Marriage Certificate: Does it make a difference where I get married?
I want to sponsor my wife to Canada and she lives in Mexico. We are planning on getting married. Does it matter where we get married? Do we have to get married in Canada? Do we have to have a religious ceremony?
From immigration’s point of view, it does not matter where you get married. You can get married in Canada or outside of Canada. As long as you are married and your marriage is recognized in Canada, the physical location of your marriage is not subject to any restrictions. You must, however, ensure that you can provide immigration with your marriage certificate. If your marriage certificate is not in French or English, you will need to have it translated by a certified translator.
You can also have a civil or religious marriage. Each city, state, and that country has their own requirements with respect to the celebration of a marriage. You must contact the appropriate authorities and provide the required documentation to first (if applicable) obtain a marriage license, and then proceed with the marriage. We recommend you look into these requirements sooner than later to avoid any delays in celebrating your marriage.
In the province of Quebec, Notaries have jurisdiction to celebrate marriages. And this can be done in any location you wish (home, Notary’s office, garden, beach etc.). You will first need to meet with the Notary to discuss your preferences and a date will be scheduled to proceed with the marriage. You can visit this website to obtain further information about having your marriage handled by a Notary.
