PR marriage in Canada

[dsouzakrislyn]

Hi ,

I would like to know if there are any restrictions for permanent residents to get married to foreign person within Canada? Myself and my fiancé plan on getting married soon after I land in Canada? He has not applied for PR as I would like to sponsor him after we are married. Therefore, he will be coming into Canada on a visit visa (tourist).

Do I need to wait for my PR card before I decide to get married? Could any one help with the marriage process in Ontario and how long does it take?

Thanks!

 

[evdm]

If you get married after you land there should be no issues.

To get married in Ontario you have to apply for (and receive) a license, and then have the ceremony.

To get a license, you and your fiancé must fill in and sign a form, and take that in to a city hall or office that issues marriage licenses together with two pieces of ID for each partner (only one partner has to be present to get the license, however they will need to show two original forms of ID for the absent partner). You will pay the fees and your license will usually be issued on the spot.

After the ceremony and the person who married you (officiant/judge) has sent in the paperwork it can take 6-8 weeks until you can apply for a marriage certificate.

See this website for more information. Things like previous marriages and divorce can add time to the process as you'll need additional documentation.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/getting-married

 

[dsouzakrislyn]

If you get married after you land there should be no issues.

To get married in Ontario you have to apply for (and receive) a license, and then have the ceremony.

To get a license, you and your fiancé must fill in and sign a form, and take that in to a city hall or office that issues marriage licenses together with two pieces of ID for each partner (only one partner has to be present to get the license, however they will need to show two original forms of ID for the absent partner). You will pay the fees and your license will usually be issued on the spot.

After the ceremony and the person who married you (officiant/judge) has sent in the paperwork it can take 6-8 weeks until you can apply for a marriage certificate.

See this website for more information. Things like previous marriages and divorce can add time to the process as you'll need additional documentation.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/getting-married

Thank you for the information provided .
Is the marriage license given immediately on the day of application? Does my partner have to be physically present while applying for this?

 

[evdm]

Thank you for the information provided .
Is the marriage license given immediately on the day of application? Does my partner have to be physically present while applying for this?

Yes, usually if you meet all the document requirements you walk away with the license. No, your partner does not have to be physically present for the application (but will need to be at the wedding, ).

But... you do need to bring two original and valid pieces of their identification in addition to your own. One of the two pieces for each of you has to have a photo. See the website of the city/town where you want to get married for acceptable forms of identification and the forms you'll need to fill in/provide. There also needs to be an original signature for each of you on the application form, so your partner will have to sign it themselves before you apply.

This is my situation: I am outside of Canada and my partner recently got our marriage license in Toronto. I printed off the form with my details and signed it. Then I sent it by registered mail to my partner in Toronto together with my Ontario drivers license (still have it from when I lived there) and my original non-Canadian birth certificate. Everything was accepted by the city clerk and my partner walked out with the license. My birth certificate is in English, I don't know if it is in a language other than English or French whether you will need a translation.

Note that the license is only valid for 90 days after it is issued, so you'll have to have a wedding day in mind when you apply.

 

[dsouzakrislyn]

Haha gfr

Yes, usually if you meet all the document requirements you walk away with the license. No, your partner does not have to be physically present for the application (but will need to be at the wedding, ).

But... you do need to bring two original and valid pieces of their identification in addition to your own. One of the two pieces for each of you has to have a photo. See the website of the city/town where you want to get married for acceptable forms of identification and the forms you'll need to fill in/provide. There also needs to be an original signature for each of you on the application form, so your partner will have to sign it themselves before you apply.

This is my situation: I am outside of Canada and my partner recently got our marriage license in Toronto. I printed off the form with my details and signed it. Then I sent it by registered mail to my partner in Toronto together with my Ontario drivers license (still have it from when I lived there) and my original non-Canadian birth certificate. Everything was accepted by the city clerk and my partner walked out with the license. My birth certificate is in English, I don't know if it is in a language other than English or French whether you will need a translation.

Note that the license is only valid for 90 days after it is issued, so you'll have to have a wedding day in mind when you apply.

Haha, great! sounds less complicated now. Also, any countries' drivers license is acceptable or does it have a Canadian one? Thank you for the tip

 

[evdm]

Haha gfr

Haha, great! sounds less complicated now. Also, any countries' drivers license is acceptable or does it have a Canadian one? Thank you for the tip

I don't know the answer on non-Canadian driver's licenses, but foreigners get married all the time in Canada so I would assume it would be sufficient. Just be aware that if it's your partner's only license they can do without it. Wouldn't want a fine if stopped for driving without being able to show a valid license.

Also, found out that anything not in English will have to be translated as you can see from the info below.

here's the info from the Toronto website:

Identification
Each partner must submit 2 pieces of acceptable identification (ID):

• Identification must be VALID and ORIGINAL
• Identification must provide legal name and date of birth
• The name on both pieces of your ID must be the same
• The first name and last names must match on the two pieces of ID you are presenting. To have your middle name included on your marriage licence it must also appear on both pieces of ID
• If your ID is not in English, a written translation from a certified translator is required

Acceptable VALID and ORIGINAL identification:

• • Birth Certificate
  • Passport
  • Driver's Licence
  • Ontario Photo Card (not Ontario Health Card)
  • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (Canadian Citizenship Card)
  • Canadian Government Refugee Travel Document
  • Conditional Release Identification Card
  • United States Green Card
  • Native Status Card
  • Record of Immigration Landing
  • Confirmation of Permanent Residency
  • Permanent Residency Card
  • Citizenship Card from any country
  • Identity Card from any country
  • Nexus Card
  • Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC)
  • Possession & Acquisition Licence (PAL)

NOT accepted as identification:

• • Ontario Health Card
  • Social Insurance Number (SIN) Card

 

[dsouzakrislyn]

I don't know the answer on non-Canadian driver's licenses, but foreigners get married all the time in Canada so I would assume it would be sufficient. Just be aware that if it's your partner's only license they can do without it. Wouldn't want a fine if stopped for driving without being able to show a valid license.

Also, found out that anything not in English will have to be translated as you can see from the info below.

here's the info from the Toronto website:

And I do not need to wait for my PR card to start with the whole process, right?
Yes, you are right, in the case a license is granted immediately it might make sense for him to be physically present, obtain the license, get married and then leave the country.

 

[evdm]

No, You don't need your PR card to get a marriage license. Any two of the listed IDs would be sufficient.

 

[dsouzakrislyn]

No, You don't need your PR card to get a marriage license. Any two of the listed IDs would be sufficient.

THANK YOU!

 

[starnaenae]

Everything does need to be legally translated into english or french in order to obtain the license

 

[Oldmacwright]

When my wife and I got married in Canada and we went to get the marriage license her only form of ID was her home countries passport which was fine.

 

[evdm]

When my wife and I got married in Canada and we went to get the marriage license her only form of ID was her home countries passport which was fine.

Was this in Ontario?

The websites with information on Ontario make it clear that you'll need 2 pieces of ID for each partner, see for example:

To get a marriage licence, you will need to:

• bring 2 pieces of government-issued identification for each person getting married. One piece of identification must include your photo.

Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/getting-married#section-3

 

[Oldmacwright]

Was this in Ontario?

The websites with information on Ontario make it clear that you'll need 2 pieces of ID for each partner, see for example:


Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/getting-married#section-3

Ok my bad, was in a different province yes. Different rules for sure.

 

[starnaenae]

We got married in feb in ontario. Yes the pssport was fine for my husband as it is spanish and english but he needed his national id card translated. I as the canadian also needed two pieces of id. I used my passport and license

 

[dsouzakrislyn]

Me and my Fiance are of Indian origin however come from two different religions (Christian and Hindu). Does this affect the process ?

After obtaining the marriage license, willl the marriage will take place in the Indian Embassy in Canada or at a marriage council office? As the indian embassy has their own rules like an NOC From parents etc in order to conduct a civil marriage.

Also, how many witnesses have to be present ? if yes, do we have to submit their paperwork too.