US Citizen Marrying a Canadian Citizen in Canada

[Deisyhurts]

I am currently living in USA, and I plan to visit Canada in June, to get married to my Canadian girlfriend. She has already filed out the marriage license application, and just need my signature.

My question is, what ID will I need to show when going to the city hall? Will my American passport do okay? And we will be in Ontario.

I am just not sure if my IDs will be valid since I am not Canadian, and do not live in Canada.

I plan to get the marriage license, and then have the marriage ceremony a week later. Will I be requested to show any ID on the ceremony day, and will my American Passport be okay?

Our plan is that I will move back to USA, and wait here while she sponsor me as "outlander," and move to Canada once the application is approved.

Please help, and thanks in advance.

 

[canadausa#11]

Well you should check depending on your province as they may have different rules but I know in Ontario passport is fine.

 

[Mybarbiehead]

I'm American and married my Canadian fiancee last year in Ontario. We went to city hall for a marriage license. I showed my passport for identification and brought my drivers license just in case they needed a 2nd form of id. We were married a month later on a subsequent visit and we didn't have to show any id to the officiant.

When I drove up for the wedding, I told the border guard I was visiting. I didn't say anything about getting married. I only stayed for a week, but I didn't volunteer any information that may have led to more questions.

 

[canus77]

I will side with barbiehead.. don't offer that you are coming to get married or that you have a fiance in another country.. just adds to their questions.
Definitely don't mention anything about either one of you planning to live in each other's country - huge red flag.
Not sure how close you guys are to the border, but I would recommend that if she is in the states with you she try to cross regularly so it doesn't look like she's trying to stay.. if they get a sniff she spends more time in the states she won't be allowed back in. (This was my exact situation - trust me, you don't want a denial at the border!)
My American hubby came to BC to get married, worked for us.
Unfortunately he has to keep a US residence and we cross back and forth until the PR is done.

 

[Snowisland]

I will side with barbiehead.. don't offer that you are coming to get married or that you have a fiance in another country.. just adds to their questions.
Definitely don't mention anything about either one of you planning to live in each other's country - huge red flag.
Not sure how close you guys are to the border, but I would recommend that if she is in the states with you she try to cross regularly so it doesn't look like she's trying to stay.. if they get a sniff she spends more time in the states she won't be allowed back in. (This was my exact situation - trust me, you don't want a denial at the border!)
My American hubby came to BC to get married, worked for us.
Unfortunately he has to keep a US residence and we cross back and forth until the PR is done.

My husband and I have crossed the border for the past four years. Four times a year with visits ranging from two to five weeks except the current visit is for six months. We always told the truth, but I did not mention we were getting married on the visit in which we did. Going to see your love is enough info. On this trip I did say visit husband for six months and they put me in secondary for a few minutes and it was no big deal. Might be different for others, but I was pleasant as was the agent. I suggest answer only what asked and your reason for visit is to visit your girlfriend, which is true

 

[CanadaNS]

As most of you know you are granted six months when entering If you do want to stay while waiting for your PR to be approved you can just renew your visitor status on the CIC website if that is what you choose to do.

 

[canus77]

I will admit that crossing (or staying) in Canada seems much easier than in the US..
I've just had some major issues trying to cross and want people to be cautious.
If they think you are here to stay with a girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse with no intent to leave they can deny your entry.

 

[Snowisland]

I will admit that crossing (or staying) in Canada seems much easier than in the US..
I've just had some major issues trying to cross and want people to be cautious.
If they think you are here to stay with a girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse with no intent to leave they can deny your entry.

Agree. I get more questions when I return to US than when I enter Canada.