How to Get Married on a Student Visa in Canada
Every year thousands of international students move to Canada to pursue one academic program (i.e., diploma, degree, graduate, or Ph.D.-related courses) or the other. And most of these students fall under the age group of 20 – 30 and are within the marriageable age according to Canadian law.
Canadian law about marriage may vary according to province. However, once you have reached the age limit of 18 in some provinces and 19 in others, you can get married in Canada as a student.
Provinces that have 18 years of age limit include Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
Others that accept 19 years as the age limit for marriage are British Colombia, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, the North West Territories, and the Yukon.
Once you have attained the legal age for marriage in Canada, you can get married to any person of either sex.
You can marry a person of the opposite sex or the same sex. However, when you are not up to the legal age, you must bring a certificate of consent from your parents or guardian.
But, one thing that always comes to students’ minds is the question of getting married on a student visa in Canada. Getting married on a Student Visa in Canada is possible and very easy; you only have to understand the procedures to follow when you want to marry in Canada.
This article will explain the requirements, process, and procedures to actualize your dream of getting married on a student visa in Canada.
How To Get Married On A Student Visa In Canada?
You can get married in Canada as an international student at a Canadian university. The marriage process will almost be the same for a marriage between two Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- You may marry someone of the opposite sex or same sex if you are above the age of 18 years.
- If you are under 18 years, you will have to produce a certificate of consent from your parents or guardians for the marriage to stand.
- Marriages should, however, be voluntary and not forced. With the number of convenience marriages on the rise, the immigration authorities are imposing stringent rules to control such acts to discourage the misuse of the institution of marriage for immigration.
- Both couples must be present in Canada, as marriages over the internet or phone do not have legal validity.
Marriage Procedure In Canada
In most Canadian provinces, marriage procedures are similar, with only minor differences. Canada approves marriages conducted by authorized authorities in either a religious or civil marriage ceremony.
You need to find out the authorized officials who can perform your religious marriage ceremony; you would need to research the organization the authority is affiliated with and any other recent changes to the list, as well as the first and last name of the official.
On the other hand, for a civil marriage, you should check places such as a city town hall or local municipal office to conduct the occasion.
Forms Required To Be Filled For Marriage
Depending on the laws of the province you want to perform your marriage ceremony, there may be minor differences, but generally, the forms required are similar across the country. In addition, you will have to submit a marriage license or marriage declaration published by the religious organization.
Churches in Canada always publish a declaration called the Bann. Such banns should bear the signature of you and your spouse, the witness, and the performer of the marriage.
You will need forms to complete your marriage in Canada. The forms are:
- banned
- marriage license
Banns:Â
Banns are traditional religious rituals done when both of you are marrying for the first time. The full name for banns is “publication of banns.” The church uses the publication of banns to declare your intention to marry the public.
Sometimes, you may stand before the congregation to announce your intention to marry.
Before your wedding becomes official, both you and your spouse and the religious officiant must sign the banns. If either of you has married before, then it becomes necessary for you to apply for a marriage license.
Marriage license:
You may apply for a marriage license if you like. However, if you want to apply for a marriage license, you must know that it is only valid for three months and even 30 days in some provinces. So, you must be prepared to get married before the three months expires.
To apply for a marriage license, you must visit a local town hall, city hall, or municipal court. In addition, you must come with two pieces of official government documents for both of you.
The list of acceptable documentation needed for marriage in Canada is:
- a valid, current passport
- a government-issued birth certificate indicating any change of names in the past
- a record of immigration
- a Canadian citizenship card
- a valid driver’s license
- a valid Ontario photo card
You may be required to pay a fee determined by the province through which you apply for a marriage license.
How To Get A Marriage Certificate In Canada
After your marriage in Canada, you will need a marriage certificate. You must apply for the marriage certificate within 48 hours of your wedding ceremony.
The certificate must verify three important facts
- the names of both parties
- date of marriage ceremony
- the location and venue of the marriage ceremony.
Your marriage officiant must forward the above information in a signed marriage license to Ontario for processing. Your marriage certificate takes about six weeks to get processed, and you can order it.
FAQ About How To Get Married On A Student Visa In Canada?
Q. Can I get married on a student visa?
Ans. Yes, you can get married in Canada with a student visa. However, you must follow the led-down rules guiding marriage in the province you live. The main requirement is to reach the age limit of 18 in some provinces and 18 in others.
Once you attain this age, you can marry anyone in Canada. Of course, you can be from the same sex or the opposite sex. But if you are not up to the legal age, you can get a certificate of consent from your parents or guardian.
Q. What is the minimum age for marriage in Canada?
Ans. The minimum age for marriage in Canada is 16 years, but parents must consent if the spouses have not reached the age limit of the province where the marriage will take place. The age limit of most provinces is 19.
The provinces include British Columbia, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon. And 18 in the following provinces: Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
Q. What does the marriage of convenience mean?
Ans. When you talk of a marriage of convenience, you mean when a marriage or common-law relationship sponsors a spouse or partner to immigrate to Canada. It is a crime for an immigrant to marry a Canadian citizen who is a permanent resident to enter Canada.
IRCC officials are trained to detect false marriages through many means, including document checks, visits to people’s homes, or interviews with both spouses and applicants. In addition, Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are guilty of a marriage of convenience for immigration reasons may be charged with a crime.
Q. How do I report a marriage of convenience in Canada?
Ans. If you suspect that your spouse entered the marriage with you just for the aim of immigrating to Canada, all you have to do is call the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Border Watch Toll-Free Line at 1-888-502-9069.
Q. Which documents do I need to get married as a student in Canada?
Ans. You do not need unique documents as a student if you want to marry in Canada. All you need is the necessary documents required for marriage in Canada. For example, you will need banns and marriage licenses before marrying in Canada.
The banns are a traditional religious ritual done when both of you are marrying for the first time. In contrast, a marriage license is needed for a marriage to take place in any province in Canada. You must go to the province where you intend to get married and get a marriage license valid for only 90 days.
The acceptable documentation needed for marriage in Canada is a valid, current passport, a government-issued birth certificate indicating any change of names in the past, a record of immigration, a Canadian citizenship card, a valid driver’s license, or a valid Ontario photo card. After marriage, you must apply for a marriage certificate within 48 hours, and it will be ready in six weeks.
Q. Where can I get married in Canada as a student?
Ans. You can get married in any province in Canada once you meet the age limit of that province. You can also get married in the church or court. If you intend to marry in a church, you must get banns; if you want to get married in a court, you must get a marriage license from the province you intend to marry in.
