Your Guide to a Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad

Key Takeaways

• A certificate of non-impediment confirms there are no objections to a proposed marriage or civil partnership and may be required when getting married 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.
• You will need to provide a notarized statutory declaration that includes your full name, present marital status, and permanent address in Canada.
• Depending on your circumstances, you may also need certified true copies of documents such as your birth certificate, passport, divorce certificate, or citizenship documents.
• Notary Pro can help you create your statutory declaration and obtain certified true copies of the documents required for your application.

When a couple gets married, breaking up and Postnuptial Agreements are often the furthest thoughts from their minds. However, a Postnuptial Agreement is an effective legal tool that can offer both parties significant financial protection.

This Agreement can help you plan responsibly and reduce unnecessary confusion in case of divorce. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how a Postnuptial Agreement works in Ontario and how to create one that fits your relationship.

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 Notary Pro

You will need to provide a notarized statutory declaration stating your:

• Full name
• Present marital status
• Permanent address in Canada (P.O boxes are not accepted)

At Notary Pro, 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 Notary Pro, 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 Notary Pro

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.

Get Help With Your Statement in Lieu of a Certificate of Non-Impediment

At Notary Pro, 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.