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

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 London, from applying to collecting the licence, in plain steps.

At a glance

Where

City Clerk's Office, London City Hall, 300 Dufferin Avenue, 3rd floor, London

Booking

Use your reference number to book a licence pickup appointment. The City says walk-ins are welcome, but appointments receive priority service.

Fee

$140 (the City's page was last modified June 24, 2026)

Payment

Cash, debit, Visa or Mastercard.

Who attends

If you uploaded your documents online and they meet the requirements, only one applicant needs to attend with two original IDs. If not, both of you attend.

Valid for

Valid for 90 days from issue, in Ontario only.

Same day?

The City says no waiting period applies, and the licence takes about 15 to 20 minutes if your ID and documents are in order.

Step by step

1. Apply. Complete the online application first. You receive a confirmation email with a reference number.
2. Book or plan your visit. Use your reference number to book a licence pickup appointment. The City says walk-ins are welcome, but appointments receive priority service.
3. Gather your ID and documents. See the list below. Bring originals.
4. Attend and pay. If you uploaded your documents online and they meet the requirements, only one applicant needs to attend with two original IDs. If not, both of you attend. Cash, debit, Visa or Mastercard.
5. 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 from issue, in Ontario only.

What to bring

• Two original valid government-issued IDs, at least one with photo. No photocopies or scans.
• A middle name appears on the licence only if it is on both IDs.
• A Canadian divorce needs an original or court-certified Certificate of Divorce or Final Decree. A judgment or order alone is not accepted.
• A foreign divorce needs validation from the Office of the Registrar General.
• If you are 16 or 17, your parents or guardians attend to swear consent before a Commissioner of Oaths.

Good to know

• The City says there are no gender, residency, citizenship or medical requirements.
• If you cannot understand English, bring your own interpreter with ID.

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 London. Our Ontario licence guide and legal marriage vs religious-only nikah explain the rest.

A few common questions

Details come from the City of London's own website, checked in October 2026. Fees, hours and booking rules change, so confirm before you go. London's marriage licence page. City contact: 519-661-4530 or marriage@london.ca. This guide is general information, not legal advice.