Is there a fee to register my mortgage in Ontario and who pays it?

Yes, registering a mortgage on title in Ontario involves a government land registration fee. When a lender provides financing, the mortgage is registered as a charge against the property at the Ontario land registry office. This is how the lender's security interest in the property is formally recorded.

The registration fee is a disbursement that your lawyer pays and then bills back to you as the buyer. It is separate from your lawyer's professional fee. The amount is set by the provincial government and based on the value of the mortgage being registered.

In addition to the mortgage registration fee, there is also a fee for registering the transfer of the property itself (the deed) into your name. Both registration fees are handled electronically through Ontario's Teranet land registration system. Your lawyer will include both amounts in the closing statement. These fees are not large compared to land transfer tax or legal professional fees, but they are real costs that add to your closing budget. Ask your lawyer to identify each disbursement line item so you understand exactly what you are paying for.