Getting Married In Russia

[carolbb23]

Thank you for your input, it's nice to know that my case isn't too bad. I did keep miscellaneous tickets and receipts of things we did together (Aquarium/Zoo in St Petersburg, Dog sledding in Helsinki, pictures in front of monuments in Helsinki), as well as hotel confirmations and the like. We also took many pictures to document both those travels. We also have most of our chat log (12+ months worth) of knowing each other and speaking every single day.

Facebook chats help and emails

 

[firewithin6667]

Yeah, unfortunately not all ZAGS in Russia (or simply The Office of Registrar) register marriages between foreigners and russian citizens.

In this case, @firewithin6667 go to another ZAGS in St. Petersburg. I don't know how about now but before it was Wedding palace #2 - tell that to you fiance, she knows what I am talking about. It was only one in St.Peter that does international marriage registration.



The process is correct but SHE CAN apply for the marriage ceremony/certificate WITHOUT you being present (so you can stay in Canada for 30 days while application is being processed). What do you need to do to make it is:
1. Make a copy of your Passport;
2. Get the Certificate of Marital Status to prove freedom to marry at your local Vital Statistics Agency (some provinces can be done via mail) - it may take 3 to 4 weeks;
3. She has to take a copy of marriage application at the ZAGS, scan and send it to you to fill out. (If you don't understand Russian, ask her to help but YOU have to sign it).
Take all THREE of those I described above and certify them in Notary Public and then confirm this certification in the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Canada. After this part is done send this bulk of papers to nearest Embassy of Russia for legalization - it would take about 2 weeks max.
Once you get this paperload back, send it to her via mail (NOT email).
What SHE has to do is:
1. Translate it to Russian (if necessary )and Certify at the Notary Public;
2. Bring it to ZAGS and set the date of the ceremony.
After 30 days, you can get to St. Petersburg and conduct marriage.

Note: Make sure that you name in Passport and in Certificate of Marital Status is the same.
To make sure that this process still works, make her to go to ZAGS and ask if this would work with them.
If she doesn't understand what are you talking about, I translate these steps to Russian special for her.

But
If you ask me, consider all this butthert with translation, obtaining marriage letter from Consular, legalization of your passport and so on, I'd strongly recommend to do this process in Canada. Once you're married to each other on territory of Canada, you can fly back together and make unofficial bridal ceremony in Russia if her family insist so badly on that or whatever reason is.

"2. Get the Certificate of Marital Status to prove freedom to marry at your local Vital Statistics Agency (some provinces can be done via mail) - it may take 3 to 4 weeks;"

Does this mean getting this from my government here would be accepted by the ZAGS? Thanks so much! Sorry for spamming responses!

 

[ZhabaHulk]

First of all let me say, thank you so much for the informative response and for taking your time to help me.

The main problem I am experiencing is that she did go to ZAGS # 2 in St Petersburg (The one in charge of foreign marriages). They told her all I needed was:
1. The marriage letter (Certificate of Non Impediment) that I get from my government. As far as I know, I can get a Statement In Lieu Of Non Impediment To Marriage from my own government: http://international.gc.ca/world-monde/study_work_travel-etude_travail_voyage/authentication-authentification/marriage-mariage.aspx?lang=eng . I can get this letter from my province, but this information directly contradicts with what I've read on Canadian-Russian consulate and embassy websites, as well as what the Canadian Embassy in Moscow has emailed to me. I am thinking that there was a misunderstanding from the ZAGS as to where to get the marriage letter.
2. Visa
3. Copy of Passport
4. ZAGS application (Which my girlfriend said she'd send me)
Since it is the ZAGS who told her one thing, and I am reading another, I am heavily confused. I tried calling the Russian Embassy in Canada, but they answered in Russian (Unfortunately I don't speak it) and promptly hung up. I will try again during the week, perhaps there was a long lunch break.
If what the ZAGS described was wrong, does this mean going to Moscow an inevitability? If so, I would have to fly back to Canada from Moscow, get another visa quickly, and then fly back to St Petersburg to get married once the application is filed and the date set by ZAGS?
Neil

Since you're going to get married in ZAGS and nowhere else (I mean, the Embassy in this matter is no help) you have to obey the ZAGS requirements no any others! Because if you do as Consulate or Embassy ask, you may have problems with ZAGS accepting your application.

Btw, you can ask your fiance to call Russian Embassy in Canada *via internet call, it's cheaper* and ask some questions in Russian. But I think you need to stick with the ZAGS requirements.

Your list is the exact copy of mine except Visa (I don't know why are they asking it, the immigration documents are not their matter to be concerned about), I just described the steps you may consider to take to avoid coming personally for marriage application. In my opinion is a waste of time and flight money.

 

[ZhabaHulk]

"2. Get the Certificate of Marital Status to prove freedom to marry at your local Vital Statistics Agency (some provinces can be done via mail) - it may take 3 to 4 weeks;"
Does this mean getting this from my government here would be accepted by the ZAGS? Thanks so much! Sorry for spamming responses!

It's cool, spam as much as you want

It would be accepted by ZAGS as long as you do certify it at the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Canada -> then legalize it at Embassy of Russia in Canada -> then she translate it in Russian and Notarize it.
Tbh they would accept any paper that has some sort official stamp on it and is written in Russian

 

[ZhabaHulk]

And just to be sure, she might consider to go* to this ZAGS again and ask how she can proceed in case of you are not coming to Moscow to apply! Then they may be won't need your Visa.

*calling them could be a lost cause, those bastards never answer their phone or if they do, they bark back that you have to be there personally for a question.

 

[firewithin6667]

Since you're going to get married in ZAGS and nowhere else (I mean, the Embassy in this matter is no help) you have to obey the ZAGS requirements no any others! Because if you do as Consulate or Embassy ask, you may have problems with ZAGS accepting your application.

Btw, you can ask your fiance to call Russian Embassy in Canada *via internet call, it's cheaper* and ask some questions in Russian. But I think you need to stick with the ZAGS requirements.

Your list is the exact copy of mine except Visa (I don't know why are they asking it, the immigration documents are not their matter to be concerned about), I just described the steps you may consider to take to avoid coming personally for marriage application. In my opinion is a waste of time and flight money.

Thanks so much for confirming that to me. I will trust the ZAGS, and show her the detailed post you sent.

And just to be sure, she might consider to go* to this ZAGS again and ask how she can proceed in case of you are not coming to Moscow to apply! Then they may be won't need your Visa.

*calling them could be a lost cause, those bastards never answer their phone or if they do, they bark back that you have to be there personally for a question.

I think I may have been mistaken on the visa part, my brain is scattered all over the place right now! It's nice to know that I won't have to waste money and go through stress of asking for tons of vacation time just for the marriage letter, and that it can all be done within my province. That's all I really wanted to know. Thank you so much.

 

[firewithin6667]

And just to be sure, she might consider to go* to this ZAGS again and ask how she can proceed in case of you are not coming to Moscow to apply! Then they may be won't need your Visa.

*calling them could be a lost cause, those bastards never answer their phone or if they do, they bark back that you have to be there personally for a question.

In addition, I do think she made it clear and asked about Moscow, and the ZAGS person said it wasn't necessary. I just had to make sure.

 

[ZWB]

Hi guys, I have a very similar situation. I am going to get married at the end of August. But here I need your help for the following questions.

1. I have obtained Statement In Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment from Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. Will this be ok for using in Russia instead of getting the Declaration of Non-Impediment from the Canadian Embassy in Moscow?

2. If the Statement In Lieu I got from Ottawa is good to go then I will need to legalize it by the Russian Embassy in Canada. But you know when we apply for the Statement In Lieu we also need to submit the Statutory Declaration of Single Status to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada right. Do I need to legalize my Statutory Declaration as well?

3. I heard someone mentioned about the Marriage Search Certificate. Do I also need to get such certificate, then have it authenticated and legalized?

Thank you very much for your valuable help in advance!

 

[ZhabaHulk]

Hi guys, I have a very similar situation. I am going to get married at the end of August. But here I need your help for the following questions.
1. I have obtained Statement In-Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment from Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. Will this be ok for using in Russia instead of getting the Declaration of Non-Impediment from the Canadian Embassy in Moscow?
2. If the Statement In Lieu I got from Ottawa is good to go then I will need to legalise it by the Russian Embassy in Canada. But you know when we apply for the Statement In Lieu we also need to submit the Statutory Declaration of Single Status to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada right. Do I need to legalise my Statutory Declaration as well?

Well...
The Statement In-Lieu of Certification of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad usually is issued by the Canadian Embassy in cases when you're already abroad and are not able to obtain Certificate of Single Status. Therefore I am a lil confused why have you proceed with "In-Lieu of Non-Impediment Certification" when you already had Statutory Declaration of Single Status. ╮(￣_￣)╭
Anyway, answering your question, if you're going to use "Statement In-Lieu" as proof that you're a free man to marry then you need to have it legalised (then translated, then notarized... yalla-yalla). That's it. You need only one evidence that proofs you can marry someone.

3. I heard someone mentioned about the Marriage Search Certificate. Do I also need to get such certificate, then have it authenticated and legalized?

Never heard of this document. Probably other countries require them, not Russia.

 

[ZWB]

Thanks a lot for your information! I think I will have both the Statement and the Declaration legalized in Canada then bring them to Russia to translate and notarize.
Thanks again!

Well...
The Statement In-Lieu of Certification of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad usually is issued by the Canadian Embassy in cases when you're already abroad and are not able to obtain Certificate of Single Status. Therefore I am a lil confused why have you proceed with "In-Lieu of Non-Impediment Certification" when you already had Statutory Declaration of Single Status. ╮(￣_￣)╭
Anyway, answering your question, if you're going to use "Statement In-Lieu" as proof that you're a free man to marry then you need to have it legalised (then translated, then notarized... yalla-yalla). That's it. You need only one evidence that proofs you can marry someone.



Never heard of this document. Probably other countries require them, not Russia.

 

[firewithin6667]

Hi guys, I have a very similar situation. I am going to get married at the end of August. But here I need your help for the following questions.

1. I have obtained Statement In Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment from Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. Will this be ok for using in Russia instead of getting the Declaration of Non-Impediment from the Canadian Embassy in Moscow?

2. If the Statement In Lieu I got from Ottawa is good to go then I will need to legalize it by the Russian Embassy in Canada. But you know when we apply for the Statement In Lieu we also need to submit the Statutory Declaration of Single Status to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada right. Do I need to legalize my Statutory Declaration as well?

3. I heard someone mentioned about the Marriage Search Certificate. Do I also need to get such certificate, then have it authenticated and legalized?

Thank you very much for your valuable help in advance!

Hello! I actually am doing the process that you're doing, and I've just received the documents back after legalization at the embassy.

1. I did receive the Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non Impediment to Marriage, as per instructions from the Russian ZAGS. It did need to be legalized at the Russian Embassy in Ottawa.

2. I don't believe you need to legalize the statutory declaration as well, at least according to the ZAGS in St Petersburg they only needed the Statement in Lieu (Makes sense, since you use the Statutory declaration to get the Statement in Lieu). I am not sure if it may be different for your particular ZAGS , though.

3. I have not heard anything about the Marriage Search Certificate from the ZAGS

As far as I know, what I needed was the Statement in Lieu, Passport copy (notarized), and ZAGS registration form (notarized). All three of those had to be authenticated by Canada and legalized by the Russian Embassy.

This is all based on my experience right now, and I am not married yet nor have I applied, so take it with a grain of salt please! I'm still not sure it's going to work for sure but I'm hoping I've followed what the ZAGS told me in fine detail

 

[firewithin6667]

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to say that I've finished the legalization of the documents I needed. I have to mail the documents to my girlfriend now.

I do have a question though, since now I just have to mail the documents:
- Do the Russian authorities allow me to send a copy of my passport through mail, or is that banned? I've been reading customs that they don't allow passports to be sent, but nothing about copies
- After I'm married, do I have to do further steps in Russia to authenticate the marriage certificate and make it valid for Canadian immigration (Does translation and notarization have to be in Russia? If so I'll have to plan that while I'm there)

Thanks so much!!

Neil

 

[ZWB]

Hello! I actually am doing the process that you're doing, and I've just received the documents back after legalization at the embassy.

1. I did receive the Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non Impediment to Marriage, as per instructions from the Russian ZAGS. It did need to be legalized at the Russian Embassy in Ottawa.

2. I don't believe you need to legalize the statutory declaration as well, at least according to the ZAGS in St Petersburg they only needed the Statement in Lieu (Makes sense, since you use the Statutory declaration to get the Statement in Lieu). I am not sure if it may be different for your particular ZAGS , though.

3. I have not heard anything about the Marriage Search Certificate from the ZAGS

As far as I know, what I needed was the Statement in Lieu, Passport copy (notarized), and ZAGS registration form (notarized). All three of those had to be authenticated by Canada and legalized by the Russian Embassy.

This is all based on my experience right now, and I am not married yet nor have I applied, so take it with a grain of salt please! I'm still not sure it's going to work for sure but I'm hoping I've followed what the ZAGS told me in fine detail

Hi there, thanks for your information. My finance actually got the confirmation from her local ZAGS that all we need is the Statement in Lieu to be legalized by the Russian Embassy here in Canada. You don't need to legalize the passport in fact you just can't legalize passport. But you do need to translate the passport copy in Russian and notarize it. This can be done in Russia, which is also cheaper. Her local ZAGS also mentioned that we don't have to apply 32 days in advance if I can provide my plane ticket, Visa and my vacation leave letter issued by my employer showing that I will be in Russia for less than 32 days. They will give us the exemption on that rule. But this exemption might not be given by all ZAGS. Hope this helps.

 

[ZWB]

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to say that I've finished the legalization of the documents I needed. I have to mail the documents to my girlfriend now.

I do have a question though, since now I just have to mail the documents:
- Do the Russian authorities allow me to send a copy of my passport through mail, or is that banned? I've been reading customs that they don't allow passports to be sent, but nothing about copies
- After I'm married, do I have to do further steps in Russia to authenticate the marriage certificate and make it valid for Canadian immigration (Does translation and notarization have to be in Russia? If so I'll have to plan that while I'm there)

Thanks so much!!

Neil

Hi Neil:

I don't think there is any problem to send a copy of passport information page. Just don't send your original passport to another country. Regarding marriage certificate, as far as I understand from the Canadian side of the story, your future wife can translate then notarize and authenticate it in Russia then probably send it to Canadian Embassy in Russia to legalize it then it can be used in Canada. I believe this process has to be in Russia, which she can do it right?

 

[ZWB]

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to say that I've finished the legalization of the documents I needed. I have to mail the documents to my girlfriend now.

I do have a question though, since now I just have to mail the documents:
- Do the Russian authorities allow me to send a copy of my passport through mail, or is that banned? I've been reading customs that they don't allow passports to be sent, but nothing about copies
- After I'm married, do I have to do further steps in Russia to authenticate the marriage certificate and make it valid for Canadian immigration (Does translation and notarization have to be in Russia? If so I'll have to plan that while I'm there)

Thanks so much!!

Neil

Hi Neil:

I don't think there is any problem to send a copy of passport information page. Just don't send your original passport to another country. Regarding marriage certificate, as far as I understand from the Canadian side of the story, your future wife can translate then notarize and authenticate it in Russia then probably send it to Canadian Embassy in Russia to legalize it then it can be used in Canada. I believe this process has to be in Russia, which she can do it right?