Key takeaways
Foreign nationals, including two non-Canadians, can marry in Canada without residency, provided both are physically present with valid legal status on the wedding day.
Marriage law is provincial, so requirements vary by province.
Foreign-language documents require certified translation into English or French, and may require authentication, before a marriage license is issued.
Marriage does not confer immigration status on its own; spousal sponsorship is a separate application.
Types of marriages in Canada
There are two main types of marriage in Canada. They are:
Civil marriages
A civil marriage is held at a city, town, or municipal hall. To marry this way, you apply for and obtain a marriage license, a legal document that authorizes you to marry. In Canada, a marriage license is valid for only 90 days from the date it is issued. You can apply at the municipal office, town hall, or city hall in the area where you plan to marry.
Quebec follows a different legal process from the rest of Canada. If you are marrying in Quebec, confirm the requirements directly with the Directeur de l'état civil du Québec, as its rules differ from those of the common-law provinces described in this guide.
Religious marriages in Canada
Religious ceremonies are usually held in two parts: the ceremony itself, at your place of worship, where a minister or authorized celebrant joins you as husband and wife, followed by an optional reception and honeymoon.
Some religious ceremonies use banns instead of a marriage license. Banns are a public announcement of an upcoming marriage. They are historically read on three consecutive Sundays or holy days at the couple's church parish, giving anyone with a legal or canonical objection the chance to come forward. In some provinces, banns are still recognized as a legal alternative to a marriage license for couples marrying in a religious ceremony. The banns form must be signed by an authorized officiant and both partners.
Banns are not available in every province, and because they require membership in a local congregation, they are rarely available to foreign nationals. Most foreign nationals marrying in Canada will need to apply for a standard marriage license instead.
The legal requirements for marriage in Canada
Here are the criteria you need to meet before getting married in Canada:
The minimum age to marry is 16 across Canada. Consent requirements for 16- and 17-year-olds vary by province; some require parental consent, while others require judicial authorization.
You both must be single, widowed, or divorced, with proof such as a civil status certificate, a divorce certificate, a death certificate, or a dissolution of civil partnership certificate.
You must be getting married of your own free will. Forced marriages are not considered legal in Canada. It is a criminal offense 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 must both be physically present. You cannot marry over the phone, by video, or through a representative.
You must have two witnesses present at the ceremony.
You must have valid legal status in Canada on the day you marry, such as a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit. Without legal status, you will not be permitted to marry.
You cannot marry or enter a civil partnership with someone you are related to by blood or adoption, including:
This list reflects the federal Marriage (Prohibited Degrees) Act, which restricts marriage between lineal relatives and siblings, including half-siblings and relations by adoption. It does not extend to aunts, uncles, nieces, or nephews.
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What documents are required to get married in Canada?
Document requirements are set by the province, so confirm the exact list with the municipality where you plan to marry. The most commonly requested documents are as follows.
For a marriage license
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.
Your immigration documents
Proof of legal status in Canada, such as a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit
Proof of dissolution of any prior marriage, such as a divorce certificate, annulment decree, or death certificate
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
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
A few additional rules apply:
Each document must be valid and original. Photocopies, scans, or photos on electronic devices will not be accepted.
Your identification must reflect your legal name and date of birth, and your first and last names must match across both forms of ID.
To include a middle name on the marriage license, it must appear on both IDs.
Identification can be from any country, as long as it is government-issued.
Health cards, Social Insurance Number (SIN) cards, and expired identification will not be accepted.
Translation and authentication
All documents not already in English or French must be translated by a certified translator or certified translation service in Canada.
Some provinces also require foreign documents to be authenticated through an apostille (for documents from the Hague Apostille member countries) before a marriage license is issued.
Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention in January 2024, which simplified this process for documents issued in other member countries. Because requirements vary by province and document type, confirm what is needed with the municipal office before you apply.
If your documents need both authentication and translation, authenticate first, then translate. Translating a document before it has been authenticated often means the translation must be redone once authentication is complete.
Translayte provides certified translators accredited with ATIO, ATIA, ATIS, ATIM, and OTTIAQ, with translations accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Global Affairs Canada, and other institutions. Translayte offers English and French translation to and from a wide range of languages, including French to English, German to English, and Spanish to French.
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How to get married in Canada as a foreigner
Here’s the process explained in seven steps.
Arrive in Canada
If you're a foreign national planning to get married in Canada, you must 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, contact a certified translation company before you apply for your visa, so everything is ready for the application and the wedding process without delays.
Confirm your legal status
Before applying for a marriage license, confirm that your legal status in Canada is current and will remain valid through your wedding date. Municipal offices will ask for proof of legal status, such as a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit, as part of the license application, and applying without it will delay or block your license.
Apply for a marriage license
Gather the documents listed above and complete the marriage license application form available through your local government office or website. For example, the City of Toronto's website explains how to apply and provides a link to download the form.
After completing the form, book an appointment at your local city or municipal hall to pick up your marriage license. You will be given an application number after submitting your application, which you will provide when booking your appointment.
Bring a printed copy of the completed application and two forms of identification for each of you. The cost of a marriage license in Canada varies by province, and is often set by the municipality rather than the province. Budget roughly CAD $100-$200, and confirm the exact cost with your local municipal office.
Wait a little
Some provinces or territories have a waiting period between the issuance of the license and when the marriage can legally occur. This period can range from 24 hours to a few days.
Plan your ceremony
With the legal steps in place, you can turn to the celebration itself. Select your venue, date, officiant, and any vendors you'd like to hire. Venue availability, pricing, and local rules differ by city and province, so research options directly where you plan to marry rather than relying on a generic list.
Have your wedding ceremony
You can now have your ceremony at the city or municipal hall, a church, a mosque, or another venue, depending on the type of wedding you choose. At the ceremony, you and your spouse will exchange vows and sign the marriage license along with your witnesses and officiant.
Register your marriage
After the ceremony, the officiant must submit the signed marriage license to the local vital statistics agency or equivalent authority for registration. If they do not, the marriage will not be legally recognized.
Get your marriage certificate
Marriage certificates are issued by your province or territory's vital statistics authority. In Ontario, this is the Office of the Registrar General. Each province and territory manages its own registry, so you will order your certificate through the office responsible for the province where you married.
Processing times and fees vary by province and by how quickly you need the document. Confirm current turnaround times and costs directly with your provincial registry before applying.
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Immigration and residency implications
Getting married in Canada can affect your immigration and residency status, but marriage on its own does not change it. If you marry a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, this may make you eligible for permanent residency or citizenship, but it does not grant either automatically.
You must apply through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and meet specific requirements. The process can be complex, so it's advisable to consult IRCC or a qualified immigration lawyer to understand the implications and navigate the application effectively.
Marrying in Canada on a visitor visa
You can marry in Canada while on a visitor visa or temporary resident visa. Neither citizenship nor permanent residency is required. However, marriage does not automatically extend your legal status or your permission to remain in Canada past your visa's expiry. If you plan to stay in Canada after marrying, you'll need to apply separately for a change of status or the appropriate permit.
Spousal sponsorship documents
If your spouse is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they may be able to sponsor you for permanent residence. A spousal sponsorship application typically requires:
Proof of a genuine relationship, such as photos, communication records, and evidence of shared finances
Your marriage certificate
Police certificates for both spouses
Financial proof from the Canadian sponsor showing they can support you
If any of these documents are issued in a language other than English or French, they must also be professionally translated before submission to IRCC.
Canadian wedding traditions
A typical Canadian wedding usually starts with the couple sending out save-the-dates and invitations, often using elements of their heritage or Canadian nature as motifs. It wouldn't be unusual to have a trousseau tea ceremony beforehand, where the bride's female friends and family gather, usually hosted by her mother or maid of honor, as a way to include people who won't make the wedding guest list.
As guests gather on the big day, they might see various traditions, including the Canadian twist on the unity candle ceremony, which symbolizes the joining of two families: the couple uses two separate candles to light one center candle, symbolizing the coming together of their two hearts in marriage.
Whether religious or secular, the ceremony is often personalized to reflect the couple's journey and values, followed by a lively reception. Canadian receptions are known for their warmth and festivity, featuring toasts and speeches and a dance floor that stays alive well into the night, with music ranging from a live band to a DJ, depending on the couple's background.
While many Canadians follow familiar customs like exchanging vows and rings, first dances, and bouquet tosses, there's often a personal twist. In Quebec, for example, it's traditional for the couple to cut a log together after the ceremony, symbolizing their teamwork in marriage. You might also see a beautifully decorated "sock dance," a Newfoundland tradition in which unmarried older siblings wear the most outrageous socks and dance for a collection of coins from guests.
Food often includes classic Canadian dishes like poutine and maple-glazed salmon, as well as international cuisines that reflect the couple's heritage. It's also common for couples to serve a late-night snack, such as poutine, beavertails, or Timbits, to keep guests going as the evening winds down.
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 license, health card, and passport. Here's how you can do it:
Get your marriage certificate: You'll need this to prove your marriage. Order one from the Office of the Registrar General in your province.
Update your identification documents by visiting the relevant government office in your province. In Ontario, for example, this means visiting a ServiceOntario center; other provinces have their own equivalent offices. You will need to bring your marriage certificate, your current photo health card, and your driver's license.
Update your Canadian citizenship or permanent resident card: If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, contact IRCC to update your last name on your citizenship or permanent resident card, providing the necessary documents and forms.
Quebec is an exception. It does not permit a spouse to change their surname upon marriage. In Quebec, a person's legal name is fixed at birth and does not change through marriage.
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 personalized advice.
