Statements in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad - Updated July 21, 2022
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is getting married outside of Canada, you my need to get a statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad before proceeding with your wedding. As part of this process, you may need to submit a statutory declaration of marital status.
What is a statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad?
Many countries require a "Certificate of Non-Impediment to 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.
Canada does not issue certificates of non-impediment to marriage. Instead, Global Affairs Canada will issue a statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad.
How do I know if I need a statement in lieu?
Each jurisdiction has its own rules and requirements for foreign nationals who want to get married in that jurisdiction. Some countries will require a statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad, and some may not. Some countries may also have additional requirements. The easiest way to learn about the requirements is to contact the country's consulate or embassy for more information.
How can I get a statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad?
Global Affairs Canada is responsible for issuing statements in lieu. To get a statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad, you must do the following:
Complete the authentication request form, available on the Global Affairs Canada website
Provide a notarized statutory declaration of marital status stating your:
full name
present marital status
permanent address in Canada
Submit extra documents, depending on your situation(s):
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
Deliver your documents to Global Affairs Canada
It takes up to 15 business days to process this request, so make sure you give yourself enough time to ensure you will receive the Statement before you leave Canada to get married.
What is a statutory declaration of marital status?
A statutory declaration of marital status is a legal document in which you declare your marital status to satisfy a legal requirement.
For marriages abroad, your statutory declaration must state that you are single (never married), divorced or widowed.
Where can I get a statutory declaration of marital status?
Global Affairs Canada does not provide a template for the statutory declaration of marital status. If you need one, Downtown Notary can help. You can create your own customized statutory declaration of marital status with our statutory declaration of marital status tool for only $5.65. After you receive your statutory declaration by email, you can take it to the nearest Downtown Notary location to get it notarized along with your supporting documents.
You can also get your statutory declaration of marital status notarized online through Notarize.ca. However, Global Affairs Canada requires that the notary signs a hard copy of the statutory declaration in ink and adds their embossing notary seal. Notarize.ca can easily provide you with a signed and sealed copy of your document by mail for just $16.99 plus the cost of shipping. This is a great option if you are traveling or your schedule makes it hard for you to meet with a notary in person!
For more information on statements in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad, visit the Global Affairs Canada website.
