Getting married abroad is a thrilling experience and a memory you are not soon to forget. However, it will not be possible to proceed with the ceremony if you don’t have a certificate of non impediment. We will provide you with all the information you need in this article to get your certificate without any difficulty.
What a single status certificate/certificate of non-impediment is
A certificate of non-impediment is essentially a document showing that there are no existing objections to a proposed marriage.
What it used for
If you are planning to get married abroad, this document serves as evidence that there is no dispute about the marriage taking place. An interesting fact to note is that a single status certificate might not be required in every case because the requirements for foreign natural resources differ depending on the jurisdiction.
On the other hand, some countries might ask you to provide additional documentation. The easiest way to know what you need to provide is to contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to get married in.
Process of obtaining it in Canada
Before proceeding to the guidelines, please note that Canada does not issue certificates of Non-Impediment to marriage. Rather, you can get a statement in lieu of a certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad.
That being said, this is how you can go about it;
Requirements that need to be met
- To start the process, you need to fill out the appropriate section on the authentication request form that has been provided by Global Affairs Canada.
- There should be a declaration stating your full name, present marital status and permanent address in Canada. As regards your address, please note that P.O boxes are not accepted.
- You will be required to provide key documents that certify your validity as a Canadian citizen with the most important being your single status declaration.
- Once you have filled the request form, all you need to do is mail it alongside the provided documents and wait for a response.
Documentation required to submit
When applying for your single status certificate, your primary document requirements include a single status declaration which has been notarized by a Canadian Notary Public. You might be required to provide extra documents depending on your circumstances;
- Born in Canada: You need to submit a certified copy of your birth certificate or passport.
- Born abroad: You need to submit a certified copy of your Canadian citizenship certificate, permanent resident card or passport.
- Widowed: You need to submit a certified copy of the death certificate of your deceased spouse.
- Divorced: You need to submit a certified copy of your divorce certificate.
Where and how to do the procedure
If you are based in Canada, you can visit the Global Affairs Canada office and request for a single status certificate. If you are not in the country, you can visit the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate.
To get the certificate of non-impediment, all you need to do is fill out the application form and provide the necessary documents after which you can mail.
To make the process easier for you, the single status certificate can also be requested online. Essentially, you can fill the form and mail it alongside the mandatory documents.
Who can apply
Valid applications are reserved for Canadian citizens marrying abroad and need to prove that there is no dispute as to the marriage.
Cost and Time of procedure
The process will cost you from $13.00 to $30.00 per document.
If you are applying in Canada, you can expect a response in 50 days (10 weeks). If you are abroad, a response will be sent in 55 days (11 weeks).
