Guide
Marriage licence fees and city hall weddings in Ontario: 18 areas compared (2026)
In short
In 2026, a marriage licence in Ontario costs between $125 (Stratford) and $205 (Collingwood, for non-residents), depending on the municipality that issues it, and most of the 18 areas we compared charge between $140 and $190. The Province sets a $75 licence fee, and municipalities may add their own administrative fees. The licence is valid for 3 months and can be used anywhere in Ontario.
Written by Sofiane B. · Founder, Celebrance
- Lowest licence fee
- $125 (Stratford)
- Highest licence fee
- $205 (Collingwood, non-residents)
- Provincial licence fee
- $75
- Licence validity
- 3 months from issue
On this page
How much does a marriage licence cost in Ontario in 2026?
Between $125 and $205, depending on the municipality that issues it. In the 18 cities and areas we compared, the lowest fee is $125 in Stratford and the highest is $205 in Collingwood, which charges non-residents more than residents ($165). Ottawa's fee is $192.14, and most areas charge between $140 and $190.
Some municipalities also reduce the fee: Kingston charges $94 instead of $188 to eligible residents enrolled in its Municipal Fee Assistance Program.
How do the 18 areas compare?
The table shows each licence fee as published in September 2026, where to apply, and whether the municipality itself performs civil ceremonies.
City or area | Licence fee | Where to apply | Civil ceremony by the municipality | Ceremony fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Barrie | $145 | Service Barrie, City Hall; ServiceOntario online first | Not offered | — |
Brampton | $175 | City Hall; online form, then appointment or walk-in | Yes | $395.50 incl. HST |
Cambridge | $187 | Service Cambridge, City Hall; ServiceOntario online first | Yes | $406 ($164 admin + $242 officiant) |
Collingwood | $165 residents, $205 non-residents | Town Hall; appointment only | Yes, 2026 fully booked | $310 |
Guelph | $165 | City Hall; upload online, then appointment | No appointments April to December 2026 | — |
Kawartha Lakes | $150 | City Hall, Lindsay; Friday appointments only | Yes, limited in 2026 | $300 (weekdays at City Hall) |
Kingston | $188 | City Hall; ServiceOntario online first | Yes | $350 |
Kitchener | $180 | City Hall; walk-in, or ServiceOntario online then appointment | Not published | — |
London | $140 | City Hall; online portal, then walk-in or appointment | Yes | $275 + HST |
Mississauga | $165 | Civic Centre; online form, then appointment | Yes | $391.04 incl. tax, plus room rental |
Muskoka | $161 to $181, by town | Each town office; online application, then appointment | Gravenhurst only | $360 + HST |
Orillia | $169 | City Centre; ServiceOntario online first | Not offered | — |
Ottawa | $192.14 | Client Service Centre; online request form first | Yes | $168 + HST weekdays, $252 + HST Friday evening and Saturday |
Peterborough | $150 | City Hall; online form, appointment by phone | Yes, 2026 fully booked | $360 + HST |
Prince Edward County | $140 | Shire Hall, Picton; paper form, appointment | Yes | $350 + tax (Shire Hall), $550 + tax (Macaulay Heritage Park) |
Stratford | $125 | City Hall; appointment, then online form within 7 days | Yes | $339 incl. HST |
The Blue Mountains | $170 | Town Hall, Thornbury; ServiceOntario online or paper form | Not taking new bookings | $270 at Town Hall |
Waterloo | $149 | City Hall; online form, then walk-in | Yes | $190, or $315 with the licence |
In Muskoka, the licence costs $170 in Bracebridge, $181 in Huntsville and $161 in Gravenhurst.
Why do licence fees differ from one city to another?
Because each municipality sets its own fee. The Province charges a $75 provincial licence fee, and municipalities may add their own administrative fees. The Province notes that eligible couples can have the $75 waived, if both are registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act and live in Ontario on reserve or Crown lands, but that municipal administrative fees may still apply. The municipal part is set locally, which explains the $80 gap between Stratford and Collingwood's non-resident fee.
Fees also change over time, often on January 1:
- Orillia's fee by-law raises its fees by 2% every January 1.
- Gravenhurst says its fee is subject to change every January 1.
- Waterloo's licence goes from $149 to $155 on January 1, 2027.
- Kingston's civil ceremony fee rises from $350 to $400 on January 1, 2027.
Payment methods vary too: Brampton doesn't take cash, while Orillia and Waterloo take only cash or debit, and Waterloo refuses tap payments.
City hall ceremony or private officiant: which one fits?
A city hall ceremony fits a short, small weekday wedding; a private officiant fits a weekend date, a bigger guest list or your own venue. To compare the costs, see how much a wedding officiant costs in Ontario.
Not every municipality marries couples. Barrie and Orillia don't perform civil ceremonies, nor do Bracebridge and Huntsville in Muskoka. Barrie does rent its City Hall Rotunda on Saturdays, with seating for 80, but you bring your own officiant. Guelph offers no ceremony appointments from April to December 2026, and The Blue Mountains isn't taking new bookings. Collingwood and Peterborough were fully booked for 2026 when we checked, and Kawartha Lakes warns that from August to October 2026, almost all ceremony requests may be denied during the municipal election season.
Where they are offered, city hall ceremonies come with fixed days and guest limits:
Municipality | When | Maximum people |
|---|---|---|
Brampton | Monday to Friday, office hours | 12, including the couple and witnesses |
Cambridge | Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 50 |
Collingwood | Fridays at 2 p.m. | 46 seats |
Gravenhurst (Muskoka) | Business hours at the Municipal Office, or anywhere in the Town | Not published |
Kawartha Lakes | Weekdays; after hours and off-site cost more | 6 to about 25, depending on the room |
Kingston | Set Fridays | 20, including officiant, couple and witnesses |
London | Monday to Friday | 10 for the ceremony only, up to 50 with a reception |
Mississauga | Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Not published |
Ottawa | Weekdays; Friday evenings and Saturdays at City Hall | 10, including officiant and witnesses |
Peterborough | Six set Fridays in 2026 | 10 guests, including 2 witnesses |
Prince Edward County | Fridays, office hours | About 25 to 30 |
Stratford | Business hours, never Mondays or weekends | Not published |
Waterloo | Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Monday to Friday in July and August) | 20, including witnesses |
The format is often set as well. Brampton provides the script, allows no changes and holds ceremonies in English. Waterloo uses one standard script. Ottawa marries couples in English or French, but not bilingually, and its officiants don't travel to private venues. Kingston doesn't allow religious elements, confetti, candles or music.
How far ahead should you apply for your licence?
Within the 3 months before your wedding, since an Ontario licence expires 3 months after it is issued (Ottawa states it as 90 days). Because the licence can be used anywhere in the province, you can apply wherever it is convenient.
Don't wait for the last weeks, though. Guelph warns that appointments can take up to four weeks in spring and summer, Huntsville says its appointments are limited and can't be guaranteed, and Kawartha Lakes issues licences on Fridays only, with documents due by 4:30 p.m. the Monday before. Stratford asks you to complete its online form within 7 days of booking. If you want a city hall ceremony, get the licence first: Ottawa requires a valid licence before you book, and Kingston takes ceremony bookings no less than 14 and no more than 90 days ahead.
Our Ontario marriage licence planner gives you the exact dates for your wedding.
How can Celebrance help?
Celebrance books a private officiant who comes to your venue, on the day you choose. The price is shown upfront, all-in, and if your officiant can't make it on the day, we send a replacement at no cost. See our wedding officiants in Ontario.
Fees checked on September 24, 2026 against each municipality's official website. Fees change, often on January 1: confirm with your municipal office before you apply.
Sources: ontario.ca: getting married · ontario.ca: apply marriage licence online · barrie.ca: marriage licence · barrie.ca: rentals bookings · brampton.ca: marriage licences · brampton.ca: simple civil ceremonies · cambridge.ca: marriage licence · cambridge.ca: marriage weddings · collingwood.ca: marriage licence · guelph.ca: marriage licences · guelph.ca: civil marriage ceremonies · kawarthalakes.ca: marriage licences · kawarthalakes.ca: wedding ceremonies · cityofkingston.ca: marriage licences and ceremonies · kitchener.ca: marriage and divorce · kitchener.ca: wedding venues · london.ca: marriage oaths · mississauga.ca: apply for a marriage licence · mississauga.ca: book a civil marriage ceremony · mississauga.ca: saying i do say it here at mississauga city hall · bracebridge.ca: applications licences and permits · huntsville.ca: marriage licences · gravenhurst.ca: marriage licences · gravenhurst.ca: civil ceremonies · orillia.ca: marriage licences and life events · orillia.civicweb.net: 313094 · ottawa.ca: getting marriage licence · ottawa.ca: requesting civil marriage ceremony · peterborough.ca: marriage licences and ceremonies · thecounty.ca: marriage licence · thecounty.ca: civil marriage ceremonies · stratford.ca: marriage and civil ceremonies · thebluemountains.ca: marriage licence application · thebluemountains.ca: marriage applications civil services · waterloo.ca: apply for a marriage licence · waterloo.ca: get married at city hall · waterloo.ca: fees and charges bylaw.pdf
Frequently asked questions
How much is a marriage licence in Ontario in 2026?
It depends on the municipality. In the 18 areas we compared, fees range from $125 in Stratford to $205 for non-residents in Collingwood. Ottawa charges $192.14, Brampton $175 and Mississauga $165.
Can you get your licence in one city and marry in another?
Yes. An Ontario marriage licence can be used anywhere in the province, so you can apply where it suits you, as long as you marry within 3 months of the issue date.
Which municipalities don't perform civil marriages?
Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge and Huntsville don't. Guelph offers no ceremony appointments from April to December 2026, The Blue Mountains isn't taking new bookings, and Kitchener's pages don't describe a civil ceremony.
How much does a city hall wedding cost in Ontario?
Among the municipalities that offer one, the ceremony fee ranges from $168 plus HST (Ottawa, weekdays) to $550 plus tax (Prince Edward County, at Macaulay Heritage Park), on top of the licence.
How far ahead should you apply for a marriage licence?
No more than 3 months before the wedding, since the licence expires 3 months after it is issued. Leave a few weeks of margin: Guelph warns that appointments can take up to four weeks in spring and summer.