Licences & Certificates

 Birth & Death Certificates
All births and deaths in Ontario are registered with the Office of the Registrar General.

Online certificates and forms are available through Service Ontario.

Birth certificate

Apply online at Service Ontario for a Birth Certificate.

Death certificate

Apply online at Service Ontario for a Death Certificate.

Please visit the Office of the Registrar General website for more information and contact details.

 Business Licences

The City of Port Colborne requires municipal business licences for the following businesses: 

  • Bed and Breakfast Establishments
  • Garages
  • Hawkers and Peddlers (including food trucks and vending carts)
  • Kennels (for properties that house more than three dogs)
  • Lodging Houses
  • Trailer Camps

For more information on how to apply and for applications, please visit our Business Licence page.

 Dog Licences

DocuPet Inc. manages dog licensing in the City of Port Colborne.  

How to License your pet

Visit DocuPet for more information on how to license your pet:

  • online
  • by phone
  • by mail
  • or in person 

You are not allowed to have more than three (3) dogs, excluding unweaned puppies, on any property in the City of Port Colborne. If you own more than three dogs, you may qualify for a kennel licence.

 Liquor Licences 

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for administering the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA) which, together with its regulations and the standards and requirements established by the Registrar, establishes the licensing and regulatory regime for most aspects relating to the sale, service and delivery of liquor in Ontario. 

Liquor Sales Licences

To obtain a Liquor Sales Licence or an Amendment to an existing Liquor Sales Licence, business owners begin their application online with the AGCO here. 

As part of this application, business owners are required to submit their Municipal Information Form and floor plan of the premises to the City Clerk for approval. 

Complete this Municipal Information Form Submission to Municipality form to provide these documents. 

Please allow 3 weeks for processing.

All signed approval letters, including the signed Municipal Information Form, will be returned to the applicant, which must then be shared with the AGCO through the iAGCO portal.

Liquor Sales Licences - Temporary Patio Extensions

*New* January 1, 2023

Liquor Sales Licensees are required to get approval from the municipality for a Temporary Patio Extension to extend their Liquor Sales Licence. 

This is to license an area directly next to a licensed establishment, whether the extension encroaches onto City Property or is set up on Private Property.

Temporary Patio Extensions may be permitted for up to a maximum of eight (8) months per calendar year.

Complete this Temporary Patio Extension Application Form to apply.

Please allow 3 weeks for processing.

TIP: Apply by April 4, 2025 to have your patio licensed for the last weekend in April.

Approvals are then submitted to the AGCO by the applicant and must also be attached to the original Liquor Sales Licence.

Liquor Sales Licences - Temporary Patio Extensions for Canal Days

Liquor Sales Licensees are required to get approval from the municipality for a Temporary Patio Extension to extend their Liquor Sales Licence.

This specific temporary licence allows your customers to take drinks purchased from your establishment into the contained space of the City of Port Colborne's Special Occasion Permit (SOP) during Canal Days only (August 1-4, 2025). 

To take part you must: 

1. Submit your Public Event Agreement, in person, to the City Clerk by July 4, 2025

  • To book an appointment to sign and submit your Public Event Agreement, call 905-228-8115
    • Hard copies will be available at City Hall at the time of signing
  • Proof of identity will be required (ie: Driver's Licence, Passport, Ontario Photo card) 

2. Complete this Canal Days Temporary Patio Extension Application Form by July 4, 2025

Please allow 3 weeks for processing. 

Approvals must be attached to the original Liquor Sales Licence.

Special Occasion Permits - Private Events

To obtain your Private Special Occasion Permit with the AGCO, you are also required to notify the municipality if the event is set to take place outdoors. 

Complete the Special Occasion Permit Notification to Municipality Form to make this notification to the City of Port Colborne.

This form is used for the following scenarios: 

  • If alcohol is being served at a private event unless the event is set to occur in a home or space that wouldn't normally be rented out to, or used by, the public. 
  • If alcohol is being sold at a private place, unless the event is already being held at a place that has a catering endorsement.

Special Occasion Permits - Public Events

A Public Special Occasion Permit is available from the AGCO for the following types of events: 

  • General Public Event
  • Industry Promotional Event
  • Tailgate Party

To obtain your Public Special Occasion Permit, the AGCO requires you to notify the municipality if your event is set to take place outdoors.

Additionally, the AGCO may require you to obtain Municipal Resolution of the event as 'Municipally Significant'.

  • Please note: Per By-law 6048/14/14 "Event of Municipal Significance" means an event "that would benefit the residents and communities within the Municipality of Port Colborne, and as such would be a bona fide municipal function under the control of the Municipal Council or a Council approved (by resolution) registered charitable or not for profit responsible corporation wishing to offer alcohol in support of its community wide event".

Complete the Public Special Occasion Permit Notification Form to notify the City of your event and/or make a request to the City of Port Colborne for Municipal Resolution.

Please allow 3 weeks for processing.

Municipal Resolution must be uploaded to the iAGCO portal. 

 

 Lottery Licence

You can apply for a lottery licence in the City of Port Colborne if you represent a charitable or religious organization. The Government of Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulate lottery licensing in Ontario.

For more information on applications for lottery licences and lottery reporting, please visit our Lottery Licence page.

 Marriage Licence

If you plan to get married in Ontario, you can get a marriage licence at Port Colborne City Hall. We issue Marriage Licences between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

 

The City of Port Colborne offers Civil Marriage solemnization services. Please visit our Civil Marriage Ceremonies page for more information.

Permits

 Building Permits
The Building Department is responsible for issuing building permits in accordance with the Ontario Building Code Act, the Building By-law and other applicable regulations. You can find a more detailed list of projects that require a building permit on the building permit page. When a permit is required for a project, no construction can begin until a building permit has been issued and picked up.

 Municipal Consent Permits
You must apply for a Municipal Consent Permit if you plan to start any work, or place any items or equipment within the City of Port Colborne's road allowance, known as the right-of-way. This permit application is generally required for actions such as:
  • requesting new services to your property line
  • installing or widening a driveway entrance
  • curb cuts
  • installing a new culvert

Please visit the City's Municipal Consent Permit page for more details.

Grants

 Non-profit organization and service club grants
The City of Port Colborne welcomes non-profit organizations and service clubs serving the needs of the residents of Port Colborne to apply for a discretionary grant based on the provisions included in the Grant Policy.  Please visit the City's Grants page for more details.

 Business incentives and grants

The City of Port Colborne and the governments of Ontario and Canada offer a range incentive programs for new or expanding businesses. The programs outlined on the City's Economic & Development page are all available in Port Colborne, and most can be stacked together to provide a compelling package for investments in the manufacturing or logistics sectors. 

To learn more about investing in Port Colborne, please visit the City's Economic and Development page.