Town of Richmond Hill

Last reviewed: August 10, 2026. Business status: Active.

The current City of Richmond Hill listing is a practical choice for couples searching for a Richmond Hill civil marriage ceremony. The City performs simple, non-denominational ceremonies by appointment at its municipal offices and also provides marriage-licence information and permit-based options for wedding photos and selected outdoor ceremonies.

This is a municipal service rather than a full-service reception venue. Couples can use it for the legal ceremony itself, then make separate arrangements for a meal, reception, décor, entertainment or other celebration plans. Last reviewed: August 10, 2026.

Services and specialization

The City of Richmond Hill performs civil marriage ceremonies through its Office of the Clerk. The official service describes these as simple, non-denominational ceremonies that take about 15 minutes. Ceremonies are held at Richmond Hill Municipal Offices, 225 East Beaver Creek Road, and are performed by appointment only.

The City also issues marriage licences and provides a civil-marriage booking form. For couples planning wedding, engagement or family photos in City parks, it publishes a separate photography-permit process. Its official permit page also lists a three-hour wedding ceremony permit at Richmond Green Park. These are distinct services, so confirm which process applies to your plan before booking anything.

• Civil marriage ceremonies at Richmond Hill Municipal Offices
• Marriage-licence appointments and application guidance
• Civil ceremony booking form
• Wedding, engagement and family photography permits
• Richmond Green Park wedding ceremony permits

Service area and who it may suit

This service is for couples planning in Richmond Hill, Ontario who want a legal civil ceremony administered by municipal Clerk staff. It may be particularly suitable for couples seeking a concise legal ceremony before a separate reception, dinner or cultural celebration elsewhere.

It is also relevant to couples who want City-managed outdoor imagery or a permit-based Richmond Green Park ceremony. The City’s photography information identifies several locations for professional shoots, including Richmond Green Park, Amos Wright Park, David Dunlap Observatory Park and Mill Pond Park. Availability, conditions and the appropriate permit must be confirmed directly with the City.

• Couples seeking a municipal civil ceremony
• Couples applying for a Richmond Hill marriage licence
• Couples planning a separate reception elsewhere
• Couples arranging permitted wedding photography in City parks

Confirmed strengths and practical limitations

A confirmed strength is the clear, official process. The City publishes its civil-ceremony schedule, marriage-licence steps, booking requirements and current stated fees. It also permits a photographer at the municipal-office ceremony and provides a dedicated route for park photography and certain outdoor ceremony permits.

The practical limitation is scope. The official information supports a simple legal ceremony, not an all-inclusive wedding package. No reception package, catering, guest capacity, furniture, décor, parking allocation, accessibility arrangement or weather plan is published for the municipal-office ceremony on the reviewed page. Those details, plus any requirements for a chosen park, must be confirmed before invitations or vendor commitments are made.

• Published legal-ceremony and licence process
• Appointment-based booking with Clerk staff
• Separate official permit pathway for City-park photos
• No verified full reception package or venue inclusions
• Specific event logistics require direct confirmation

Pricing

Current wedding pricing is explicitly published for the City’s civil ceremony and selected permit services. Effective January 2026, the City states that a civil ceremony costs $394.00 plus taxes. A marriage licence is an additional $179.00. Two witnesses must attend; the Office of the Clerk can provide witnesses for $36 per witness if needed.

For Richmond Green Park, the official photography-permit page lists a three-hour wedding ceremony permit at $220.21 for Richmond Hill residents and $343.55 for non-residents. Professional photo permits are listed separately: $96.34 for two hours for residents and $149.60 for non-residents. David Dunlap Observatory photo-permit rates are higher and have their own published terms. Confirm all current fees, taxes, cancellation charges and eligibility before proceeding.

• Civil ceremony: $394.00 plus taxes
• Marriage licence: additional $179.00
• City-provided witness: $36 per witness
• Richmond Green Park ceremony permit: published resident and non-resident rates
• Photography permits have separate rates

Contact and booking

To book a civil marriage ceremony, submit the City’s Civil Marriage Booking Form. The City requires confirmation of two dates: the ceremony date and a pre-wedding meeting. It does not hold ceremony times until it has received the necessary booking information and emailed confirmation.

For marriage-licence processing or general questions, contact Access Richmond Hill at 905-771-8800 or access@richmondhill.ca. The City instructs applicants to complete and print the online marriage-licence application, then email their name, phone number and application number to arrange an appointment. Only one person needs to attend that appointment, provided the required paperwork is complete.

• Phone: 905-771-8800
• Email: access@richmondhill.ca
• Civil ceremony: submit the official booking form
• Marriage licence: complete the online application, then arrange an appointment

Timing, requirements and photography

Civil marriage ceremonies are performed only on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., subject to availability; municipal offices are closed on statutory holidays. Pre-wedding meetings are booked Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., also subject to availability. The City asks that the meeting take place at least two weeks before the ceremony so applicable fees, licence steps and ceremony details can be addressed.

The City says that photography associated with a wedding or other event in Richmond Hill parks requires a permit under its by-law. Photo permits are available from May to October. October bookings may be affected by seasonal display removal or weather-related operation of the Richmond Green Waterfall, so couples hoping for a particular visual feature should check conditions when selecting a date.

• Civil ceremonies: Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, subject to availability
• Pre-wedding meetings: Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Two witnesses are required
• Park wedding photography requires a permit
• Photo permits are available May through October

What couples should confirm

Confirm the ceremony date and pre-wedding meeting before treating a time as booked. Ask which original documents, identification and divorce-related records apply to your circumstances. The City notes that an original divorce certificate is required when either party has been previously divorced, while a divorce outside Canada requires foreign divorce authorization before the pre-wedding meeting.

If you plan to use Richmond Green Park or another City location, confirm the exact permit type, availability, location boundaries, guest arrangements, timing, insurance requirements, set-up rules and weather procedures. For photo plans, confirm whether your photographer’s intended activity and location are covered by the selected permit. A park listing or photo location is not, by itself, confirmation of a wedding booking.

• Date availability and written booking confirmation
• Documentation and identification requirements
• Whether a licence is needed for your circumstances
• Exact park or photo-permit scope
• Cancellation, rescheduling and weather terms
• Reception and guest logistics outside the civil ceremony

Continue planning

• Canada Wedding Guide directory
• wedding planning guide
• Canada Wedding Guide blog

Frequently asked questions

Does the City of Richmond Hill perform legal wedding ceremonies?

Yes. The City’s Office of the Clerk performs simple, non-denominational civil marriage ceremonies by appointment at Richmond Hill Municipal Offices.

When are Richmond Hill civil marriage ceremonies available?

The City states that ceremonies are performed on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., subject to availability. A separate pre-wedding meeting is also required.

How much is a civil marriage ceremony in Richmond Hill?

Effective January 2026, the City lists the civil ceremony at $394.00 plus taxes. A marriage licence is an additional $179.00, and City-provided witnesses cost $36 each if required.

Can we bring a photographer to the municipal-office ceremony?

Yes. The City states that couples may bring a photographer to their civil marriage ceremony. Wedding-related photography in Richmond Hill parks requires the applicable permit.

Can we have a wedding ceremony at Richmond Green Park?

The City publishes a three-hour wedding ceremony permit rate for Richmond Green Park. Contact the City to confirm availability, rules and the full requirements for your proposed date and event.

Sources checked

• Marriage and Weddings – City of Richmond Hill
• Photography Permit – City of Richmond Hill
• Applications, Licences and Permits – City of Richmond Hill

Phone: 905-771-8800

Website: https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/online-services/Marriage-and-Weddings.aspx