply, not the day you arrive. If you apply at your home in the United States, the City of Niagara Falls cannot mail you a licence — you or your partner must appear in person. The calendar only starts when the licence is in your hand.
- Same-sex couples: check recognition at home. Ontario has recognized same-sex marriage since 2003 and it is fully legal under Canadian federal law. But your home country may not recognize it, which affects tax filing, spousal immigration, and asset transfers. Guides on that fill the Assets pillar.
Quick checklist
- Confirm your wedding date
- Book a city-hall appointment 1-2 weeks before your preferred licence date
- Bring original ID for both partners (no copies)
- Bring the correct fee in CAD cash or Canadian debit ($125 in Niagara Region; confirm your municipality’s current by-law — Toronto $180 as of Apr 2026, Brampton $175, Mississauga $145, Hamilton $140)
- If previously married outside Canada, start the Attorney General authorization 4+ weeks out
- Schedule the ceremony within the 90-day licence window
The cost of getting this wrong is a postponed wedding and a non-refundable $125 plus whatever deposits you’ve put down on the venue and officiant. The cost of getting it right is an afternoon at city hall.
If any of this applies to a situation more complicated than a simple elopement — blended assets, immigration status, a pending divorce, or property in multiple countries — talk to a family lawyer licensed in Ontario before the ceremony. The marriage changes your legal position the moment it’s registered, and some of those changes are not reversible.
