Is there any type of special visa or form i need to get married in canada to my CAD Citizen girlfriend? I heard in america we would need her to get some sort of Visa before we could get married here in the states. But for canada can i simply just come in and marry her? How would i say this to the border agent when I land. I haven’t been able to see my girlfriend at all this year cause of COVID and i plan on surprising her and proposing once it’s safe and borders open. From there we might just have a small civil wedding with only her parents around because my family and friends won’t be able to be there with us.
US citizen getting married in canada?
- Thread starter Gauging
- Start date
I wouldn't tell this to the border agent as you may get refused entry if you're stating that as your purpose of visit. Just say you're visiting. If you're pressed and asked if you're going to marry her, you of course must tell the truth.
You don't need a visa to get married. You need a license, but that's issued in the province where you're going to get married. The border officers don't need to know anything about it.
I married my Russian wife in Canada with no special visa or notification to the government other than the license and the commissioner.
You don't need a visa to get married. You need a license, but that's issued in the province where you're going to get married. The border officers don't need to know anything about it.
I married my Russian wife in Canada with no special visa or notification to the government other than the license and the commissioner.
My Canadian wife & I (US citizen) got married a couple of years ago in the US without issue - no special visa or extra paperwork was required. Her Canadian passport was all she needed for the officiator.
We looked into getting married in Canada and (in Vancouver), and while no special visa or other paperwork beyond my US passport was required, in BC you must use an approved officiator, and there are surprisingly few of them, and the few there are are booked months and beyond in advance. An official officiator (say THAT 5 times fast...) will have all the paperwork you'll need.
We looked into getting married in Canada and (in Vancouver), and while no special visa or other paperwork beyond my US passport was required, in BC you must use an approved officiator, and there are surprisingly few of them, and the few there are are booked months and beyond in advance. An official officiator (say THAT 5 times fast...) will have all the paperwork you'll need.
Marriage commissioner, or officiant.
I called one on a Thursday and got married on a Saturday. Didn't have issues with them being booked in advance. In Vancouver and Victoria
See, now you're just showing off...Marriage commissioner, or officiant.
I called one on a Thursday and got married on a Saturday. Didn't have issues with them being booked in advance. In Vancouver and Victoria
A couple years ago I went through the official list on the BC government web site and got nothing but "I'm available in 4-6 months". The business of weddings doesn't seem to be a big deal here (unlike in the US).
Yeah, I got a couple of those. I just emailed a bunch of them who lived near the park where I wanted to get married in the hopes that one would walk over for half an hour.
Generally you can find someone who would officiate for half an hour, just need to not be picky and be prepared to pay them for their time.
OP may not even be coming to BC! In other provinces, you can get married at city hall (if they're open) or courthouses (if they're open) depending on the province.
Yes, you're visiting. Since you haven't even proposed yet, I'd start with (if they ask) that you plan on proposing (she hasn't technically accepted yet). If she accepts and you happen to get married shortly thereafter, that's your choice. No, you won't get into trouble.
One important note, if either of you have been married before, divorce documents are a fair sight more complicated from abroad. But if not (depends on province) usually two pieces of government ID,one with a photo.
Did this in Ontario on a short visit when we actually weren't planning to (didn't think we'd have time), no issues, all very quick and everyone helpful. You will need two witnesses at ceremony,again,depends on province. I'm sure all provinces have websites explaining what is needed.
Note that being married doesn't give you automatic right to permanently reside in Canada, that's a separate process. I believe the USA fiancé visa is related to residency but don't know, anyway, no direct equivalent in Canada.
Yeah i know, I believe once we get married we can do the application for spousal sponsorship right? That’s our plan once we talk about where we wanna live
I'm American who did the same thing last year. No one at the border asked me any question about why I was visiting (tbh, they rarely ever ask me that. I get asked more why I was in Canada by the US side). I flew in on a Saturday, we picked up our marriage licence on Monday, and got married on Tuesday at a park by a commissioner (3 friends as witnesses). We applied for my PR 3 months later after my last name was changed on everything.
Yes. This part of the forum is family sponsorship, most common I believe is spousal, take a look at the Cdn government website and start collecting documents. It's not so very difficult but does require collecting a certain amount of info, and there are two different ways of applying (inland vs outland). Unfortunately it's not a rapid process at the best of times, and with covid, these are not the best of times.
One small note here, depending on province and for what purposes, it may take time to get the certificate of marriage (showing the marriage has been registered, which is done by the officiant; name of this doc may also differ by jurisdiction, basically extract from the civil register). While you're married once the ceremony is complete, this is a separate document from the one you get at the ceremony. Notably I believe immigration Canada requires the certificate.
Example of Ontario here:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/getting-married#section-4
Example of Ontario here:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/getting-married#section-4
It's also highly likely that COVID will delay marriage certificates.
IRCC does require (a copy of) the actual certificate, not the license, and not a commemorative, hand-filled out certificate that some commissioners give you.