Immigration Consultation - ?

[MARLENA]

Because they are not open mind. For me it's the same you exchanging vows. I guess the only difference in Lebanon you can't have a divorce from the church unless you have a valid evidence. In Canada with a civil marriage you can get a divorce.

I don't know if it's going to give me a problem with his PR since my husband can't change his marital status in Lebanon to married. he is still considered single :9( and he can get married there without my knowledge lol!!!

 

[Boncuk]

I would imagine they know the rules there.. hopefully wont cause you problems!

 

[rjessome]

MARLENA, just send them your marriage certificate when you get it. You should be fine. And get hubby to register your marriage too as soon as he can, just for your peace of mind! LOL! I am just joking of course!!! Boncuk is right, the Embassy will know the rules in that country.

 

[nyssa]

Well, I am a US Citizen... we are planning on being married this July. We were going to send out the paperwork that same week. But we can just send the license and explain that we just wanted to send it out immediately so we can be together sooner?? As we're waiting for the official registration? I guess we don't really have a valid reason for any of it... we know we love each other and were planning on getting married anyway, but when we were seperated at the border a month ago, we decided to get married in two months and file for my PR right away.

Is this going to complicate things too much? Should we wait on filing until after we get the marriage registered? Like, after that comes in? I wasn't expected this, unfortunately.

 

[nyssa]

Hmm. I see that it's about 8-12 weeks to get the Marriage Certificate going from the Office of the Registrar. But I see you can get your Marriage Certificate online in 15 days?? Keep in mind, this is Ontario.

Or else it's 6-8 weeks by mail... will immigration accept this online certificate? Or do I need to wait the 6-8 weeks?

 

[rjessome]

As long as it is your official marriage certificate, I don't see why not! I didn't get married in Canada so don't really know. 15 days is nothing.

 

[Boncuk]

Worst case scenario is when you get the marriage certificate you send it to them .. I think Marlena has done this.

 

[nyssa]

Thank you! Maybe there is hope after all! Should I call CIC maybe? Would they give me the accurate answer over the phone?

 

[rjessome]

Good idea! Post your response here or in a new thread so you can help others with the same question.

 

[nyssa]

Yep! I made a list of things I'm going to ask. I have to call the right marriage people in Ontario. And then I'm going to call CIC right afterwards. I will be sure to post... a new thread too, so more will view it.

Seems like I raised a good question!!! I'm glad! I just hope I find the answers. This will mean either sending my application out in July like I WANT to, or else waiting until October, or worse, December-ish.

 

[rorita_76]

Hey Marlena and Boncuk,
Concerning the civil marriage in Lebanon, well it isn't recognized because in most of the religion in Lebanon, when God doesn't bless the marriage, it isn't a marriage.
Lot of people go to Cyprus and make a civil marriage, for 1 main reason, if they were from different religion and each one want to keep his own religion, so they get marry there, return to Lebanon, when they have children, the children will be in big dilemma between the 2 difference religion with their parent, I am not sure, but I guess they face some issue with the civil status since their parent are not married in the Lebanese civil status. And with the civil marriage, the divorce is a piece of cake, while in the religious marriage, it is very hard, and need very good proof.
I have 1 friend, his mom is from Bulgaria Christian his father from Lebanon Muslim, I just discovered and been shocked that he lived 18 year without a religion, he told me, they don't talk about religion in their house, his parent each one pray on his own way, and he didn't pray at all in 18 years??? I was totally chocked that he doesn’t have a religion, it is a big deal in Lebanon. Now he decides to become Christian, he went to Bulgaria; he had a baptism, and return Lebanon as Christian.
I think we have all these rules in order to minimize the number of divorce and protect our children from being destroyed in family problem.
After all we are a small country, but with 18 religion and lot of problem, so I guess we need some rules or limits…

 

[MARLENA]

Once we are married in Lebanon he will add me on his status otherwise I will have to wait.
I am not concerned because I had explained in the application there is another ceremony in Lebanon during the summer so by the time his application is finalized it will be all done and taking care of :0). Rorita one question what about if a couple is not happy in their marriage if they can't have a divorce how would they live together???? I assume they can't get married again if they can't have a divorce.
Well I'm marrying for life and I don't believe in divorce That's my opinion :0(

 

[AMB]

Okay, there's a lot of confusion here about getting married in Canada.

Nyssa- if you are getting married in Ontario, I can tell you these things FOR SURE:

1) When you are married, the person marrying you will give you a 1/2 page called "Solemnization of Marriage". This is NOT your marriage certificate, but you can certainly copy it and put it in your sponsorship package.

2) It is the responsibility of the person marrying you to send the registration of the marriage to the Registrar General. In my experience, they ALL do this right after the marriage. A quick phone call to the person marrying you can confirm this.

3) It will take about 10 weeks for the Registrar General to receive this info, and get it in their system. It's only until then that you can apply online or in writing for the certificate. I would recommend doing it online- you get it faster.

Anyways, to sum up, don't wait for your marriage certificate to file your sponsorship- you'll have to wait too long. Just include a letter of explanation that you don't have it yet, but have included the solemnization, and will send a copy of the certificate as soon as you have it. It's no problem AT ALL. I recently even saw a women become a PR before they even sent the certificate! (Not saying that will happen to you)...

 

[MARLENA]

AMB you said it exactly the way it should be done and that's how I did it but the only mistake I sent my marriage application through the person who performed the marriage. As you mentioned I received the "Solemnization of Marriage" and send it with my application. After 10 weeks I received marriage Certificate and scanned it directly to the visa office abroad.
Thanks for all the information you are providing to help us during the process.

 

[nyssa]

AMB - Thank You! I think I am going to send my application in that way. I'm glad we can obtain our certifictae online. That only takes 15 days compared to 6-8 weeks!!!