How to Elope in Canada: Elopements and Micro Weddings

To elope in Canada, you need three things: a marriage licence (or in Québec, a published notice) from the province where you'll marry, a licensed officiant, and two witnesses. That's the whole legal list. Everything else, from the guest list to the outfit to the view, is yours to decide. The one thing to watch is timing: most licences last about three months, and Québec needs a 20 day public notice, so sort the paperwork early and the romance can take care of itself.

My mom Debi and I love a small wedding. A short guest list has a way of making every word of the vows land. Here's how to plan one calmly.

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Elopement, micro wedding or courthouse wedding?

These words get used loosely, and none of them is a legal category. Here's how most couples use them:

✦Elopement: just you two, plus the people the law requires.
✦Micro wedding: a small guest list, often immediate family and your closest friends, with a meal or a little party after.
✦Courthouse or city hall wedding: a civil ceremony booked through a city or court, short and simple.

If the courthouse route appeals, our guide to city hall and courthouse weddings in Canada covers how it works in eight cities, with fees and booking rules.

Licence timing, province by province

Get your licence in the province where you'll say your vows. Alberta and Manitoba, for example, say theirs are only valid for ceremonies held there.

✦Ontario: valid for 3 months from the day it's issued. Applying online needs at least 1 business day before the wedding, and one of you picks it up in person.
✦British Columbia: buy it within the 3 months before your wedding. It costs $100 and there's no waiting period.
✦Alberta: you both apply in person at a registry agent. There's no waiting period, and it's valid for 3 months.
✦Québec: instead of a licence, your officiant publishes a notice for 20 days, and the wedding must happen within 3 months after that.
✦Manitoba: both of you buy it, in person, at least 24 hours before the ceremony. It's valid for 3 months.
✦Nova Scotia: valid for 3 months. For a civil ceremony, the province's court services page says the licence must reach your officiant at least three days before.

Witnesses, even for two

Even the smallest elopement needs two witnesses. Every province we checked asks for two, and the age rules vary:

✦British Columbia: over age 19.
✦Alberta: 18 or older, and physically present. No video calls.
✦Nova Scotia: at least 16.
✦Québec: a child can be a witness if they are old enough to understand the role.
✦Ontario: the province's page doesn't set an age, but city civil programs set their own. Toronto's asks for witnesses who are at least 16, so ask your officiant.

If it's truly just you two, ask your officiant what they suggest. Toronto's civil wedding program can even provide a witness for a fee.

Choosing your officiant

For a non-religious ceremony, your options depend on the province:

✦Alberta and British Columbia: marriage commissioners authorized by the province. In B.C., a commissioner's base fee is $75 plus GST ($78.75) for one hour, and extra time and mileage can be added.
✦Ontario: civil marriages can be performed by a municipal clerk or their delegate, a judge, an associate judge or a justice of the peace, among others. Ontario suggests asking your local city hall, town hall or municipal office whether they offer civil ceremonies.
✦Québec: besides court clerks and notaries, a relative or friend can apply to be a designated officiant for your day. There's no solemnization fee with a designated officiant, though the application has its own steps.

You can also browse officiants on OpenDates and see who still has your date open. Ask whether they'll come to a park, a backyard or a lookout.

Where to say "I do"

A small guest list opens up places a big wedding never could. A few ideas, in general terms:

✦A city park or conservatory. Many cities rent out park spots by the hour. Toronto, for example, lists park ceremony sites at $260.07 per hour, taxes included. Check your city's rules before you plan.
✦A restaurant's private room. Ceremony and dinner in one place, with no rentals to organize.
✦A winery, inn or small venue that hosts intimate ceremonies on quieter days.
✦A backyard that means something to your family.
✦City hall, if you love the history and the simplicity.

Our small wedding ideas are full of ways to make an intimate day feel generous.

Photos: the one thing we'd never skip

When the guest list is tiny, photos are how everyone else gets to be there. Even an hour of coverage gives you the vows, a few family portraits and a walk somewhere pretty. When I checked in late October 2026, photographers and videographers on OpenDates had more than 1,800 open dates in the next three months, so you have real choice even on short notice.

Ask whether they offer a short elopement booking, and exactly what it includes.

A simple timeline

✦Three months or more out: choose your date and place, then book your officiant and photographer. In Québec, talk to your officiant now about the 20 day notice.
✦Within three months of the date: get your licence, timed to your province's rules.
✦The week before: confirm your witnesses, gather ID and send the officiant your final timing.
✦After the ceremony: your officiant sends the registration to the province. Ordering your marriage certificate comes after that.

A Friday or Sunday can make every part of this easier. Our piece on Friday and Sunday weddings explains why.

Frequently asked questions

Can we elope in Canada with no guests at all?

You can skip guests, but not witnesses. The provinces we checked all ask for two witnesses at the ceremony, plus your officiant.

How soon can we get married after getting a licence?

Alberta and British Columbia have no waiting period. Manitoba asks you to buy the licence at least 24 hours ahead, and Ontario's online route needs at least 1 business day. In Québec, plan for the 20 day notice.

Do we need a licence to elope in Québec?

Québec works differently. Your officiant publishes a notice of your marriage for 20 days, and the province advises filing several weeks before the date.

Small day, big love

Eloping isn't about doing less. It's about keeping what matters most to you two and letting the rest go. On OpenDates you can see which officiants, photographers and venues are free on your date before you write to anyone. It is free for couples, always.

See who's free on your date →

Rules and fees can change. Please confirm the details with your province, your city and your officiant before you book.

Happy planning! Kristina

Sources

Checked October 2026.

Photos from Pexels.