Toronto, ON

How to get married in Toronto: licence, ceremony and certificate guide

Last updated: 2026 • Official Source ↗

Quick answer

Toronto: To get married in Toronto, complete the online marriage licence application, print and sign it in ink, book an in-person licence appointment, and pay the $180 fee. The licence is valid anywhere in Ontario for 90 days, but the licence appointment is not the ceremony; you still need an authorized officiant, two witnesses, and a separate ceremony plan.

License Fee

$180 CAD

Wait Time

no waiting period

Valid For

90 Days
Ranked #25 of 30 by lowest listed cost, above the $142 average
Same-day available — No waiting period required

Toronto marriage licence cost and wait time

Toronto's listed marriage licence fee is $180 CAD. There is no waiting period, and the legal document or notice path has a 90 Days planning window. Compared with the Canada city average of $142 CAD, Toronto is $38 CAD above average and ranks 25 of 30 for lowest listed cost.

Courthouse or city hall wedding in Toronto

If you are searching for a courthouse wedding in Toronto, start with the marriage licence or required legal paperwork. Civil ceremony appointments, city hall options, officiants, and return rules are handled locally, so confirm ceremony availability with the official office before choosing a date.

Official details can change without much notice. Treat this as a planning guide and verify with the linked office before you apply.

Toronto licence, civil wedding and certificate path

Toronto couples complete the online marriage licence application, print and sign it in original ink, attend an in-person appointment, and pay the $180 fee. After the separate ceremony, the officiant sends the completed licence for provincial registration, and the couple orders the official marriage certificate later.

Licence fee$180 CAD
Licence locationsToronto City Hall or North York Civic Centre
Validity90 days, anywhere in Ontario
WitnessesTwo physically present witnesses
Civil ceremonySeparate from licence appointment
CertificateOrdered after registration

Official Source ↗

Toronto marriage licence and civil ceremony options

Toronto couples often compare how-to, licence, city hall and court-marriage paths. The useful path is licence first, then a separate ceremony decision with the City, an authorized officiant, or a rented civic chamber.

OptionBest forVerified facts
Toronto marriage licenceCouples who need the legal licence before any ceremony$180 listed fee, online form plus in-person appointment, valid for 90 days
City civil ceremony or civic chamberCouples looking for a city-run or city-space wedding pathNorth York civil wedding pilot and civic centre chamber rentals have separate booking and fee rules
Authorized officiant ceremonyCouples who want a ceremony outside city facilitiesOntario requires an authorized officiant and two physically present witnesses

Toronto marriage licence checklist

The licence is the legal permission to marry; it is not the wedding ceremony or the final certificate.

Source-backed check: Toronto says applicants must complete the online form, print and sign it in original ink, book an in-person appointment, bring two original IDs for each applicant, and pay the $180 licence fee.

Official sources: Toronto marriage licence applicationToronto preparing to get married

Toronto City Hall, civic chamber or private officiant

This is the decision point after the licence is handled.

Source-backed check: Toronto says the licence appointment is only for the licence, the ceremony is separate, two witnesses are needed, and civic centre chamber rentals do not include an authorized marriage officiant.

OptionBest forWhat to verify
North York civil wedding pilotCouples who want a City of Toronto civil ceremony pathConsultation/booking details, witness fee if needed, available dates
Civic centre wedding chamber rentalCouples with an officiant who need a city-operated roomRoom-only rental; Toronto says the officiant is not included
Private authorized officiantCouples who want a home, restaurant, park, venue, or simple signing-style ceremonyOfficiant authorization, total fee, witnesses, and certificate registration timing

Official sources: Toronto preparing to get married

After the ceremony: record and certificate

The marriage certificate is the proof document people usually need after the ceremony.

Source-backed check: Toronto explains that the officiant completes the licence, gives the couple a Record of Solemnization that is not an official certificate, and sends the completed licence to the Province of Ontario. The marriage certificate is ordered later from ServiceOntario, typically after the marriage is registered.

DocumentWhen it appearsWhat it is for
Marriage licenceBefore the ceremonyPermission to marry in Ontario within 90 days
Record of SolemnizationAt the ceremonyKeepsake/record from the officiant; not the official certificate
Marriage certificateAfter provincial registrationOfficial proof of marriage ordered from ServiceOntario

Official sources: Toronto certificate guidanceServiceOntario marriage certificate

Toronto courthouse wedding planning notes

People searching for Toronto Civil Marriage Ceremony usually need three answers in one place: how to get the marriage licence, whether an official ceremony is actually available, and how to get proof after the signed record is filed. Treat those as separate steps before you book travel, photos or a small reception.

Source-backed check: CivillyWed uses the linked official source as the final reference for Toronto, ON fees, timing and filing details.

Official Source ↗

License, ceremony and records: what to settle first

Toronto searches often collapse the legal paperwork and the ceremony into one phrase. Separating them makes the plan easier and helps avoid paying for an officiant or photographer before the legal date is usable.

Source-backed check: The official The City of Toronto page should answer the legal rules; use this guide to organize the questions before you contact the office.

QuestionWhy it matters
Where do we apply for the marriage licence?The issuing office controls ID rules, fee, waiting period, validity and whether an appointment or online pre-application is required.
Who can perform the ceremony?Some locations offer a judge, clerk, commissioner, justice or city hall ceremony; others only issue the license and require a separate authorized officiant.
What happens if the official ceremony is full?A private authorized officiant may be the simplest backup if the license can be used at another location in the same jurisdiction.
When can we order proof?Certified-copy timing matters when the marriage record is needed quickly for legal, travel or administrative changes.

Official Source ↗

How to get married in Toronto, ON

Start by confirming eligibility, gathering the documents listed below, and applying through the official marriage licence path. In Toronto, ON, the listed fee is $180 CAD, there is no waiting period, and the document or notice path is valid for 90 Days.

Marriage licence in ON (Ontario)

Toronto, ON follows the marriage licence rules for ON (Ontario). The city guide below focuses on local office details, documents, timing, and ceremony planning, while the linked official source should be checked before you apply.

Toronto planning questions covered

Use these topics to check the legal step, ceremony choice, timing, records and proof before a courthouse, city hall, or civil wedding appointment.

how to get married in Torontocity of Toronto marriage licencecourt marriage TorontoToronto civil marriagetoronto civil marriage ceremonytoronto marriage licencetoronto civil ceremony

Overview

The City of Toronto issues marriage licences by online application plus in-person appointment. The licence appointment is not the wedding ceremony; couples still need an authorized officiant, two physically present witnesses, and a separate ceremony plan.

1

Requirements

2

Process

01

Complete Online Application

Complete Toronto's online marriage licence application within 90 days before the intended ceremony.

02

Print and Sign

Print the application and have both applicants sign and date it in original ink.

03

Attend Licence Appointment

Book and attend an in-person appointment at Toronto City Hall or North York Civic Centre with ID, supporting documents and payment.

04

Book Separate Ceremony

Arrange a civil ceremony, civic chamber rental, or authorized private officiant. Toronto says the licence appointment is only for the licence.

05

Order Certificate Later

After the officiant sends the completed licence for registration, order the official marriage certificate from ServiceOntario when available.

How Toronto compares

CityLicense FeeWait Time
Toronto$180 CADno waiting period
Kitchener, ON$180 CADno waiting period
Hamilton, ON$178 CADno waiting period
Brampton, ON$175 CADno waiting period
Guelph, ON$165 CADno waiting period

Newly expanded courthouse wedding guides

These recently added city guides now feed the homepage search, fee graphs, country hubs, state pages, money pages, sitemap and internal links.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a marriage licence in Toronto?

The listed marriage licence fee for Toronto is $180 CAD. Fees can change, so verify the amount with the official office before applying.

How long does it take to get a marriage licence in Toronto?

Toronto: There is no waiting period. If you are planning a civil or courthouse wedding, build that timing into your date planning.

Can you have a courthouse wedding in Toronto?

Courthouse, city hall, or civil ceremony availability depends on the local office. The marriage licence or required legal paperwork is the first step; use the official source to confirm ceremony appointments and local rules.

How do you get married in Toronto?

Complete the online marriage licence application, book the in-person licence appointment, pay the listed fee, then have a separate ceremony with an authorized officiant and two witnesses while the licence is valid.

How much is a Toronto marriage licence?

Toronto currently lists the marriage licence fee as $180, paid at the in-person appointment. The fee is non-refundable.

Is the Toronto licence appointment the same as getting married?

No. Toronto says the appointment is to get the marriage licence only. You must arrange a separate marriage ceremony.

Do both people need to attend the Toronto licence appointment?

Toronto says only one applicant must attend if the application is printed and signed in original ink by both applicants and the attending person brings ID for each applicant. If the application needs to be printed at the appointment, both applicants must attend to sign.

Do you need witnesses for a Toronto marriage ceremony?

Yes. Toronto says two witnesses are needed and must be physically present at the ceremony.

Can we have a courthouse wedding in Toronto?

Start with the The City of Toronto. Some offices perform ceremonies, some only issue the marriage licence, and some require a separate judge, clerk, commissioner, justice or authorized private officiant.

Is the marriage licence the same as the toronto civil marriage ceremony ceremony?

No. The marriage licence is the legal permission or record step. The ceremony is the solemnization step, and it may require a separate appointment, fee, witness plan or officiant.

How early should we plan a toronto civil marriage ceremony?

Plan around the timing shown here: no waiting period and a 90 Days validity window. Then confirm appointment availability, ceremony openings and certified-copy timing with the official office.

Is there a waiting period?

Toronto does not list a post-licence waiting period, but the licence must be used within 90 days and a separate ceremony must be arranged.

Do I need to be a Canadian citizen?

No, anyone can marry in Ontario regardless of citizenship or residency.

Do both people need to appear?

Toronto says one applicant may attend if the printed application has original ink signatures from both applicants and the attending person brings ID for both. If the application must be printed at the appointment, both applicants must attend to sign.

Is the marriage licence the same as a marriage certificate?

No. Toronto says the licence is needed before the ceremony. The marriage certificate is official proof of marriage and is ordered after the ceremony is registered.

Do I need witnesses?

Yes. Toronto says two witnesses are needed and must be physically present at the ceremony.