Thousand Islands elopement permits span an unusual mix of jurisdictions, because the destination straddles the Canada-United States border and includes national park land, private island estates, and provincial waters. Understanding which applies to your chosen location, before booking, prevents arriving at Boldt Castle to find a ceremony required arrangements you had not made.

Thousand Islands National Park

Thousand Islands National Park, Canada’s smallest national park, comprises a scattering of islands and mainland sites along the St. Lawrence and is governed by Parks Canada. A ceremony at a park site requires a Parks Canada permit, and commercial photography may require its own. As with the larger national parks, this means advance application and choosing from approved locations.

Couple in wedding attire on a dock beside calm water with islands behind — Thousand Islands National Park, Canada’s smallest, comprises islands and mainland sites along the St. Lawrence and is governed by Parks Canada. A ceremony at a park site requires a permit and advance application, choosing from the approved locations within the park

Boldt Castle and Private Estates

Boldt Castle sits on Heart Island on the American side of the border and is operated by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, with its own events and wedding booking process. A ceremony or photography session at the castle is arranged directly with the authority and involves crossing into the United States, so passports and border logistics are part of the plan. Other private island estates each have their own arrangements.

Couple in wedding attire embracing on a historic stone balcony — Boldt Castle sits on the American side and is operated by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority with its own booking process, so a ceremony there involves crossing the border, with passports and customs part of the plan. Other private island estates each have their own separate arrangements

Photography and the Water

Much of the Thousand Islands experience happens on or beside the water, which adds boat access and water-based logistics to the photography. Commercial photography in the national park may require a permit, and boat charters are often part of reaching the best island locations. Many regional elopement photographers know the water and the access well and coordinate this as part of their service.

Couple in wedding attire walking together along a shoreline at sunset — Much of the Thousand Islands experience happens on the water, which adds boat access to the photography. Commercial photography in the national park may require a permit, and many regional photographers know the water and the island access well, coordinating boat charters as part of their service

Ontario Marriage Requirements

To marry on the Canadian side you need an Ontario marriage licence, available from a municipal clerk for approximately $145, valid anywhere in Ontario with no waiting period or residency requirement. The ceremony must be performed by a registered officiant and witnessed by two people. For a ceremony at Boldt Castle on the American side, New York State marriage requirements apply instead, which is a separate process worth confirming early.

Couple in wedding attire exchanging vows surrounded by forest — An Ontario marriage licence costs around $145 from a municipal clerk, with no waiting period or residency requirement. A ceremony at Boldt Castle on the American side falls under New York State requirements instead, a separate process, so confirm which side of the border your ceremony is on early

What You Actually Need

For a Thousand Islands elopement: determine which side of the border your ceremony is on and obtain the correct marriage licence, book an officiant registered in that jurisdiction, secure any Parks Canada or Boldt Castle permits, arrange boat access if needed, confirm your photographer holds the relevant permits, and arrange two witnesses. The border and the water are the two factors that make early planning essential here.