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: 

  • 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 - 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. 

Complete this Temporary Patio Extension Application Form to apply.

Approvals are then submitted to the AGCO by the applicant. 

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.

 

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.