How to Get a Marriage Licence in Hamilton: Step by Step

Published October 17, 2026

If you want your nikah to be a legal marriage in Ontario as well, you need a marriage licence first. Here is how it works in Hamilton, from applying to collecting the licence, in plain steps.

At a glance

Where: Any City of Hamilton Municipal Service Centre
Booking: Walk-in only, with no appointments. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the posted 4:30 pm closing time, since the application can take up to 30 minutes.
Fee: $178 (HST does not apply)
Payment: Cash, money order, debit or credit card.
Who attends: Both of you sign and date the printed form in original ink. If one of you cannot come, the other brings the original signed application and the absent partner's original ID.
Valid for: Valid for 90 days.

Step by step

Apply. Complete and print the application form (PDF) first.
Book or plan your visit. Walk-in only, with no appointments. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the posted 4:30 pm closing time, since the application can take up to 30 minutes.
Gather your ID and documents. See the list below. Bring originals.
Attend and pay. Both of you sign and date the printed form in original ink. If one of you cannot come, the other brings the original signed application and the absent partner's original ID. Cash, money order, debit or credit card.
Give the licence to your officiant. Your imam needs it before the ceremony, and he must be registered to perform legal marriages in Ontario. Valid for 90 days.

What to bring

Two valid original government-issued IDs each, showing legal name and date of birth, with matching names.
At least one ID with your current photo and signature. Health cards and SIN cards are not accepted.
Non-English ID needs a certified written translation.

Good to know

The City says there are no residency or citizenship requirements, and no blood tests or medical certificates.
Bring an interpreter if you cannot read or understand English.
The City's page was last modified April 16, 2025, so check the fee.

Your nikah and the licence

The licence is what makes your marriage legal. Your nikah is the religious ceremony. If your imam is registered with the province, one ceremony can be both. Browse registered officiants or see imams serving Hamilton. Our Ontario licence guide and legal marriage vs religious-only nikah explain the rest.

A few common questions

How much is a marriage licence in Hamilton?

The City lists the licence fee as $178 (HST does not apply). Fees change, so check Hamilton's own page before you go.

Do I need an appointment in Hamilton?

Walk-in only, with no appointments. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the posted 4:30 pm closing time, since the application can take up to 30 minutes.

Can I get my licence in one city and marry in another?

Yes. An Ontario marriage licence can be used anywhere in Ontario, and Ontario has no residency requirement for getting one, so you can apply in any city that issues them. Check how long your licence is valid and plan your ceremony within that time.

Do I need a marriage licence for a nikah?

Only if you want the marriage to be legally registered in Ontario as well. A nikah on its own is religiously valid but is not a legal marriage. If you want both, you need a licence and a registered officiant, and one ceremony can cover both.

Planning a nikah in Hamilton?

Tell us your date and we will help you find an imam, including one who can register the marriage if you want the legal side done the same day.

Request a nikah Imams in Hamilton

Details come from the City of Hamilton's own website, checked in October 2026. Fees, hours and booking rules change, so confirm before you go. Hamilton's marriage licence page. City contact: the City of Hamilton Clerk's Office. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

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