How to Get Married in Canada As a U.S. Citizen?

Canada is one of the most fascinating destinations for outdoor lovers. Thanks to its many lakes, rivers, and mountains, you can never be short of things to do. But these perks not only suit adventure seekers but also people seeking to tie the knot. We look into how to get married in Canada as a U.S. citizen by meeting all the marriage requirements:

 

How to Get Married in Canada As a U.S. Citizen?

The good news about getting married in Canada is that U.S. citizens face few restrictions. As long as you meet all the marriage requirements in Canada, you qualify to hold your wedding in this beautiful country, as follows:

1. Hire a venue: Good wedding venues are always in demand, and booking a venue during the early planning is integral to a successful event. Hiring a wedding planner early is also advisable to ensure you cover more ground before applying for a license.
2. Choose a wedding type: Religious and civil ceremonies are recognized in Canada. While they are both legal, the requirements tied to each are different, and you must thus understand the applicable terms to ensure your wedding goes through smoothly. We will discuss the marriage options later.
3. Prepare your documents: U.S. citizens should submit their passports and birth certificates to get a marriage license. Additionally, previously married partners must prove they are single by submitting their divorce decrees or death certificates of their previous partners. These should be originals or certified copies – check with the authority where you will get married to understand the correct form.
4. Process apostilles: Documents issued in the U.S., e.g., birth certificates and divorce decrees, are acceptable in Canada if they have apostilles. You can only get an apostille from the state that issued the original document; e.g., a birth certificate issued in California should get an apostille from the Secretary of State in California.
5. Apply for a marriage license: A wedding can only take place in Canada if you have a license. You must thus apply for one in the province where you will marry. Note that provinces have different requirements to issue a license, e.g., some require blood tests while others do not. The license will be valid for 3 months in most provinces though it can last only 30 days in others. Once this period lapses, you must reapply for another license by submitting your application documents.
6. Hold the wedding: The person officiating the marriage ceremony must have the license to do so under the Marriage Act. Additionally, you must have two legal-age witnesses at the wedding, save for the marriage commissioner and religious official.
7. Get the marriage certificate: You should sign the marriage license once the wedding has taken place, alongside the witnesses and the official leading the ceremony. Moreover, you will sign a registration of marriage form which you must send to the Vital Statistics Agency within 48 hours of the wedding. Your wedding planner can follow up on this to ensure you get a marriage certificate.

If you get married in Canada, is it legal in the U.S.? Marriage in Canada is legal in the U.S. if registered under the Vital Statistics Agency. However, not all marriages are legal, as the final decision comes down to the agency. If anyone files a caveat against the union, which the license issuer finds is an impediment to the marriage, you can face delays or denials. Thus, you should ensure you meet the conditions for marriage in Canada.

 

What are the Different Types of Marriage in Canada?

A U.S. citizen getting married in Canada can choose between a religious and civil marriage. The requirements for each type differ, and you must be aware of the preliminaries before heading to Canada.

1. Civil Marriage

Civil ceremonies fall under the Marriage Act and have the following characteristics:

• The marriage commissioner leads the ceremony,
• All partners must meet the Canadian marriage requirements plus those stipulated under the provincial guidelines,
• The marriage commissioner must sign the marriage license.

Civil marriages apply to all couples; same-sex couples can apply for these ceremonies.

2. Religious Marriage

These marriages are legal in Canada if the religious official has been licensed under the Marriage Act, and they feature the characteristics below:

• Churches determine the requirements for the spouses, e.g., Catholic churches require people to attend pre-marital classes and get parish approval from their local churches, and
• Churches may impose additional document requirements, e.g., baptismal and confirmation certificates.

If the religious official does not have a license, couples can hold a religious wedding and follow it up with civil marriage in Canada. No marriage announcements are necessary for the wedding to take place.

 

Marriage Requirements in Canada for U.S. Citizens

Anyone getting married in Canada must follow Canada marriage laws. Else, you cannot get a marriage license. So, which criteria do U.S. citizens need to meet?

1. Age: U.S. citizens heading to Canada for marriage must be at least 16 years old. However, all couples under 18 can only get married if their parents or legal guardians provide written consent. Otherwise, you must wait until age 18 to get married without parental consent. Note that different provinces impose varying rules, as some require you to be at least 19 to marry. People under 16 can only get married if they have a court order.
2. Relationships: Close relatives cannot enter into a marriage. Examples of such relationships are parent-child and siblings. If the authorities realize you are closely related by blood or adoption, you cannot continue with the ceremony.
3. Residency: U.S. citizens getting married in Canada do not need to reside there. However, all the partners must be physically present during the ceremony. Attending the wedding by proxy or virtually is not an option.
4. Marital Status: Canada does not allow multiple marriages, and U.S. citizens getting married under the Canada Marriage Act must thus conform to this norm. You must prove you are unmarried, which you can do through a divorce decree, death certificate, or single-status affidavit.
5. Witnesses: A marriage in Canada is only legal if the spouses, officiant, and two witnesses sign the marriage certificate. The witnesses must be physically present and should be of legal age.
6. Legal Capacity: Each of the parties must understand the rights and responsibilities that come with marriage.

If you meet all these requirements, is a marriage in Canada recognized in the United States? Canadian authorities will issue a marriage license to any U.S. citizen who ticks all these boxes. And once you have registered your marriage, it will be legal in Canada and the U.S., allowing you to embark on official processes like changing your name.

 

What Documents Do I Need to Get Married in Canada?

The process for getting married in Canada for foreigners is quite straightforward. Once you have the marriage license, you can finalize the wedding plans and get married before it expires (in 90 days). But to get this license, you must present the documents below to the municipal office and city hall where you will marry:

1. A Valid passport: You must have valid identification documents. And for U.S. citizens, the passport serves this purpose as it proves the following:

• Your legal name,
• Your photo ID,
• Your age,
• That you are in the country legally.

The municipal office will not accept photocopies of your passport or process expired passports. Thus, both parties must present a valid original passport in good condition.

2. A Birth Certificate: People getting married in Canada must provide at least two government-issued IDs before getting a license. As such, you must have originals or certified copies of your birth certificates. These must feature apostilles from the state that issued them to be valid for use in Canada.

3. A Divorce Decree: Canadian marriage laws dictate that all parties to a marriage must be single; else, current marriages can be an impediment. Thus, anyone who has previously married and divorced must present the original or certified copy of the divorce decree. This document must have an apostille from the state that issued it. Additionally, if you got divorced outside Canada, the decree must be reviewed before the Office of the Registrar General, which can take a couple of weeks. You must also present a statement of sole responsibility, which you sign with your partner, and a legal opinion letter from a lawyer.

4. A Death Certificate: In some provinces, widowed parties must present their deceased partners’ death certificates to prove their single status. The certificates, which should be originals or certified copies, must have apostilles from the states that issued them.

5. Written Consent: This document applies to people aged 16 or 17 who want to marry. Their parents or legal guardians must okay the marriage by presenting this vital document. People under 16 can get married in some provinces if they have a court order. But this is case to case.

The requirements vary per province; some request additional documents, while others just need acceptable IDs to issue the marriage license. Sometimes, even the license is unnecessary if the wedding is in a church or mosque. It is thus advisable to understand the specific guidelines you must follow based on where you will have the wedding.

Get Your Passport Here

 

How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Married in Canada?

The provincial guidelines in Canada vary not just in the document requirements but also in the legal marriage ages. So, how old do you have to be to get married in Canada? In most provinces, only people aged at least 18 can marry, with some provinces capping the minimum age at 19. Anyone aged 16 and 17 cannot marry unless they have written consent from their parents or guardians. In rare cases, people under 16 can marry if they have court orders. Usually, the court decides this if the bride is already pregnant or a mother.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in Canada?

Canada has eased the marriage process so much that most U.S. citizens can head here for a quick ceremony. But how much does it cost to get married in Canada? Past statistics show that most couples spend between $10,000 to $50,000. Of course, this amount varies based on your preferences, wedding location, and guest list.  But at the bare minimum, couples must spend money on things like:

• Processing valid passports,
• Getting apostilles on official documents like birth certificates and divorce decrees,
• Paying for the marriage license,
• Getting an opinion letter from an attorney (for divorced people),
• Hiring a wedding venue, and
• Paying for the reception.

Couples also spend a lot of money on accommodation, flights, decorations, and other costs during planning and executing the wedding. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to work with a seasoned wedding planner who can help keep your budget in check.

 

How to Choose a City and Wedding Venue in Canada?

Getting married in Canada allows you to enjoy various options, from intimate indoor settings to adventurous outdoorsy venues. But how can you settle on the best one?

1. Work with a planner: The easiest way to narrow your search is to consult a wedding planner. A good planner can help you find the best venues per your preferences, reducing your research time. For example, if you want an intimate setting, they can help you find the best venues as they can already picture the layout per your guest list. Moreover, they can get you a good deal since they already have connections with most venue managers.

2. Consider your style: What do you want in your wedding? Suppose you want outdoor elements dominating the pictures. Having your wedding by a lake or park would be a great option. But if you have a rustic style to implement, such settings would likely not work. Start by selecting your wedding theme, then choose options where executing this vision will be easy.

3. Focus on the space: Your guest list will affect your space choices in the following ways:

• Capacity: You want a space that is big enough to host your guests yet small enough to ensure that you only pay for what you need.
• Layout: How well can you use the space? For example, if you want to outsource entertainment, you might need a big area to accommodate this need.
• Accessibility: You want a space you and your guests can use without impediments. Suppose some guests have mobility challenges. The space should allow them to move without requiring additional help.

4. Gauge the Location: Think about how you can access the venue. Will it be far from your accommodation? Will the guests have an easy time locating it? Your wedding should be seamless, and choosing a far-flung venue can complicate this.

5. Read the Terms: Figure out the venue terms and conditions and how they will affect your experience. For example, some venues may restrict the number of guests, the kind of entertainment, the wedding hours, etc.

6. Review the Budget: Your budget determines the venues that work for your wedding. While you may want to splurge on the venue, remember that other costs will come up, e.g., decorations, the honeymoon, licenses, accommodation, etc. Thus, use the budget as a guide on what to choose for your special day.

Remember to consider the inclusions in the venue packages and choose what feels right for your big day.

 

How to Find a Wedding Planner in Canada?

While organizing a marriage in Canada might seem straightforward, a lot goes into the process. Most U.S. citizens need clarification on the different marriage requirements in the provinces. And if you want the best answer to “What do you need to get married in Canada?”, hiring a wedding planner is the best approach. And here is how you choose one:

1. Choose experience: Canadian marriage laws for foreigners dictate that you must pass some tests to prove you are fit for marriage. A wedding planner who has previously worked with U.S. citizens can guide you on how to get your license approved fast.
2. Consider reviews: A wedding planner with good reviews is always the best choice, as the ratings show that they dedicate themselves to their work. You can always ask your family and friends for referrals. And if they don’t have enough options, you can look for good planners online.
3. Review their style: Your wedding vision will only be implemented if the planner understands it. Looking at their previous weddings will give you an idea of their preferences.
4. Ask about availability: A wedding planner should be available to answer your queries, help with the license and marriage certificate, and follow up on the wedding venue and vendors.
5. Assess your budget: Look for the planner that offers the most value for your money, as this will help you cut back on costs without compromising your wedding.

Trust your gut when choosing a wedding planner. Of course, you must consider the above factors too!