Destination weddings/ marriage abroad/overseas are legally recognized in Canada. Getting married in foreign countries may require specific documents to be submitted or presented confirming there are no legal impediments to the marriage. At minimum the following documents and procedures must be followed depending on the laws of a particular country:
1. A certificate declaration of non-impediment for marriage abroad - a sample template can be requested from my office. The certificate declaration may need to be translated or written in both English and the Foreign language. Within this declaration, the following information must be included:
2. Once the certificate and the attached documents are notarized, you'll need to contact the consulate or embassy regarding whether they wanted the documents authenticated first by the Official Documents Services or by the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, or whether the respective embassy would just accept the notarized copies and bypassing the authentication process.
3. Bring the authenticated or legalized package to your destination wedding in case you need to show to customs.
1. A certificate declaration of non-impediment for marriage abroad - a sample template can be requested from my office. The certificate declaration may need to be translated or written in both English and the Foreign language. Within this declaration, the following information must be included:
- Citizenship identification information - exp. notarized copy of passport and/or citizenship card
- If applicable, details regarding any divorce and widowhood including particular dates - exp. notarized copy of the divorce papers or death certificate.
- Names and dates of births of the couple - exp. notarized copy of birth certificates.
- Professions of the couple
- Names and contact information of verifiers regarding the relationship, witnesses or consent from parents of the couple.
- Proposed date and location of the wedding celebration.
- If applicable, a space for witnesses and/or the officiant to sign confirming the marriage.
2. Once the certificate and the attached documents are notarized, you'll need to contact the consulate or embassy regarding whether they wanted the documents authenticated first by the Official Documents Services or by the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, or whether the respective embassy would just accept the notarized copies and bypassing the authentication process.
3. Bring the authenticated or legalized package to your destination wedding in case you need to show to customs.