How to Get Married in Canada as a Foreigner

Canadian Wedding Traditions

A typical Canadian wedding usually starts with the couple sending out save-the-dates and invitations, using elements of their heritage or Canadian nature as motifs. Then, it wouldn't be odd to have a Trousseau tea ceremony, where the bride's female friends and family members are gathered. Her mother or maid of honour usually hosts it, and it is often a way to entertain the people who didn't make the wedding guests list or won't be able to attend the party. 

As guests gather on the big day, they might witness various traditions. One of the most endearing is the Canadian twist on the unity candle ceremony, which symbolises the joining of two families. Here, the couple uses two separate candles to light one centre candle, symbolising the coming together of their two hearts in wedded bliss. 

Whether religious or secular, the ceremony itself is often personalised to reflect the couple's journey and shared values, followed by a lively reception. Canadian receptions are known for their warmth and festivity, featuring everything from heartfelt toasts and speeches to a dance floor that stays alive well into the night. The music might include a live band playing everything from top hits to traditional songs, depending on the couple's background.

While many Canadians follow the familiar customs of exchanging vows and rings, first dances, and bouquet tosses, there's often a personal twist. 

For example, in Quebec, it's traditional for the couple to cut a log together after the ceremony, symbolising their teamwork in marriage. Sounds like a lot of work right? You might also see a beautifully decorated "sock dance," a Newfoundland tradition where unmarried older siblings don the most outrageous socks and dance for a collection of coins from the guests.

When it comes to the food, guests can enjoy classic Canadian dishes like poutine and maple-glazed salmon or international cuisines representing the couple's heritage or favourite flavours from around the world. There is also the iconic late-night snack served as the evening winds down. It's not uncommon for couples to serve poutine, beavertails, or even Timbits to their guests to keep their energy up while they party.  

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Types of Marriages in Canada

There are two main types of marriage in Canada. They are: 

Civil Marriages

A Canadian civil marriage is held at a city, town, or municipal hall. To get married officially, you must submit two forms:

• A banns form
• A marriage licence.

Banns is a public announcement of your marriage. They were historically made on three consecutive Sundays or holy days in the church parish you and your partner attend. The purpose of banns is to provide an opportunity for anyone to come forward with a legal or canonical reason why you and your partner should not be married, essentially to prevent unlawful marriages. The publication of banns is still recognised as a legal alternative to obtaining a marriage licence in some Canadian provinces for those who wish to marry in a church ceremony. The banns form must be signed by an authorised officiant and you and your partner to be official. 

The marriage licence, on the other hand, is a legal document that grants permission for you to get married. In Canada, a marriage licence is valid for only 90 days from the date it was issued. You can apply for a marriage licence at the municipal office, town hall, or city hall.   

Religious marriages in Canada

There are various religions in Canada, and a wedding will be based on your religious beliefs. It is usually held in two parts. The first part is the ceremony in your place of worship, where a minister or an authorised celebrant joins you together as husband and wife. The second part is the optional wedding reception and honeymoon.  

The legal requirements for marriage in Canada 

The first thing you need to do is understand the legal requirements for getting married in Canada. Here are the criteria you need to meet before getting married in Canada: 

• You both must be at least 18 years old (except in Ontario, where you can marry at 16 with written parental or legal consent).
• You both must be single, widowed or divorced with proof such as a civil status certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate, dissolution of civil partnership certificate, etc.
• You must be getting married of your own free will. Forced marriages are not considered legal in Canada. It is a criminal offence to help with or participate in a marriage ceremony if you know that one of the partners does not want to and is being forced to marry.
• You both must be physically present to be married. You cannot marry over the phone or through a representative.
• You must have two witnesses present (one for you and one for your spouse).
• You cannot marry or enter into a civil partnership with someone you are related to by blood or adoption, such as:
  • Mother or father
  • Father's sister or brother (aunt or uncle)
  • Mother's sister or brother (aunt or uncle)
  • Sister or brother
  • Father's daughter or son (half-sister or brother)
  • Mother's daughter or son (half-sister or brother)
  • Daughter or son
  • Son's daughter or son (granddaughter or grandson)
  • Daughter's daughter or son (granddaughter or grandson)
  • Brother's daughter or son (niece or nephew)
  • Sister's daughter or son (niece or nephew)
  • Grandmother or grandfather

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What documents are required to get married in Canada?

The legal marriage process and documentation required can vary in different regions. Therefore, you need to verify the requirements of the region where you will get married in Canada. However, the most commonly requested documents are as follows:

For a marriage licence

• A government issued birth certificate from your country.
• A valid ID or international passport
• A valid driver's licence
• A Citizenship card from your country.
• A valid Ontario photo card.
• Your immigration documents.

Rules concerning identification documents:

Both of you must provide two acceptable forms of identification, which could include the following:

• Government issued birth certificate
• Passport
• Driver's licence
• Ontario Photo Card (Purple photo ID card)
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (Canadian Citizenship Card)
• Conditional release identification card
• United States green card
• Native status card
• Record of immigration landing
• Confirmation of permanent residency
• Permanent residency card ard
• Citizenship card
• Identity card
• Nexus card
• Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC)
• Possession & Acquisition Licence (PAL)
• Each document must be valid and original. Photocopies or scanned images or pictures on electronic devices will not be accepted.
• The forms of identification you use must reflect your legal name and date of birth.
• Your first and last names must match the two forms of identification you choose.
• To have a middle name included on the marriage licence it must also appear on both IDs.
• The identification documents can be from any country as long as they are government-issued.
• Health cards, S.I.N. cards and expired identifications will not be accepted.

All of the above documents not in English or French need to be translated by a certified translator or a certified translation service in Canada. 

Translayte is a language service provider that provides highly skilled ATIO, ATIA, ATIS, ATIM & OTTIAQ- certified translators who work to convey your documents' message accurately. Our certified translations have a 100% guaranteed acceptance by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Global Affairs Canada and many other institutions. 

You can get English translations and French translations to or from a large variety of languages, like 

• French to English translations
• German to English translations
• Spanish to French translations and vice versa.

Moreover, your foreign documents must be legalised or bear an apostille stamp from the country of issuance to be valid in Canada.

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How to get married in Canada as a foreigner

So, we've looked at all we need to put in place before marrying in Canada. Now, let's simplify the entire process for you into seven steps. 

Arrive in Canada

If you're a foreign national planning to get married in Canada, you must ensure you meet the necessary immigration and residency requirements. This may include obtaining a visitor visa or temporary resident visa, depending on your country of origin and the purpose of your visit. You do not have to be a citizen or permanent resident to marry in Canada.

Additionally, you must be physically present in the country to get married. You cannot use a representative or get married via webcam or phone. Ensure you have all the necessary travel documents and visas before your trip. Once in Canada, you can proceed with the marriage process outlined in the previous sections.

Pro Tip: If your documents need translation, you should contact a certified translation company to help you translate them before processing your visa. This will ensure you have everything you need for the application and the weeding process to avoid delays. 

Apply for a marriage licence 

Gather the required documents we listed earlier and complete the marriage licence application form available on your local government office or website. For example, if you go to the website of the City of Toronto, you will get information about how to get married there and a link to download the form. 

After completing the form, you must book an appointment at your local city or municipal hall to pick up your marriage licence. You will be given an application number after submitting your application, which you will provide when booking your appointment. 

Make sure to take along a printed copy of the completed application and two forms of identification for each of you. The cost of a marriage licence in Canada varies by province, but it ranges from about $100 to $200.   

Wait a little

Some provinces or territories have a waiting period between when the licence is issued and when the marriage can legally occur. This period can range from 24 hours to a few days.  

Plan your ceremony

After you have completed all the major paperwork and payments, you can start having fun. Let's give you a few tips on how to plan the ceremony.   

1. Set a budget: Choose your type of ceremony and determine your budget. Determining your budget will guide many of your decisions, from the venue to the number of guests and the style of the event. Make sure to account for potential costs like the venue, attire, officiant fees, decorations, and any additional services you might want.  

2.Select a venue: The venue sets the tone for your wedding. Popular options in Canada include:

• Fairmont Chateau Whistler
• Cambium Farms
• Casa Loma
• Graydon Hall Manor
• Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
• Fairmont Banff Springs

When choosing a venue, consider its location, capacity, availability, cost, and the logistics of getting married there (some venues have their own rules about catering, decoration, and music).  

3. Choose a date and time: When selecting your wedding date, consider factors like the weather, special dates for you and your partner, and the availability of your desired venue and key vendors. Saturdays are popular for weddings, but a weekday wedding might offer more flexibility and cost savings.

4. Hire vendors: Depending on the complexity of your ceremony, you may need to hire various vendors, such as:

• Wedding planner: This is especially helpful if you're organising a destination wedding or need help with local customs and logistics.
• An officiant: Ensure they are legally recognised to perform weddings in your city.
• A Photographer or videographer: Book early, as the best ones often have their schedules filled months in advance.
• Hair and Makeup Artists: To ensure you look your best on your wedding day, consider hiring professionals who can provide hair and makeup services.
• Music: Plan how music will be integrated into your ceremony, whether you want live music, a DJ, or a simple playlist.
• A Florist: For bouquets, boutonnieres, and any venue decorations.
• A Caterer: If your venue doesn't provide food, you'll need to hire a caterer.

5. Plan the ceremony details: Decide if you want to write your vows or stick with the traditional ones. Select your wedding party, including bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring-bearers, and flower girls. Don't forget to decide on how you want the ceremony to unfold, from start to finish.  

6. Have a dress rehearsal: A rehearsal is typically held the day before the wedding, especially for complex ceremonies or large parties. This helps ensure everyone knows their roles and the event runs smoothly.  

7. Personalise Your ceremony: Incorporate elements that reflect your personality and relationships. This could include unique music choices, a special reading, or a ritual that has personal significance.  

Have your wedding ceremony

After planning, you can now have your ceremony at the city or municipal hall, church or mosque, depending on the wedding you choose. At the ceremony, you will exchange vows and sign the marriage licence along with the witnesses and the officiant.   

Register your marriage

After the ceremony, the officiant must submit the signed marriage licence to the local vital statistics agency or equivalent authority for registration. If they do not, the marriage will not be legally recognised.

Get your marriage certificate

In Canada, marriage certificates are issued by the Office of the Registrar General. You can order a marriage certificate on your local government's website about 10-12 weeks after marriage. The cost of marriage certificates in Canada varies by province, but the average costs are as follows:

• Marriage certificate – 15 to 20 business days – $65.
• Marriage certificate - 5 to 8 business days - $100.
• Certified copy of marriage registration – 15 to 20 business days – $75.
• Certified copy of marriage registration - 5 to 8 business days - $110.

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Immigration and residency implications

Getting married in Canada can significantly affect your immigration and residency status. If you're a foreign national, marrying a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may affect your permanent residency or Canadian citizenship eligibility.

Marrying a Canadian citizen or permanent resident does not automatically grant you permanent residency or citizenship. You must apply through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and meet specific requirements. The process can be complex, and it's advisable to consult with IRCC or a qualified immigration lawyer to understand the implications and navigate the application process effectively.

Changing your last name after marriage

In Canada, you can change your last name after marriage. This process involves updating your identification documents, such as your driver's licence, health card, and passport. Here's how you can do it:

1. Obtain your marriage certificate: To prove your marriage, you will need a marriage certificate. You can order one from the Office of the Registrar General in your province.

2. Update your identification documents: Visit the relevant government offices to update your identification documents. For example, you can change your last name in Ontario by visiting a Service Ontario centre. You will need to bring:

• Your marriage certificate
• Your current photo health card
• Your driver's licence

3. Update Your Canadian citizenship or permanent resident card: If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can update your last name on your Canadian citizenship card or permanent resident card by contacting IRCC. You will need to provide the necessary documents and complete the required forms.

Note: The information provided is general and may not apply to your situation. It's always best to consult with the relevant authorities or a qualified professional for personalised advice.