Marriage Certificate AND Relationship Certificate

[redundantdocuments]

Hello kind respondents,

I am currently sponsoring my spouse from China and Immigration Canada is requesting both a Marriage Certificate and a Certificate of Relationship.

Wouldn't our Marriage certificate suffice as it proves our relationship as a married couple....a relationship certificate would be redundant...

Would my spouse need to apply for a "Certificate of Relationship" if we already have a marriage certificate? I am only sponsoring my spouse.

Thanks.

 

[canadianwoman]

Have you already sent in your application? If you didn't include your marriage certificate, maybe the visa officer is asking for either a marriage certificate or a relationship certificate. Or is there some sort of document in China that shows you are married, other than your marriage certificate?

Or was the visa officer just asking for more proof that your relationship is genuine? If you sent in the marriage certificate, but not much else, they will want more evidence that your relationship is real.

 

[redundantdocuments]

I haven't sent the application yet but my lawyer says that I should get the "certificate of relationship" document just in case Immigration Canada needs it. I have all documents and proof of relationship with my spouse already e.g. wedding photos, dating photos chat logs etc..except this "certificate of relationship" document. My spouse went to the Chinese government office to get all necessary notarized documents and they said she should would NOT need this "certificate of relationship" document for immigration as our marriage certificate will suffice as proof of our relationship. I'm not sure If I should tell her to get this "certificate of relationship" document as this will add an extra 2 weeks waiting time on our sponsorship.
Thanks.

 

[mandiebraxton]

I haven't sent the application yet but my lawyer says that I should get the "certificate of relationship" document just in case Immigration Canada needs it. I have all documents and proof of relationship with my spouse already e.g. wedding photos, dating photos chat logs etc..except this "certificate of relationship" document. My spouse went to the Chinese government office to get all necessary notarized documents and they said she should would NOT need this "certificate of relationship" document for immigration as our marriage certificate will suffice as proof of our relationship. I'm not sure If I should tell her to get this "certificate of relationship" document as this will add an extra 2 weeks waiting time on our sponsorship.
Thanks.

Your marriage certificate is the ultimate piece of document to show that you are legally married. Apart from proving the legality of your marriage, you also need to prove your marriage is genuine. Unless your country specific checklist states the need for certificate of relationship, you don't need it.. Your lawyer should know better.
*Mandie*

 

[redundantdocuments]

My country is Canada. I'm a naturally born Canadian . I don't see any requirement for a "certificate of relationship" for any of the application forms for spousal/family sponsorship. Even for the country specific immigration package for the People's Republic of China. Isn't the "certificate of relationship" for sponsoring other family members such as parents, siblings, and other close family. A marriage certificate for sponsoring spouse? I have gathered enough evidence as proof of our relationship in wedding photos, dating photos, chat logs and so on. We just don't have the "certificate of relationship" but have the certificate of marriage.

Thank you everyone.

 

[mandiebraxton]

My country is Canada. I'm a naturally born Canadian. I don't see any requirement for a "certificate of relationship" for any of the application forms for spousal/family sponsorship.

I'm referring to your wife's country specific checklist, which is China. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3903e.pdf

In my opinion, guys don't need certificate of relationship.

*Mandie*

 

[redundantdocuments]

Thank-you for your opinion Mandie.

- Michael

 

[canadianwoman]

Section 9 of the country-specific forms actually says that a kinship certificate is not accepted as proof of a relationship.

Maybe some others who have applied through China could weigh in on whether they submitted a relationship certificate, or whether the visa officer asked for one later.