Your Guide to a Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad
Key Takeaways
- The Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad confirms that there are no legal objections to your marriage abroad.
- Applicants must visit the Global Affairs Canada website and complete an authentication request form.
- An applicant is also expected to create a statutory declaration detailing their name, marital status, and permanent address in Canada.
- Certified true copies of an applicant’s birth certificate, passport, citizenship certificate, death certificate (for widowers), or divorce certificate (for divorcees) may also be requested.
- Once all the requirements are ready, you can send them to Global Affairs or allow NotaryPro’s Ottawa partners to handle in-person delivery.
What is a Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad?
A certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad is a certificate that confirms there are no objections to a proposed marriage or civil partnership. It is sometimes required if you are planning a wedding ceremony abroad.
The Government of Canada does not issue certificates of non-impediment. Instead, Global Affairs Canada can prepare a statement in lieu of a certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad (“in lieu of” means “instead of”.)
Many foreign countries require this Certificate of Marriage in order to give a foreign national permission to marry there. This certificate confirms there are no objections to a proposed marriage or civil partnership.
Some countries require this document to be issued in Canada. They will not accept a document issued by a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate abroad. It is best to check prior to your travel dates and plan accordingly.
To get a statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad, you must do the following steps.
Step 1 | Complete the authentication request form
Fill out the appropriate section on the authentication request form. The document can be found on the Global Affairs Candidate website.
Step 2 | Create a statutory declaration with NotaryPro
You will need to provide a commissioned statutory declaration stating your:
- Full name
- Present marital status
- Permanent address in Canada (P.O boxes are not accepted)
At NotaryPro, we can quickly draft your Statutory Declaration for you. To request our drafting service, visit our legal templates online or contact or team for more information.
Step 3 | Submit certified true copies of your documents
You may be required to submit additional notarized documents, depending on your life situation:
- born in Canada: you must submit a certified copy of your birth certificate or passport
- widowed: you must submit a certified copy of the death certificate of your deceased spouse
- divorced: you must submit a certified copy of the divorce certificate
- born abroad: you must submit a certified copy of your Canadian citizenship certificate, permanent resident card, or passport
At NotaryPro, we can help you to get your certified true copies with locations in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Discover our locations online.
Step 4 | Send your documents to Global Affairs or use NotaryPro
Once you have completed all steps, you can mail your documents to Global Affairs. We also work with partners in Ottawa that can help you transit your documents to Global Affairs in Person, and guide you along the way.
Need Help?
At NotaryPro, we can help you along the way to create your statutory declaration, get your certified true copies, and help you submit your documents to Global Affairs. Contact us.